The Georgetown news., 1855-11-08
The Execution of Andre.

/ Is one VI LlOot miHnLe ana interesting that /
we have ever read. ItWas furnished to Mr.
WE. G. Haeselbarth, OF RockIand county,
the history Of which he is engaged in wf- /
ting. It was taken down from the Inns Of
soldier in Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin's /
regiment, part Of which was stationed q
short distance from where poor Andre suf- /
fered:-
Zone Of our men, whose name was Arm |
strong, being one Of the Oldest and best
workmen at his trade in the regiment. was
selected to make his coffin which he did, and
painted it black, as was the custom at that
period.
At this time Andre was confined in what
IS called the Old Dutch ChuTch-a small
stone building with only one door, and close
" guarded by six scntinel5.
When the hour appointed for his execu-
ton arrived, which was at o'clock in the
afternoon, 3 guard Of three hundred men
were paraded at the place OF his c0nfno-
meut. 4 kind Of procession was formed by
placing the guard in a single file on each
side OF the road in front were 4 large num-
Der OF American officers Of high rank Oh
horseback. These were followed by the
wagon containing Andres coffin, then q
large number Of officers On foot with Andre
in their midst
The procession wound slowly up = nod
eratcly rising ground about quarter Of
mile to the west. On the top was a field
without any enclosure, and on this was a
very high gallows, made by setting up two
poles or crotohets, and laying pole on the
top.
The wagon that contained the coffin was
drawn directly under the gaIloWs. In
short time Andre stepped into the hind end
of the wagon, then on bis coffin, took Of his
hat, and laid it down; then placed his hand
upon his hips, and walked very uprightly
back and forth as far as the length Of the
wagon would permit, at the same time cast
ing his eyes up to the pole over his head
and the whole scenery by which he was sur
rounded.
Hewas dressed in q complete British uni
form. His coat was Of the brightest scar
let, faced and trimmed with the most beau
tltul green. His under clothes, vest and
breeches, were bright buff he had a long
and beautiful head Of hair, which, agreea-
bly, to the fashion, was bound with black
ribbon and hung down his back.
Not many minutes after he took his stand
upon the coffin, the executioner stepped in
to the wagon with halter in his hand. on
one end of which was what the soldiers in
those days called 50 hanrmans knot"
which he attempted to put over the head
and around the neck OF Andre; but by q
sudden movement Of his hand, this was pre-
vented.
Andre now took of the handkerchief
from his neck, unpinned his shirt collar, and
deliberately took the cord Of the halter, put
it over his head, and placed the knot direct
~ under his right ear, and drew it over
snugly to his neck He then took from his
coat pocket a handkerchief, and tied It be-
fore his eyes. This done; the officer who
commanded, spoke in rather loud voice,
and said: His arms must be tied"
Andre at once pulled down the handker-
chief which he had just tied over his eyes,
and drew from Lis pocket a second one
which he gave to the executioner, and then
replaced his handkerchief
His arms at this time were tied Just
above the elbow, and behind the back.
The rope was then made fast to the pole
over head. The wagon was very suddenly
drawn from under the gallows, which. to-
gcther with the length Of the rope, gave
him most tremendous swing back and
forth; but in few moments he hung en-
tjreIy still.
During the whole transaction he seemed
as little daunted as John Rogers when he
was about to be burnt at the stake, al
though his countenance was rather pale
lie remained hanging from twenty to
thirty minutes, and during that time the
chambers of death were never stiller than
the multitude by whom he was surrounded
/, Orders were given to cut the rope and take
mm down without letting him fall This
was done, and his body carefully laid on the
ground.
Shortly alter the guard was withdrawn
and spectators were permitted to come for
ward to view the corpse, bat the crowd
was so great that 1t was some time before
could get an opportunity. When I was
able to do this, his coat. vest and breecbes
had been taken off, and his body laid in the
colin, covered by some under clothes. The
top OF the coffin was not put on.
viewed the corpse more carefully than
had ever done that Of any human being be-
tore Ills head was very much on one side,
III consequence OF the manner in which the
halter had drawn upon his neck. His face
appeared to be greatly swollen and very
black, resembling high degree of NORTH
cation. 1t was indeed most shocking
sight to behold.
There were, at the same time, standing
at the foot of the coffin, two men of uncom-
mon short stature. They were not more
than four feet in height Their dress was
extremely gaudy. One of them had the
clothes just taken from Andre hanging on
his arm | took particular pains to learn
who they were, and was informed that they
were his servants, sent up from New I ork
TO take care of his clothes-but what 9TH