The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-06-02
The Execution of Major Andre.


when the hour of his execution announced
to him in the morning, he received it without
emotion, and while all present were affected with
silent gloom, he retained firm countenance
with calmness and composure of mind. Observ-
ing his servant enter the room in tears he ex-
claimed, "Leaye me till you 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 as usual and having shaved and
dressed himself, he placed his hat on the table,
and cheerfully said to the guard officers, sI am
ready at any moment, gentlemen, to wait on
you" The fatal hour having arrived large
detachment of troops were paraded, and an i'm
mense concourse of people assembled almost
all our general and field officers, excepting his
excellency and his staff, were present on horse
back melancholy and gloom pervaded all ranks
the scene was affecting and awful.
was SO near during the solemn march to the
fatal spot, as to observe every movement and
participate in every emotion which the melan-
choly scene was calculated to produce. Major
Andre walked from the stone house in which he
had been confined, between to of our subaltern
offic ers, arm in arm the eyes of the immense
multitude were fixed on him, who rising supe-
rior to the fear of death, appeared as if con-
scious of the dignifed department which he dis
played. He betrayed no want of fortitude
but retained a complacent smile on his counte-
nance. and politely bowed to several gentlemen
Wnom he knew, Wnlcn was respectfully
ed. 1t was his earnest desire to be shot, as be-
ing the mode of death most conformable to
to the feelings of military man, and he had
indulged the hope that his request would be
granted. At the moment, therefore, when he
came suddenly in view of the gallows, he invol
UNFAIRLY started back, and made pause
ssWhy this emotion, sir ?" said an officer by his
side. Instantly recovering his composure, he
said, 'I am reconciled to my death but l de-
test the mode"
While waiting and standing near the gallows,
1 observed some degree of repidation-placing
his foot a stone, and rolling it over, and chok
ing in his throat, as if attempting to swallow
So soon, however, as ne perceived that
things were in readiness, he stepped quickly in
to the wagon !; and at this moment he appeared
to shrink but, instantly elevating his head
with firmness, he said, 'sIt will be but momen
tary pang - and, taking from his pocket two
white handkerchiefs, the proyost-marshal with
one loosely pinioned his arms, and with the 9TH
er the victim, after taking off his hat and stock,
bandaged his own eyes with perfect firmness,'
which melted the hearts and moistened the
cheeks not only Of his servants, but of the
throng of spectators The rope being append
ed to the gallows he slipped the moose over his
head, and adjusted it to his neck without the as
sstance Of the executioner. Colonel Scanned
now informed him that he had an opportunity to
speak, if he desired it. He raised the handker-
chief from his eyes and said, II pray you to
man 20 The wagon being now removed from
under him, he was suspended, and instantly ex-
PRED Chanabers's Repository.
Cool Impudence
There is gentleman residing in Western N.
York whom, in default of his real name we Will
call the Colonel He has one son, Ned, rather
graceiess. youth, full of all the wild pranks IN
which stadsnts- generally excel. Being at home
during vacation, he corresponded regularly with
his chum, who by agreement, was to keep him
ssposted up" in regard to everything that tran
spired with him worthy of note. - OF course he
was very careful to keep all his precious epistles
from the eye Of the Colonel, and as Ned was
ssColonel Jr.," it became necessary to watch the
mail arrivals closely, as his chum wasn't very
particular in adding that distinguished feature
to his name.
One day he rode round to the Post Office, as
usual and found to his dismay that Joe, the
groom, had taken the letter and left for home
He started at gallop, but was unable to make
up the time for Joe arrived ahead. Hoping that
nothing uery bad would come of it, he marched
in to dinner as cavalierly as possible. One
glance at the Colonel's face revealed to him that
he was in for it.
The substantials being disposed of, as usual
the lady mother left the room, and left Ned and
the Colonel slipping their wine. Leisurely pull
ing the letter from his pocket, the Colonel pass
ed it to Ned, and asked him what he thought OF
it. Ned quietly perused 1t, Its contents oelng
an account of his chum's doing, ooth iaWIui, anu
ending by urging him to come without delay
Ned finished it in silence and handing it back to
his father, said:
.well, sir, considering your age and station
in life think you keep very bad company" and
before the Colonel could recover himself suffici-
entity to reply, he vanished from the apartment
-Dutchman.
nG-Suit has been brought against the Metro
politan Bank, in New York, to recover the PEN
atty of 81 900 for receiving and paying out for
eign bank notes.