New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-08-06
Kxesution Of Andre.

The following account Of Andres execution is
one of the most minute and interesting that we
have ever read. It was furnished to Mr.. viii
liam G. Haeselbarth of RocIdand county, the
history ofwhieh he is engaged in writing. It
was taken down from the lips of soldier in
Colonel Jeduthan Baidwin's regiment, which
was stationed short distance from where Door
Andre suffered
ssOne ofour men, whose name was Armstrong
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. f.. II
AT this time Andre was confined in what was
called the Old Dutch Chureh---a small stone
building with only one door, and closely guarded
| by six sentinels.
When the hour appointed for his execution
| arrived, which Was at two o'clock IN the after
ternooa, guard of three hundred men were
paraded 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 we're number of American 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 moderately
| rising ground aeout o quarter OF O mile to the
west. On the top was o field without any en-
closure, and on this was very high gallows,
made by setting up two poles or 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 to the pole
over his head and the whole scenery by which
| he was surrounded.
He was dressed in complete British uniform.
His coat was of the brightest scarlet, faced and
trimmed with the most beautiful green. His
underclothes, vest, and breeches were bright
buff; he had q long and beautiful head of hair,
which, agreeably to the fashion, was wound with
a 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 knots" which he attempted to put
| over the head and around the neck of Andre
but by sudden movement of his hand, this was
prevented.
/ andre now took off the handkerchief from his
neck, unpinned his shirt collar, and eliberates
took the cord of the halter, put it over his head
and placed the knot directly under his right ear
huu ureW IL very suuRly u ueChs f1c tHeL
took from his coat pocket a handkerchief, and
tied it before his eyes. This done, the officer
who commanded spoke in rather a loud voice,
and said, !" HIS arms must be tied.'
| Andre at once pulled down the handkerchief
/ which he had just tied over his eyes, and drew
from his pocket second one, which he gave te
the execationer, and then replaced his handker
chief His arms at this time were tied JUS
above the elbow, and behind the back. Co.,
II ho han rnon la fa Tn Da1
head. The wagon was very suddenly draw
from under the gallows, which, together will
the length of rope, gave him most tremendou
swing back and forth but in a few moment
he hung entirely still
During the whole transaction, he seemed as
J little daunted as John Rogers when he wa
about to be burnt at the stake, although hi
countenance was rather pale.
D He remained hanging from twenty to th1rt
| minutes, and during that time the chambers q
death were never stiller than the multitude b
: whom he was surrounded. Orders were give
t to cut the rope and take him down without le,
! ting him fall This was done, and his bod
carefully laid on the ground.
Shortly after, the guard was Withdrawn, an
the spectators were permitted to come forwal
. to view the corpse !; but the crowd was so gre
L that it was some time before could get an o
e | portunity. When l was able to-do this, b
coat, vest, and breeshes had been taken off, al
rs his body laid in the coffin, covered by some vi
N der clothes. The top of the coffin was not pl
on. u4
* I viewed the corpse more carefully than ha 1i
81 ever done that of any human being before. =
head was very much on one side, IN consequent
of the manner in which the halter had oraV
upon his neck. His face appeared TO De great
: swollen and very black, resembling Q high d
| gree of modification. 1t was indeed a me
th shocking sight to behold
,es There were at this time, standing at the fd
sv of the coffin, two young men of uncommon she
70 stature. They were not more than four fl
high. Their dress was extremely gaudy. Y
of them had the clothes just taken from Ans
II hanging on his arm. l took particular pains
~ 2 learn who they were, and was informed u
to they were his servants, sent up from New Y.
in to take care of his clothes---but what other
all siness did not learn.
now turned to take view OF the exe'
, TONER, who was still standing by one of
- posts of the gallows. walked near enough,
~ him to have laid my hand upon his should
III and looked him directly in the face. ne
re- peared to be about twenty-five years Of agei q
beard of some two weeks growth ana his W.
=, face covered with what appeared 70 me ~ NJ
Il been taken from the outside OF greasy po..
more friehtful looking creature never pehe
Ia His whole countenanoe bespoke him TO DC q
, NJ instrument for the business he had been dol
ldue. T remained upon the spot until scarcely tive
and ,,arsons were left but the coffin was still be-
ss.s f The crave which had previously been dug.
rem rem returned to my tent with my mind dee
,.u ;mhued with the shocking scene which