Grass Valley telegraph., 1855-10-09
THE EXECUTION OF ANDRE.


The following account of Andres execu-
ton is one Of the most minute and interest
ing thatwe have ever read. 1t was taken
down from the lips of soldier in Colonel
Jeduthan Baldwins regiment, a part of which
was stationed short distance from where
poor Andre suffered.
Gone of our men, whose name was Arm
strong being one of the oldest and best work
men at his trade in the regiment, was select
ed to make his coffin, which be did, and paint
ed it black, as was the custom at that period
GA this time Andre was confined in what
was called the Old Dutch Church-a small
stone building with only one door, and close
ly guarded by six sentinels.
"When the hour appointed for his execu-
ton arrived, which was at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon, a guard of three hundred men
were naraded at the place of his confinement.
A kind OF procession was formed by placing
the guard in single file on each side of the
road. In front were large number of Ame-
rican officers of high rank on horseback
These were followed by the wagon containing
Andres coffin, then a large number of officers
on foot, with Andre in their midst
''The procession wound slowly up mode
rately rising ground about quarter of a mile
to the west. On the top was field without
any inclosure and on this was very high
gallows, made by setting up two poles OF
crotchets, and laying pole On the top.
! "The wagon that contained 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 walked very uprightly back and
forth as far as the length of the wagon would
permit, at the same time casting his eyes up tc
the pole over his head and the whole scenery
by which be was surrounded.
He was dressed in a complete British uni
form. His coat was of the brightest scarlet
faced and trimmed with the most beautiful
green. His under-clothes, vest and breeche;
were bright buff he had long and beautiful
head of hair. which, agreeably to the fashion
was wound with black ribbon and hung
down his back
"Not many minutes after he took his stand
upon the coffin, the executioner stepped into
the wagon with halter in his hand. on one
end OF which was what the soldiers in those
days called "a hangman's knott which he at
tempted to put over the head and around the
neck of Andre but by sudden movement o.
his hand, this was prevented.
"Andre now took off the handkerchief from
his neck, unpinned his shirt-colIvr, and delib
erately took the cord of the halter, put it over
his head, and placed the knot directly under
DIS right ear, and drew it very snugly to his
neck lie then took from his coat-pocket a
handkerchief: and tied it before his eyes. This
uone' the officer who commanded spoke in
ratner loud voice, and said
7'S arms must be ted
Andre at once pulled down the handker
cniel wnicn ne had just tied over his eyes. and
J are" from his pocket second one. which he
gave to the executioner, and then replaced
his handkerchief
IBIS arms at this time were tied Just above
the elbow, and behind the back
'Ihe rope was then made fast to the pole
overhead. The wagon was verv suddenly
drawn from under the gallows. which +oootb.
er with the length of rope, gave a most tre-
mendous swing back and forth but in = faw
moments he hung entirely still.
During the whole transaction he seemed
as little daunted as John Rogers when he wa,
about to be burnt at the stake, although hi,
countenance was rather pale.