The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-11-23

Il was at CnaC tlHlc dAl dTIiACtT III OCiOne1
Jeduthun Baidwin's regiment, q part of which
was stationed within short distance Of the
spot where Andre suffered. One of our menU
believe his name was Armstrong; being one Of
the oldest and best wOrkmen at his trade iG
the regiment was selected to make his coffin,
which he perfected and painted black, agree
ably to the custom in those times. At this
time Andre was confined in what was called a
Dutch Church, q small stone building with on
ly one door, and closely guarded by six senti-
nels. When the hour appointed for his exec
cutiOn arrived, which believe was two o'clock
=. NJ, . guard of 800 men were paraded at
the place of his confinement. A kind of pro-
cessfon was formed, by placing guard in sin
gle file on each side of the road. In front
were large number of American officers Of
high rank On horseback.
These were followed by wagon containing
Andres coffin then large number of officers
on foot, with Andre in the midst The process
sion moved slowly up moderately rising hill,
l should think about a fourth Of . mile to the
West On the top was field without any en-
closure. In this was very high gallows, made
by setting up two poles, or crotches, and lay
ing pole on the top. The wagon that con-
tanned the coffin was drawn directly under the
gallows In short time Andre stepped into
the hind end of the wagon then on his coffin
took off his hat and laid it down - then
placed his hands upon his hips, and wslked
very uprightly back and forth, as far as the
length of his coffin would permit at the same
time casting his eyes upon the pole over his
head, and the whole scenery by which he was
surrounded. He was dressed in what should
calf complete British uniform his coat was
of the brightest scarlet faced or trimmed with
the most beautiful green. His undcrclothes,
or vest and breeehcs, were bright buff, very
similar to- those worn by military officers in
Connecticut at the present day. He had
long and beautiful head of hair, which, agree
ably to the fashion, was wound around with
a black ribbon, and hung down his back. -
All eyes were upon him, and it is not believed
that any officer of the British army, placed in
this situation, would have appeared better than
this unfortunate maB.
Not many minutes after he took his stand
upon the coffin, the executioner stepped into
the wagon, with halter in his hand, which he
attempted to put over the head and around the
neck of Andre; bat by a sudden movement of
his hand this was prevented. Andre took of
the handkerchief from his meek, unpinned his
shirt collar, and deliberately took the end of
the halter, put it over his head, and placed the
knot directly under his right ear, and drew it
very snugly to his neck. He then took his
handkerchief, and tied it over his eyes. This
done, the officer that commanded This name l
have forgotten) spoke in rather a loud voice,
and said that his arms must be tied. Andre
at once pulled down the handkerchief he had
just tied over his eyes, and drew from his pock-
ct second one, and gave it to the cxecutioncr,
and then replaced his handkerchief. His arms
fioI oh fho oil oN1 hoI, ipl
the back. The rope was then made fast to the
pole over head. The wagon was very suddenly
drawn from under the gallows, which, with the
length of the rope, gave him most tremen-
dOus swing back and forth but in few min
utes he hung entirely still.
During the whole transaction, he appeared
as little daunted as Mr.. John Rogers is said to
have been, when. he was about to be burned at
the stake !; but his counteEancc was rather
pale. He remained hanging, should think,
from 20 to 80 minutes aud during that time
the chambers of dcaih were never stiilcr than
the multitude by which he was surrounded. -
Orders were given to cut the rops s4nt take
him down, without letting him fall. This wars
done, and his body carefully laid on tho ground
Shortly after, the guard was withdrawn and
spectators were permitted to come forward and
view the corpse; but the crowd was co gr""t
that IL WIS sometime before l could get an OPP
portunity. When was able to do this his
coat, vest and breeches were taken off, and his
body laid in the coffin, covered by some UNDER
clothes. The top of the coffin was not put on.
L viewed the corpse more carefully than had
ever done that of any human being before. -
His head was very much on one side, in cOnse-
quenee Of the manner in which the halter drew
upon his neck. His face appeared to be great
ly swollen, and very black, much resembling a
high degree of modification. 1t was indeed a
shocking sight to behold. There were at this
time, standing at the foot of the coffin, two
young men of uncommon short stature.
should think not more than four feet high. -
Their dress was the most gaudy that ever be-
held. One of them had the clothes, inst taken
from Andre, hanging on his arm, took par
ticular palms,. and found they were his SER
wants, sent up from New-York to take his
clothes; but what other business l did not
learn.
l now turned to take view of the execu-
toner, who was still standing by one of the
posts of the gallows. walked nigh enough
to him to have laid my hand upon his shoulder,
and looked him, directly in the face. He ap-
peared to be about Is years of age, his beard
of two or three weeks growth, and his whole
face covered with what appeared to be black
ing taken from the outside of greasy pot A
more frightful looking being 1 never beheld !;
his whole countenance bespoke him to be fit
instrument for the business he had, been do;np.
Wishing to see the closing of the whole bust
ness, remained upon the spot until scarce 20
persons were left, but the coffin was still beside
the grave, which had previously been dug. 1
now returned to my tent, with my mind deeply
imbued with the shocking scene 1 had been
called to witness"
That HaystaeIe
Theprecise location Of the haystack beneath
whose protection, Mills, Hall, and few others
at Williams College prayed into existence the
Foreign Missionary operations of this country