The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-03-30
tror the Literary Echo
Execution Of Major Andre.


No scene more melancholy can be
imagined than the execution of Major
Andre. From the time that he had un-
fortunately fallen into the hands of the
enemy, until the last moment Of his
mortal, we can behold nothing in his life,
character which does not excite within Us
the strongest emotions of sympathy and
sorrow. When told that he must die
he heard the sentence with calmness
and resign alton, which clearly evinced
that he vas well prepared for any result
however terrible. But when at length
the time came that he must bid adieu to
things earthly, it was then that his mag
nanimity, his real greatness, his true
sense Of honor, were blen led together in
such manner as would have done honor
to the death of Il Christian martyr Let
the reader glance for moment in i'm
agination at that melancholy sight.
The fatal hour has at length arrived
In almost every direction as far as the
eye can reach, are seen an immense
concourse of people ascending together
to witness the mournful scene The
unfortunate victim at length makes his
appearance, clad in uniform, marching
slowly along assisted by two subaltern
officers The eyes of the vast multitude
are Immediately drawn towards him.
His department is digniGed and graceful,
and his countenance calm and serene,
amidst the countless thoughts which are
crowding upon him. Perhaps for a
moment he thinks of far distant mother
left to weep over the ignominious death
of her only son. As thc gaallows comes
in sight he is startled for an instant, as
he realizes for the first time, the dis
graceful death to which he must be SUBJ
jected. He had long since expressed
the wish that he might not die on glib
bet, yet even this innocent request is
denied. But in his own language,
A" buoyed above the terrors Of death by
the consciousness Of a life devoted to
honorable pursuit." naught which he
felt or saw could in this moment Of ter
ror disarm him. Without assistance he
steps firmly into the wagon and after
saying it will be but q momcntary
pang," he binds the bandage around bis
eyes and adjusts the fatal cord to his
neck The scene is now affecting in
the extreme. The eyes of the vast
multitude are suffused with tears. There
is one universal expression Of grief. The
old soldier who has been accustomed to
scenes of blood now turns aside to weep
When asked if he has anything to say,
Andre raises the bandage from his eyes,
and in clear voice he exclaims, I" l
pray you bear me witness that meet
my fate like brave man " The wagon
is now removed, and the victim after .
momentary struggle passes into the en-
brace Of death /!
Thus ended the mortal life of one
whose rare fortune it was to die not
more beloved by his friends than lament
ed by his foes. The sudden and igno-
minious death of this promising young
man cannot but excite in tho mind of
the reader the deepest feelings of sym
pathy and regret A few days before
glorious career was full in view. In
ten short days how blighted the pros
pect i! He was called to exchange the
victors wreath for tho fatal rope; tho
glittering sword for the gloomy sbroud !;
and the song Of victory for the requiem
OF the dead.
The question has ofton been asked
could not this melancholy result have
been prevented' Ought not humanity
to have intereferrod in behalf OF one so
lovely and promising Could Andre
have been spared consistently with the
honor Of the nation, the sword Of Justice
would not have been raised. Consider
ing him as he acknowledged himself to
be, voluntary spy, there Was no other
This was the deliberate
judgment Of Washington, when with
feelings Of the deepest regret he sane
toned the sentence pronounced upon
him. Many years havo passed away
since this mournful event, yet the name