The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-06-13
From Harper's Magazine.
THE EXECUTION OF ANDRE.

On Independence Day we took a steamer
for the county Of RockIand, determined to pass
the Fourth in peace and quietness, and DESTROYS
Of refreshing our patriotism amidst scenes hal
lowed b. the sacred memories Of the Revolu-
tion We visited Washington'S headquarters
at the little village Of Tappan, the 'Seventy-SiX
fIgUsr,' where Andre was confined, the place
where hp was executed, the grave where he
was buried. and whepce be was exhumed. We
conyersrd with venerable lady who gave him
bur beautiful peaches on the morning IN which
he went forth TO die 'He thanked me with a
sweet smr, she said. But, somehow or moth
rr, be didn't seem to have no appetite. He on
IL bit into one of 'enl.'
Standing nv his grave, we could see across
the broad Hudson, the very place where he was
arrested by Van Vert, Williams and Paulding,
aud the cleaning of the white monument erect
1T TO their memory the place where W WaShIng-
ton stood when Andre went forth 10 die, and
,br slone house where he was taken to die up
On ga!Iows.
The following account OF Andres execution
is onp of the most minute and interesting that
We have ever read. 1t was furnished by Mr..
William @. Haspbarth, of Rockand county,
lhe history Of which he is engaged in writing.
It was taken down from the lips of a soldier in
CoIonri Jrduthan BaIdwin'S regiment, part
Of which was stationed short distance from
where poor Andre suffered
One Of our 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.
At this time Andre was confined in what was
called the Old Dutch Church-a small stone
building with only one door, and closely guard
ed BY SIX spninels.
When thr hour appointed for his execution
arrived, which was two O'Clock in the after
noon, guard OF three hundred men wrre para
aed at the place Of his confinement. A kind of
Nocesslon was formed by placing the guard in
Shgie file on each side OF the road. In front
We're large number of American officers Of
a'!h rank on horseback. These were followed
.Ytht wagon containing Andres coffin, then a
!aige number Of officers on foot with Andre in
hrjr midst.
lhe procession wound slowly up moderate
flsIng ground, about quarter Of a mile TO
We West On the top was field without any
'"cosore, and on this was very high gallows,
maze by setting up two poles or crotches, and
@ylnS pole on the top.
HE wagon that contained the coffin was
GFa"n directly under the gaIlows. In a short
u'he Andre stepped into the hind end of the
wagon, then on his coffin, took off his hat and
IA ,!d down, then placed his hands upon bis
ups and walked very uprightly back and forth
S lar as The length ofthe wagon would permit,
., 'le same time casting his eyes up to the pole
I'eF hs head, and the whole scenery by which
s"e was surrounded.
lie was dressed in complete British uni-
;',",, HIS coat was of the brightest scarlet,
a'ea and trimmed with the most beautiful
s'een, HIS under clothes, vest and breeches
%tFs bright buff; he had long and beautiful
~Faa Of hair, which, agreeably to the fashion,
~, ss "euhd with black ribbon, and hung down
'''t maay minutes after he took his stand
sp'n TIE coasn, the executiooer stepped into
wagon With halter in his hand, on one
~. "u ot %fHch vas what the soldiers in those
@H called 'hangmau's knot which he at
-'F'eo 10 PV' oPer the bead and GROUND the