Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-06-11
Written for the Yorkville Enquirsr.


Mes,rs. Editors In accordance witha promise
made by me to one of your numberin recent
letter, send the following contribution. The
melancholy story of Col. HAYSE to which itrefsrs,
is too prominent feature in our revolutionary
annals, for there to be any necessity that il bsre
counted ,full. The subjoined extracts, however,
may te useful in refreshing the memory Of your
readers with regard to the circumstances, imme-
distey connected with bis execution, the. details
Of which may not be wildly remembered BY ell,
and more especially by those Of the present gene
ration: ~
"Col. HAYNE subscribed declaration Of slle-
glance to the King Of Great Britain, but With an
express condition that he never should be- called
upon to take up arms against his country: Not
withstanding, he was soon called upon to take up
arms and Join the British, and upon refusal he
was threatened with close confinement; this indu-
ced him to consider himself as released Of engage
ments with the British and he took the command
of regiment Of his countrymen; he was soon
after taken by party of British horse, carried
into town and in little time executed without
trial" ."-Aoultrie's Memoirs, HoG H-p. al,
4 n ~.
'The procession began from the Exchange in
the forenoon of the 4th Of August 178l. The
streets were crowded with thousands Of anxious
spectators. He walked to the place Of execution
with such decent 6rmness, conposure and dignity,
as to awaken the compassion Of many, and 10 COM
mand respect from all. There was ms5esty In
his sufferpgs which rendered him superior tho
ed and the instrument Of his catastrophe, appear
ed full in view, faithful friend by his side OBJ
served to him that she hoped he would exhibit an
example Of the manner in which an American Gan
die." He answered with the utmost tranquility
Il will endeavor to do so.'"-Ramsd,ys Rsuolution
of South Carolina, Vol. lip. 2S3.
The thoughts expressed in the following lines,
are supposed to have suggested themselves 10 Elm
when alone in the loathsomeiprovoat prison, onths
early morning of the day upon which he MAS exc.
cuted:- -
Haynes soliloquy on the Morning OF his
Execution.
'Tis come; my dread, my fearful lot
Presses anon; you grass-growrspot
Beholds me, with the dawning light,
Ushered into the gloom Of night,
Anight eternal, dark and dfear,
Nor friend, nor foe, may aid me there,
Nor cen may hope my bosom cheer
And shall die despised, unknown,
My grave unmarked, without stone,
Shall future years my deeds misdeem,
Nor even shall the kindly beam -
+ Ofloving friendship, pierce the gloom, -
That shroulds In night the nameless tomb,
Of him who dies traitors doom -
"ris false; ah who that word shall hear; 5=='
IT'S false but who, oh who, may dare
The charge unfounded to deny;
Cast in the slanderers teeth the lie; -
Nv life defend preserve my fame;
My pride, my acts, my fate, proclaim
And gain due honor for my name, ~
'Tis come yon rolling sea Of light IF
Sweeps onward with restless might;
Back the dark shades of night are hurled,
And morn beams beauteous on the world.
So dawns, within my swelling breast,
Amorn as glorious, and more blest,
Harbinger Of eternal rest.
Murder me then upon yon heath; ,Es-
Aye! let me die felons death;
Ye cannot kill the thought which cheers
My soul thy violence 1t dares;
For tits immortal, and shall last
Till 70 be in oblivion cast,
And Englands name rank with the Past
Tradition fixes the Citadel Greer, as the spot
upon which he was executed. = :.