The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-10-21

A cruel act OF grace was this commute,
ton When the first sentence had been
read over to him, be had remained cold and
impossible; not muscle Of his proud face
stirred. lie did not fear death !; be had
locked il in the face many time without
finching. and to die in the open air. pierced
by dozen balls-a soldiers death-what
should he care much for that! But when
be was informed that he had TO run the
gauntlet twice through his company, after
having been previously degraded, be trem'
BLEED for the first time in his life. lie knew
of many soldier who had run the gauntlet
thrice through a whole battalion, and not
been the worse for it after all he knew OF
some that had even married afterwards, and
brought up families of children; he was full
" aware that the issue Of this terrible tor
ture depended entirely upon the dispositions
OF the men. Dreadful reflection Above
all, be thought Of the shame, the dishonor-
and his proud heart was well nigh giving
way.
On the evening previous to the punish
ment, the second rifle battalion Of kheren-
huller infantry would have been unfit for
service; the men were drunk. They had
got up carousal in joy and honor OF the
coming day. But in the morning they were
sober enough The drums ceased to beat as
soon as the prisoner had arrived in the mid
die Of the square; his escort fell back. He
stood alone near the right wing Of the com.
pany. There was q dead silence: not res
piraton was to I've heard from all the thou.
sands gathered on the spot. The command
ing officer read the sentence over to him for
the second time. This done, he exhorted the
men, accordinn TO custom, TO dispense with
all feelings of compassion, and TO do their
duty confor mably TO the law. The colonel
went through this part Of the formality in
a quick and hurried manner, as il he were
unwilling to perform it. So he was he
knew but too well that in this instance there
was no need whatever for exhortation. These
preliminaries being over, the prisoner was
delivered into the hands of the provost.
When the latter tore of from his uniform
the golden lace and gallOOns-the marks OF
his military rank-throwing them, together
with the gold medal, at his feet, the face of
| the unfortunate man became purple, and his
dark eyes flashed fire. When he was strip
ed of his coat and shirt, aud placed at the
entry of the terrible street through which
he had to pass, he became pale again. Two
soldiers went ahead Of him; they marched
backward with their bayonets presented at
his breast, so as to force him 10 keep meas
ure to drum which brought up the rear.
| The drum was muiiled its slow and dismal
beats sounded like the music Of funeral
procession.
When he received the first stroke his
features assumed an expression OF pain, and
his firm set lips quivered slightly. This
was, however, the only sign Of sensation.
| Crossing his arms over his breast and press
ing bis teeth close together, his proud face
remained henceiorth immovable. His mer.
CHESS enemies enjoyed but an incomplete tri-
umph after all they might slash his body
in pieces, but his proud and indomitable
spirit they could not break. The blows de-
scended with fearful violence upon him.
After the first dozen blood came but never
did he utter one single exclamation OF pain ;
never-not even with look-did he implore
Tor mercy. An expression Of scorn and dis
dain was deeply get on his face, az pale rs
death. When he had reached at last the
left wing Of the company, his laccrated back
presented a frightful appearance Even his
most exasperated enemies might well have
been satisfied now il it had been but posi-.
bic, the commanding officer himself would
have interccded in his behalf; bat this was
not even TO be thought Of; the law must
have its course They faced him right
about he had TO make the same way back
again.
There was one formality connected with
this punishment which was a cruel barbar'
GUS and shameful mockery the delinquent
/ had 10 thank his executioners for his tor.
/ lures.
When the victim had arrived at the file
leader Of the right wing Of his company
and the dreadful execution was over at last
be threw one last. long look. full OF conte mpt
at his tormentors. Then be was seen stag
gering like drunken man, towards the com
manding officer His eyes, swollen with
| blood, beamed with an unnatural brightness
his respiration was short and painful and
touching his head with his right hand, in
token OF the military salute, be said II a
voice that came out Of his throat with a
rafting but that was nevertheless distinctly
audible all over the place; " | have 10 thank
your honor for this exquisite punishment,
and Tell down dead.