Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-04-10


given by an eye witness, has been extracted
from the Historical Collections of New Jersey
81 was at that time an arti6cer in Colonel
Juduthun Baldwin's regiment, part of which
was stationed within short distance of the
spot where Andre suffered One of our men,
IL believe his 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 performed, and painted
black, agreeably to the custom in those times.
AT this time, Andre was confined in what was
called Dutch Church, small stone building
with only one door, and closely guarded by six
sentinels. When the hour appointed for his
execution arrived, which. / believe, was two
o'clock, p. m, guard of three hundred men
were paraded at the place of his confinement.
A kind of procession was formed, by placing
guard in single 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 their midst. The pro
cession moved slowly up moderately rising
hill, should think about a fourth of mile to
the west. On the top was field without any
enclosure. In this was very high gaows,
made by setting up two poles, or crotches, and
laying 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 walked very up
rightly back and forth, as far as the length Of
his coffin would permit at the same time cast
ing his eyes upon the pole over his head, and
the whole scenery by which he was surrounded
He was dressed in what should call com
plete British uniform; his coat was of the
brightest scarlet, laced or trimmed, with the
most beautiful green. His under clothes or
vest and breaches, were bright buff very SINH
lar to those worn by military officers in Con-
necticut at the present day. He had long
and beautiful head of hair; which, agreeably
to the fashion, was wound with black ribbon,
and hung down his back. All eyes were upon
him and it is not believed than any officer Of
the British army, placed in his situation,
would have appeared better than this unfortu-
nate man.
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 but by sudden movement Of
his hand this was prevented. Andre took off
his handkerchief from his neck, unpinned his
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 from
his coat pocket handkerchief, and tied it over
his eyes. This done, the officer that commanded
his name have forgotten) spoke in rather
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 pocket n second one, and gave it to the
executioner, and then replaced his handkerchief
His arms were tied just above the elbows, and
behind the back. The rope was then made
fast to the pole over head. The wagon was
very suddenly drawn from under the gallow,
which, with the length of the rope, gave him a
most tremendous swing back and forth; but in
few minutes 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 countenance was 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 were given to cut the rope, and take
him down without letting him fall This was
done, and his body carefully laid on the ground.
Shortly after, the guard was withdrawn, and
spectators were permitted to come forward and
view the corpse; but the crowd was so great
| that it was some time before / could get an OPP
portunity. When / was able to do this, his
coat vest and breeches we're taken off, and b IS
body laid in the coffin, 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 before.
| His head was very much on one side, in con-
sequence of the manner in which the halter
drew upon his neck. His face appeared to be
greatly swollen, and very black, much resem-
bling high degree of modification. 1t was in
deed 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 Of the most gaudy that ever
beheld. One OF them had the clothes Just taken
from Andre, hanging on his arm. | took par.
tcular pains 10 learn who they were; and, was
informed that they were his servants, sent up
from New York, to take his clothes; but what
other business, did not learn.
now turned to take view of the execu.
toner, who was still standing by one ofthe posts
Of the gallows. / walked nigh enough to him
to have laid my hand upon his shoulder, and
looked him directly in the face. A more fright.
full being / never beheld, his whole counte-
nance bespoke him TO be fit instrument for the
business he had been doing. Wishing to see
the closing of the whole business, / remained
upon the spot until scarce twenty persons were
left, but the coffin was still beside the grave,
which had previously been dug.
i now returned to my tent, with my mind
deeply imbued with the shocking scene had
been called upon to witness.
|
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