The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-06-01


from Newgale prison, where he was then
lying under sentence of death, for forgery
on The Board of Ordinance; butI am in.
clined, ailer search, 10 think the confession
itself forgery. No doubt the rascal de
served hanging Thousand Zines, had he
possessed as many lives. have thus
skelcbed to the reader the man who was
the chief performer in the brutal act i now
record.
"Capi,a punch, This lieutenant" said he,
raising The cupto his mouth. al learnt
this rule TO make it from coronet of the
Blues, twenty years ago. Never put a
drop of the acid in whisky, bu, only the
skin oflhe lemon. That's the favor, boy"
The officer nodded approval "Speedy
promotion, and confscation of The lands of
rich whigs,---thal's the loast," added Gun.
ningham, again. as he filled another cup.
The lieutenant made no reply. He was
gentleman in his feelings, and the brutality
of the other, rising as the punch went
down, met with no response from him.
At this moment the voice of The sentinel at
the main gate Of the prison was heard.
"Who advances .here!"
"1'he court martial guard, with a pris.
oner"
Halt, court martial guard. Officer of
The prison guard !"
81 am called" said the lieutenant, spring.
ing up, and hurrying out of the apartment.
Cunningham took up his bunch of keys,
muitering something about "more rebel
spawn of The devil and followed The Of
iicer. When he got into the corridor. or
passage way, many OF Ihe American prs-
oners were looking eagerly towards the
door, TO see the newcomer in misfortune
approach. This was enough for the pro.
'oJL Flourishing his keys, he roared like
a mad bull, in his customary language,
ordering the prisoners 10 their cells.
The prisoners had no other course but
TO obey. They retired to their crowded
cells. and the keys were turned on them
for The night.
The file Of solliers had entered and re.
nrrh, leaving a young man prisoner, the
officer in command handing Cunningham
'he warrant of commllal. The wretch,
10 half drunken tone, read it aloud:--
G. r. ...
TO William Cunningham, Esq., Proposf
Marshai The Royoi .iImy, Greeting:
You will receive in custod, the body Of
Nathan Hale, caplain IN The rebel army,
Tins day lrled aud convicted as "A spy.-
You will further see him hung by the neck
unIl dead, tOmoroO morning, at dug
bredk, for which lhls shall be Your warran,
Of execution God save lie KING!
Given at head quarters, New York.
lh,s 2ls day OF November. l776, under
ny hand AID seal al arms.
-. u..s p. .. WILLIAM llowE,
C0mmdnder.in. Chief.
"Good! You have brought yourself to
a pretty end--lhe end Of rope-my
Young cock, aiul youl" said the brute,
holding lamp 10 Tie face Of the young
man.
The person addressed glanced al Gun.
ningham with look Of contempt, but
made M reply. His age was about twen.
y, aud his figure well knl but very slender.
The expression Of his face was highly
intellectual. and strongly marked with dig.
nlty and frmness. Ills dress was the
coarse garb OF Il country man of the day,
and his hands were tied behind him with
a cord. There he stood, in tue corridor of
The old Jail, doomed ,icnm, yet erect, a
MAN, On The eve pf eternity, in the pre-.
sruce Of his ruilian execullOner.
"Sullen dog. IN with yc aud say your
prayer. These are our last quarters T"
Saying this, Cunningham uoluckrd a
grated, vacant room, aud pointed for Capt.
Hale tu enter. ..
81 wish my hands united, Bible, two
or three shre's Of paper, and pen and
INK. The president Of the court martial
granted s.e this request, for | wish to write
a last leuer 10 my parents and sisters. -
Ills voice iai'ered a lillie as he spoke this
sentence. .... ..'...
"a Bible! That's a good one! PRAY,
will lye when hell's in view! No, M; in,
IN, saw" ..
The lieutenant Of The guard inlerferred
and after some brutal language OH the pari
Of Cunningham, the simple request was
partially granted. His hands we're united
pen, paper and ink, with light furnished
and The door was locked upon him. Ii is
well kno%n that Hale wrole several letters,
but the courage and lorlluje their contents
displayed, caused their destruction BY the
BRUSH officer, into whose hands they fell.
What passed in his lonely cell can never
be known; but he was born aud bred
ChrsIian, and his last moments were mark.
ed with singular fnrtiwde.
At day break his cell was unlocked, and
the young man was iuund dressed and
ready for execution. lis wrists were
manacled with handcuns, rupe pul
around his neck, aud led by the negro
hangnan OF the provost, aud guarded by
file ol soldiers, he was taken uut to die.
Cunningham, accompanied by the necessa.
~ officers as Witnesses 10 them a disa.
grerable duty :, followed il the rear. .
The place Of execution was an old bu.
rylng ground situated on the upperside Of
Chambers street between Broadway and
C'nUe slree,, nUw hulh upon. A range