Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-05-11
JOLIET, ILLINOIS, MAY IL, ls47.

6enteQ the next morning, upon the Dattle
field. More than half the tories were eli.
Their slain or wounded. In state of in
sensibility, Captain Morton was conveyed
by means of litter to the patriot camp
where his wound was properly attended
to by one ofthe soldiers considerably skill
ed in pharmacy. Upon recovering, he
found Major Henderson bending over hin
with all the tender solicitude Of FOND
mother endeavoring TO trace some auspi-
cious change in the eountenance of hel
sick child. Recognizing him, he held out
his hand and was aboet to express his
gratitude, when Major Henderson, by the
authority OF the nurse, enjoined him to
keep silence, as talking might injure him
in his weak state.
Towards evening the party left their
encampment and proceeded TO the camp
Of Gen. Marion whittier the supplies we've
destined. Two O'Clock the next day they
arrived. Having delivered up his charge,
Major Henderson proceeded to furnish
comfortable quarters for Captain Morton
bis late enemy. A week passed, and the
wounded man was fast recovering and
Major HENDERSON had again been sent
out for the purpose Of seeking more sup
plies for the army.
In the meantime, man by the name
of earns. a captain in Gen. Marion's ar
my, and formerly neighbor of Captain
Morton, but his implacable enemy, had
industriously circulated the report that
Captain Morton had belt nged to the con-
ttnental troops, aud had, at the commence
ment ofthc war, been connected with the
detachment of which he was captain but
had deserted to the British. This was
serious accusation and one which General
Marion could not overlook. If Captain
Morton was proven 6eserter, it became
his duty to execute him as an example TO
others. He accordingly instituted an in
quiry which resulted in the knowledge
that the said earns was ready to bring
forward sufficient evidence of the truth of
his accusation. A trial was therefore
appointed, to take place the next week.
Captain Morton was allowed to defend
himself, and every means was taken to
procure evidence Of his innocence. In
the meantime, Isabella. the affectionate
daughter, was not idle in her fathers be-
half. She had procured the promise OF
two witnesses, who, for many years, had
been acquainted with Captain Morton,
and knew him to have been staunch
tory from the commencement of the dis
pute between England and her revolted
colonies.
The day at lengh arrived, the an1iously
expected day, which was to decide the
fate of the accused. The hour approach.
ed and yet the witnesses for the defendant
did not arrive. At last one came. The
other, but the day before, was killed by
the falling of tree. Thus did it seem as
if the last ray of hope was shut out from
the wretched parent-wretched only in
view of the orphan state of his daughter.
The witnesses were examined. Those
against the accused testified as earns had
before done. They were two in number.
He for the defendant stated clearly and
distinctly what the readsr has already
been made acquainted with; yet, the a.
mount of evidence in support of the accu-
pronounced the sentence of death upon
him. Before the decision was given, Is
abella had exhibited unaccountable grief,
but as soon as she heard the sentence
which would consign her father to dis.
graceful and ignominious death, her tears
ceased to fow-her breast swelled with
emotion, yet no other Sign of distress did
she exhibit. Her mind seemed occupied
with some strong resoIve-some mighty
purpose. Capt. Morton was kept under a
strong guard until the day of execution
should come which was to take place in
eight days from the time sentence was
pronounced. Isabella departed for home
with promise Of returning in few days.
Time rolled away-ihe fatal period has
tened to its contamination. The eighth
day arrived and yet the distracted father
in vain awaited the return OF his daughter.
No tidings of her could be obtained. She
left her home nearly week before with
the intention as the neighbors supposed,
to revisit her father. Whittier she had
gone no one knew.
Wretched indeed, was the parent, as
the hour of execution approached. She
in whose life his own seemed bound up.
was absent, and he was about to die
without one last embrace from Isabella.
The unified drum proclaimed that the Pc
Rod had arrived when Capt. Morton was
about to launch into that undiscovered
whence there is no return" The
soldiers were arranged in order, and their
deeply sorFowful countenances showed
the sincere commiseration they felt for
the condemned; and the malignant and
revengeful glances every where castupon
the accuser and his accompliees plainly
proved the almost universal belief of the
innocence of this victim of private hatred
and individual revenge.