The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1855-02-03
'voLuME xv-ko. ssi4hSf me.


the Historical Collection of New Jersey
4 was at the. time an artifcer in Col Jedu-
than Baldwin's regiment. a part of which was
stationed within short distance from the spot
where Andre Suffered. One of our men, (I be-
lieve his name was Armstrong; being one of
the oldest aud best workmen at his trade in the
regiment was selected to make his coffin. which
he performed and painted black, agreeably to
the custom in these times. AT this time, Andre
was confined in what was called a Dutch Church,
a small stone building with only one door, and
closely guarded by six sentinels. When the
hoQF appointed for his excution arrived, which
I.|.,5 81 - 81 & |;,l; E = ss,ss re-:
confinement. q kind nf process:off was formed,
by placing guard in single file on each side Of
the road. In front was large numlsees 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 upa moderate rising hill, I
should think about 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 crotchets, and lay
ing pole on the top. The wagon that
tanned the coffin drawn directly under the
gaows In short time Andre stepped into
the hind end of the wagon; then the coffin
took off his hat and laid it down--then placed
his hand upon his lips and walked very uprghtly
back and forth, far the leng u 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 call q complete
British uniform; his coat was of the brightest
scarlet, faced or trimmed with the most beauti-
full green. His underclothes vest and breecl-
es, were bright buff, very similar to those worn
by military officers in Connecticut of the pre-
sent day. He had long and beautiful head
of hair; which, agrceably to the fashion, was
wound with black ribbon, and hung down his
back. All eyes were upon him; and it is not
believed that any officer in the British army,
placed in his situation would have appeared
better than this unfortunate man.
Not many minutes after he took his stand
upon the coffin, the executoner stepped into the
wagon with a halter in his hand which he at
tempted to put over the head and around the
neck of Andre but by "a Sudden movement Of
his hand, this was prevented Andre took off
his handkerchief from his neck, unpinncd his
shirt collar, and deliberately took the end of the
halter, put it over his head, and placed the
knot directly under the right ear, and drew it
very saugly to his neck. He then took from
his coat pocket handkerchief and tied it over
his eyes. This done the officer that commanded
(his name l have forgotten) spoke in rather
loud voice and said that his arms must he tied
Andre at once pulled down the handkerchief he
had just tied over his eyes, and drew from his
pocket another one, and gave it to the execu-
TONER, and then replaced his handkerchief.
His arms were tied just above the elbows a.,d
behind his back. The rope was then made fast
to the pole over his head. The wagon
very suddenly drawn from under the gaows
which with the length of the rope, gave him IL
most tremendous swing back and forth; but in
few minutes he hung entirely still
During the whole transaction, he appeared az
little daunted as Mr. John Rogers is said to
hay hQpn W Whpn hp oh TO l., h,,r,
the stake; but his countenance rather pale.
He remained hanging, / should think from
twenty to thirty minutes; and during that time
the chambers of death were never stiller than
the multitude by which he was surrounded
Orders given to cut the rope and take him
down without letting him fail. This was DONE
and his body carefully laid on the ground
Shortly after, the guard withdrawn and
spectators were permitted to come forward and
view the corpse; but the crowd was so great
that it some time before / could get an
opportunity. When ] was able to do SO, 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 other human being before. His
head was very much on one side, in consequence
of the manner in which the halter drew on his
neck. His face appeared to be greatly swollen
and very black, much resembling high degree
vi IuOTIillCdtiOl1. IL WAS lHuCed
sight to behold There was at this time stand
ing at the foot of the coffin, two young men Of
uncommon small, stature. should think not
more than four feet high. Their dress the
most gaudy that | ever beheld. One Of them
had the clothes just taken from Andre Oh his
arm took particular pains to learn who they
we're; and was Informed that they were his ser
| wants, sent up from New York to take his
clothes, but what other business did not learn
now turned to ia Ike view of the eyccutioner
who was still standing by one posts of the gall
lows. l walked nigh enough to him to have
laid my hand upon his shoulder, and looked him
directly in the face He appeared to be about
twenty-five years Of age, his beard of two or
three weeks growth and his whole face covered
with what appeared to me to be backing from
the outside of greasy pot. A more frghtfnI
looking being ] never behe!d. Wishing to see
the closing of the whole business, l remained
! upon the spot until scarce twenty persons were
left, but the coffin still beside the grave
| which had previously been dug. l now return
| ed to my tent, with my mind deeply imbued
with the shocking scene l had been called to
witness.
| ADOPTION OF CHILDREN.-A bill is before the
| New York legislature to authorize such persons
or societies or may be authorized to bind
out by indenture any child to be an apprentice,
clerk, or servant, to bind such child as a child
by adoption instead of apprentice or servant,
and to change its name, and such child shall
| Al