The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1853-06-18
From Chambers Repository.
Execution Of Major Andre.

The principal officer. who was constantly in
the room with the prisoner relates that when
the hour of his execution was announced TO
him in the morning, lac received II without
emotion, and while all present were affected
with silent gloom, he retained firm counter.
ancc, with cnlmness and composure of mind
Observing his servant enter the room in tcars.
he exclaimed, leave mo til You can show
yourself moro manly" His breakfast being
scnt to him from the table Of General Wash
ington, which had been done every day Of
his confinement, he fsrtpok Of il as usual;
and having shaved and dressed himself he
place.! his hat on the table, and checrfuy
said To the guard officers, ~ ann ready at any
moment gertlcmcni tn wait on you' The
fatal hour having arrived, large detachment
of troops were paradcd, and nm immense con.
course of people assembled; almost al our
general and field officers; excepting his excel
lcncy and staif, were present on horseback
melancholy and gloom pcrvadcd all ranks
the scene was affecting and awful.
was 80 near during the solemn march Ia
the FATAL spot, as TO observe osery movement
and participate in every emotion which the
melancholy scene was calculated to produce.
Mljor .,G;l,S; walked from thc st,SyS m,sIe
in which he had been confined, between two
of our subaltorn officers, arm in arm the eyes
of the immense multitude were fixed on him,
who, rising superior to the fear of death, mp.
pcnrcd as IL conscious of the digniiicd dcport-
ment which hc displayed. lie betrayed no
wani nf fnrtitu,lus huf rcfatnnl "A
smile on his conihicnnncc, and politely bowed
10 several gentlemen who hc knew, which was
respectfully returned. Ii was his earnest dc.
sire to he shot, as being the mode of death
most comfortable TO the feelings of military
man, and hc had indugcd tho hope that his re-
quest would be granted AZ that moment,
therefore, when he came suddenly Ia view of
the gnllows, he involuntariy started back, and
made pause. "Why this emotion, sir2" said
an officer by bis side. Instantly recovering
his composurc, he said ~ am rcconciled to my
death but dctcst tho mode"
While waiting and standing near the gallows;
l observed! some deSree nf .rG,,i.a -placipg
his foot on stone, and rolling IL over, and
choking in his throat, rs if fattcmpting TO swal-
roW' So SVon, poWcNcr, aS ne perceived that
things were in readiness, hc stepped quickly
into the wagon and at this moment he appear
cd to shrink; but, instantly clcvating his head
with firmness, hc said, "ft will bc but mo.
Incntary pang;" and, taking from his pocket
two white handkcrchcfs, the provost marshal
with one loosely pnioncd his arms, and wiisi,
tic other victim, after taking of bis hat and
stock. bandagesl his own eyes with perfect firm.
ness which melted the hearts and mostcnci
the checks, not only Of his servants but Of the
throng Of spectators. The rope being appcn.
tled to tho gnllows, hc slipped the moose over
his head, and adjusted il to his neck without
the assistance OF tho cxccntioncr. Colonel
Scanned now Informed him that hc had an
opportunity 10 speak, if he desired II, liz ,al.
scd the handkerchief from his cyes and said,
~ prny you bear me witness that meet my
fate like n brave mani The wagon being now
! removed from under him, he was suspended.
and Instantly expired