The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-06
The EXECUTION OF JOHN BROWN.

The EXECUTION OF JOHN BROWN.
ann cuApI,RsTOwN CORRESPONDENTS
cnAmsrows, Va. aDcc. 2, 1852
-. n.....,. firm. dae Prison to the Gra~-His e."
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Sssy-Asa.oa' O0asss as % Lsfs being Estsncg-.an AZ
ss* I,aT Dsa0-S0dy Delivered to lis via <sar-
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ytslx9 igiA tie Mails, de-, &C. ~1-Ian,
HARIEsrowS THE MORNING BEFORE m
All this beautiful morning, ever SIM ArcuroS
reeps have Deem parading, march, e'dayore&, me
uard, and the mounted rangers ha, ~ ana mounting
nd down the streets as an inva 20 been galcpng up
few miles distance. Indeed Ang army were within
lcte the picture Of war; ey ching Is wanted to
sad and wounded Of whc cspt the bringing in Of tho
e yet nome Breakfast A,remarkaOg enough, there
repaired that meal Eover-some Of the troops have
,rds and the rest their camp fires in the church
,nsariss Of this xve got it AZ they could in the cara
vht has arr~ besaguered town. The hour Of
N is formr "a, and now the army OF occupa-
stern 81 e in companies. In front and at the
ass no DO Of the Jail are two twelve pound
,oahe ~it.ers, belonging 70 the Petersburg artillery
~ piece Of like caibre is stationed the road lead
Ine Geld Of execution. That company, with white
Aers their three oornered hats, with antquely
~ coato yellow buff breeches and Hessian boots, Is the
Winchester Oontnentals Notwithstanding that they have
cen service for the last six weeks their uniforms look
bright and their well polished. The Young Guard,
Of Richmond, Capt. Rady, resting on their arms in
Ae street facing the jail The Petersburg Greys, Capt
0so occupy position in the Court House yard and tho
German Rifles, Of Richmond, drawn up in line in front
u the Carter House. Company F, Of Richmond, is sta
kactront cF
b h civilians dress, and armed with carbne rifle and
sword bayone are on the south side Of the jail This
esnpany with red Shirts white belts and glazed
sspe which Is marching up toward the field with two
brass hewzers the Virginia Cadets, from the Licking
IN Military Institute. They all youths, but their SOL
dierly bearing and handsome appearance elicit general
admiration Among them marches old Edmund Ruain
wh white locks streaming behind him. In every direction
NE scouts who have got red Shirts part Of their
UNIFORM riding in hot haste. Generals and colonies
and staff officers enough for the whole French army are
displaying their epaulettes and dress swords with i'm
Aense satisfaction to themselves and appearing to be
worry busy. Col Davis swho had been in commander.in-
chief before Tahaferros appointment and who now
ouartermaster General Of the army rides about plain
sAsthes, with Colts pistol fixed carbne stock flung
his shoulder On all the roads leading to the town
pequets stationed TO prevent the approach of country
q erectualy 70 check all circulation All industrial
pursuits except such connected with the supply of
he army are suspended and in fact have been for the
het six weeks.
GROUND
With the greatest trouble and difficulty, and the exer-
oe Of all the powers Of fattery with which at least
enber Of the press richly gifted, Gen. Taaferro
WAS prevailed on to give the reporters chance Of wit
ssndocted them to the ground and they were ASSIGNED
position 10 the south Of the scaod and about hun.
ased and fifty yards from it
SCENES on THE GROUND.
me scahold stood in the centre Of the ned. 1t looked
1st unlike stand that might be erected for speakers at
pubic meeting, except for the rope that danged from the
oentre the croesbeam fight Of some twelve steps
I'D TO the stand None but troops the representatives
q NE press were admitted into the field The fences
guarded partly by the Fauquer cavalry-a set Of fine
looking red shrted fellows, splenddly mountedand part
BY some Infantry companies Down in the valley, at
On the east companies were stationed TO guard against
surprise.
ARRIVAL OF TIE GENERAL AND STAFF
About half past ten General TAaierro staff arrived
sn The ground. The General wore an undrcss uniform
,nM Win scarlet . sash around S waist The officers Of
captain Ashbys brigade, Familiarity known the "Back
Knights" rode into the field
ONE OF THE WOUNDED HARPKR's FERRY FIGHT.
mere came also on the ground about the same time
ssckavay wagon containing Of the persons wounded
Il the fight at Harpers Ferry-Mr Samuel C. Young
vhe desired Browns last on the scaod
He drew his vehicle just behind the Virginia Cadets
aihern curtain at the back he gave his whole attention
e the progress Of the tragedy little colored boy in
was also present, as aid TO the General.
SPECTATORS
The hed was marked out with white signal flags indi
cate the position which the troops occupy. The
nag Of Virginia planted beside the scaod and of
There were but few civilians, certainly not over hun
dred within view; and-be said TO the credit OF the
CAArestown ladies-not single member Of the gentler
sex made her appearance near the ground
observed at the windows which commanded view Of the
place Of execution also remarked that there were
NO colored people among the spectators.
PROCESSION.
At five minutes before eleven the gstening bayonets
the advance guard entering gate from the
direction Of the jail First came troop Of cavalry sir
abreast then regiment Of infantry marching in columns
then common country wagon, drawn by two grays and
containing the condemned man. Behind 1t marched the
winchester Contnentas followed by the remainder Of
The escort in the order assigned it, The wagon stopped
from the spot where the reporters stand until four
are observed walking up the steps. The first Brown.
2 BROWNS HEARING.
Cooly and bravey, and with much apparent uncon-
he about TO address political meeting he
mounts the scaod, advances forward takes Off his hat
runs his hand through his bushy gray locks, and then
turns round and shakes hands with the Sheriff Without
moments delay the rope placed round his neck his
white linen cowl drawn his face. In that atti-
tide, erect as drill sergeant, motionless statue
with not the slightest visible tremor or agitation
not the most insignificant manifestation Of fearohe stood
for fully twelve minutes, while the troops taking up
their positions in the various parts Of the field His face
warmly
and the pleasant breeze played about him for the last
the.
MOMENT.
At length the companies all at their posts: the
Sheriff and jailor bade Brown final goodbye and de-
seconded from the scaod turned my face from the fear
Sul spectacle. Soon a dull falling sound came on the ear
and then some near me remarked, There the last
u Old Brown" He then in the convulsve agonies
Of DEATH the few slight muscular twtchngs Of the hands
ceased, and was thought that within four minutes
q the drop he had ceased 70 exist After being sus-
pended for some twenty minutes, four DOCTORS Nessr
Mason, Cook Starry and John A. Straigh, made
m examination as to whether any life remained.
They found pusation other sign of life. Nearly
score OF surgeons attached TO the military companies
among them Dr.. Graham Of the Virginia Military Insti-
tute-als0 made examination. In thirty five minutes
after the drop fell the body taken down. placed in
walnut CONN and conveyed back TO the prison attended
by the medical staff The troops defled OF the field
and returned To their quarters in town. and the majesty
Of the law was vindicated, far John Brown was
concerned
RowNs PROGRESS FROM Tm PRISON THE GRAVE
Nothing seemed capable Of subduing Brown courage