The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-05-26

THE EXECUTION OF MAJOR ANDRE.-The
principal guard-otiicer, who constantly IN the
room with the prisoner, relates that when the
hour OF his execution was announced To him IN TIE
morning, he received il without emotion, and while
all present we've affected with silent gloom, he re-
tanned firm countenance, with camness and
composure Of mind Observing his servant enter
The room IN tears, he exclaimed, Leave me ill
YOU show yourself more manly His break
fast being sent to him from the table of General
Washington, which had been done every day of
his confinement, !e parooI Of it usual and,
having shaved and dressed himself, he placed his
hat on the table, and cheerfully said TO Ihe guard
officers 81 am ready al any moment, gentlemen,
to wait on yop.'' ,, he fatal hour having arrived
large detachment Of troops paraded, and
an Immense concourse Of people assembled !; al
most all general and field officers, exc piing
his cNceliency and his staff, were present on
horseback melancholy and loom pcrvaded ali
ranks-the scene was affecting and awful.
VAS 80 near during the solemn march te the
fatal spot, as to observe every moy yement and par
ucipaie IN every emotion which the melancho,
scene was calculated to produce. Major Andre
walked from the s;one-hOuse IN which he had been
confined, between two of our subal!ern officers,
arm IN arm: the eyes Of the immense multitude
We're fixed on him, who. rising superior to The
fear Of death, appeared if conscious Of the DIG
nliied department whieh he display yed. He be-
tdyed 40 want of foritude; hut retained IA COM
placent smile on his countenance, and politely
bowed TO several gentlemen " Eom he knew which
was respectfully returned. Ii was his earnest de-
sire to be shot. as beng the mode OF death most
conormabe to the ieellrg> oi military man, and
he had Indulged the hope that his request would
/ be granted. AT the moment, therefore, when be
came suddenly IN lew of the gailows, he invo-
unfairly started back, and made pause 'Why
this emotion sir - said an officer by his side -
Instantly recovering his composure, he said, 81
am reconcled to my death but l detest the
mode
! While waiting and standing near the gaows,
| observed some degree of trepidailon- acing
his foot on a stone, and rolling il over, and chok
ing in his throat, as if attempting 10 swallow. So
soon, however, as he perceived that things were
in readiness, he stepped quickly into the wagon I;
and at this moment he appeared 10 shrink; but.
instantly elevatlng his head with lirmness, he SAID
"lt will be hat mOmentary pang;' and, taking
from his pocket two white h4ndkerchiefs, the pro-
vo>t-uarshal with one looslv pinIoned his arms,
and Ith the other The victim, after taking oft his
hat and stock, bandlged his own eyes with per
feet trmness, which melted the hearts and moist
ened the cheeks. not only Of his servants. but Of
the ihrong Of spectators. The rope beng appen-
ded TO The gaows, he slipped the moose over his
head, and ad JUS ed 1t 10 ms neck without the as
sis,ance Of the executioner. Col Scanned now
informed him that he bad an opportunity to speak,
If he desired it. He raised the handkerchief from
his Eyes and said II pray YOU To bear me W.T.
ness that | meet my fate like brave man -
The wagon being now removed from under him,
he was suspended, and Instantly explred.-- Cham
bers' Repository.