The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-04-29


The principal guard-officer, who was con-
stantly in the room with the prisoner, relates
that when the hour of his execution was an.
nounced to him in the morning. he received il
without emotion, and while ell present were
affected with silent gloom, he retained firm
countenance,. with calmness and composure
of mind. Observing his servant enter the
room in tears, he exclaimed: "Leave me till
you can show yourself more manly.'' His
breakfast being sent to him from the table of
General Washington, which had been done
every day of his confinement, he partook of it
a. usual; and, having shaved and dressed him
sell, he placed his hat on the table, and cheer
fully said to the guard-officers, Il am ready
at any moment, gentlemen, to wait on you. %
The fatal hour having arrived, a large de-
tachment Of troops were paraded, and an i'm
mense concourse Of people assembled; almost
all our general and field officers, excepting
his excelIency and his staff, were present
Ion horseback; melancholy and gloom per-
vaded al ranks-the scene was affecting and
lawful.
Twas so near during the solemn march to
he fatal spot as to observe every movement
md participate in every emotion which the
melancholy scene was calculated to produce.
Major Andre walked from the stone-house in
which he had been confined, between two of
our subaltern officers; arm in arm; the eyes
Of the immense multitude were fixed on him
who, rising superior to the fair of death, ap-
psared as If conscious of the dignifed deport-
ment which he displayed. He betrayed no
want of forttude; but retained complacent
smile on his countenance, and politely bowed
IN opat rh~r l,l -
was respectfully returned. TWAS his earnest
desire to be shot, as being the mode of death
most coniormable to the feelings of military
man, and he had INDUCED the hope that his
request would be granted, At the moment
therefore. when he came suddenly in view of
the gallows, he Involuntary started back and
made a pause. "Why this emotion, sir!"
said an officer by his side. Instantly recover
ing his composure, he said, IL am reconciled
to my death; but detest the mode"
While waiting and standing near the gall
lows | observed some degree OF trepidation---
placing his foot on stone and rolling it over
and choking in his throat, as if attempting to
swallow. So soon, however, as he perceived
that things were in readiness, he stepped
quickley into the wagon; and at this moment
he appeared to shrink; but, instantly elevating
his head with frmness, he said, at will be
but a momentary pang;" and, taking from his
pocket two white handkerchiefs, the provost
marshal with one loosely pinioned his arms
and with the other the victim after taking off
his hat and stock, bandaged his own eyes with
perfect frmness, which melted the hearts and
the cheeks, not only of his servants
but of the throng of spectators. The rope
being appended todhe gallows, he slipped the
moose over his head, and adjusted it to his neck
without the assistance Of the executioner.
Colonel Scanned now informed him that he
had an opportunity to speak, if he desired it.
lie raised the handkerchief from his eyes and
said, 81 pray you to bear M witness that /
meet my fate like brave man." The wagon
being now removed from under him, he was
suspended, and instantly expired.
Chambers's Repository.