The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-12-05

| might have been given to summary punish-
inent nt The nearsst tree, or g the justice g
have objected. By al good men u wonld have
| been Judged one ofthose occasions whom society,
rising, moves more rapidly and terribly IN the
punishment OF those who threaten her exist-
encr, than does that law which has emanated
| FROM herself. But Virginia forbore. Her chief
magistrate Pile. ged the faith Of the State for a
| fair trial Itwas given. az John Brown himseii
was forced to admit, even after his uugrutefui
| rejection of hts earnest and faithful Virginia
counsel, Messrs. Green aud Bolts. Facilities
| were afforded 10 the defence Of every proper
kind. Eminent counsel for defence were wei.
| coined by the prosecution, and the taunts OF
/ inefficient and presumptuous lawyers We're
calmly borne; and then, after the finding Of the
jury, long period elapsed previous 10 theex-
| ecution. All this IL now seen to be for the
/ best. The North can say not one word against
Sirginia. The South has had an example Of
1 true greatness and commanding moderation
exhibited for her imitation. The honors nj.
ready ours have been increased, and the sons
Of the Old Dominion may shout aloud anew
4 for their loved State.
The last actin the drama Of which "Old John
Brown" bore the chief part, came of to-day,
i in this place, viz: The execution. The day
opened beautifully. The heavy clouds that
hung along the eastern sky reflected most
spisndidiy the rays of the rising sun. Very
early the roll Of the Srum was heard in every
part of our town, and ere long columns and
| squares of troops were seen moving through
| the streets. You could see the entinels NOV.
ing IN their quiet watch in almost every direc.
rising OF the sun, 50 that long previous to IN
/ time appointed for the hanging everything
connected Herewith was In readiness. On
| the southeastern skirts Of the village, distant
about three-eghts of q mile, lay !. field of
| about fffy acres, making part of some eleyat-
ed land In that quarter. On the swell OF a
small hill toward the southern part of said
| field, was placed the scaffold. A place more
| appropriate could not have been chosen. West
| and north lay Charestown in full view. On
the east and south doomed up the Blue Ridge,
from whose recesses Brown had come down
| like the bird OF prey pouncing on its victims,
| carrying carnage and death before him. TO-
| ward the south and west stretched away one
of the most beautiful districts of the FAR famed
| Valley Of Virginia, while awav outon the ex-
| treme west loomed the lofty North mountain.
| erection of the scaffold, and was well paid for
my trouble Many things conspired TO rem
| der the scene intensely interesting In the
| woods, not far off, and the fields adjoining,
| might be seen the scouts, on foot or mounted.
At intervals, around and within the large
| field, the sentineis were slowly moving to and
| fro, their FURNISHED arms cleaning in the light
| of the morning sun. The workmea were busy
completing the arrangement OF the gallows.-
| All around small white flags were flying near
the ground, designating the positions of the
| various bodies OF troops, and OF the citizen
| spectators. Several prominent officers, richly
| equipped were riding to and fro on restless
chargers. Soon the troops began to enter.
Not adrum was heard. dor funeral note,"
but slowly and silently they proceeded to their
| various posts.
Abou,9 O'Clock, Col. Smith, Of the Military
| Institute, appeared on the field of execution,
| mounted, and took charge Of the military ar
| rangements. The guards even at that early
| hour, were rounding the posts in the field.
having in their charge nuraber of civilians
| who had been led by curiosity to approach
| without the countersign. Soon the elegant
corps from Harrisonburg, Captain Gibbons,
and the Alexandria Rifles. Capt. Marye, en-
| tered, and stations were assigned them spe-
| cial guard, to preserve order among the an
| tjcpated crowd. They appeared as long lines
| of sentinels parallel with the fencing. In a
| few moments the Cadet Battalion, uuder
| Majors Gillian and Jackson, marched slowly
| in and took position in front of the scat
| fold at the distance of about 40 yards. The
| Infantry was fanked on either wing by a
| Howitzer detachment. This body of troops
| appeared to fine advantage, marching with as
| tonishing precision, whether with or without
| music. They exhibit, in addition, power OF
| endurance that makes the heaviest military
| duties light TO them They were uniformed
| on this occasion in grey pants and red shirts,
and made beautiful display. The right and
/ left wings of the corps of Cadets Were cccu-
pied, respectively, by company A, of the First
1 Regiment Virginia Volun teers, under Capt. Ell.
| liott, and company F. under Capt. Gary. Capt
| Ashby, of the Fauqnier Horse mounted on his
| splendid white charger, acted as special patrol
20 see that the arrangements separating oiti-
| Zens aud strangers were carried out. His
/ troops, scattered here aud there around the
| field, presented with their scarlet uniform, a
| very picturesque appearance.
| At about9H A. NJ, Capt. Harry Hunter took
charge of the large gate at the nor ia west cor.
ner of the field. His command consisted OF
about % men, armed with the most elegani
| Minnie guns, with sword bayonets. Being citi.
| zens of Charestown, the duty of separating
| those recognized as citizens from strangers
| q vrar sfa.
toned ON the eastern side of the field the stran.
| gers on. the west. The brave Lieut.. G reen,
| of the United States Marine corps, commanded
| the latter position with a detachment of the
| Alexandria Artillery. This officer led the
| charge AT Harperis Ferry on the engine house
| en- tered at the head OF the storming party, anG
gave Brown the terrible blow over the head
| that prostrated him. He had on that morning
| am told. only light dress sword, that was
| shattered by the blow. According to his re-
| ported statement, if he had struck the blow
with his own sword, he would have severed
| Browns head from his body. He has been here
| ever since the arrival of the Richmond troops
| claiming the honor of leading the fight agains
| the abolition rescuers, should they come
| Hence the honorable position assigned him
| this morning.
Gen. Taliaferro, and a numerous staff
| noun tied, proceeded 10 the place Of execution
at about is minutes of II O'Clock. At exactly
Ii A. M. the prisoner was brought out at
| tended by Capt. Avis. the jaiior and Mr.
Campbell, sheriff, and placed in a light
| colored spring wagon, drawn by two bay
horses. He was seated on his coffin and theI
| driven slowly TO the gallows, u nder the mill
| tary escort mentioned in the General Order
No. 7, as above. The battalion was com
| manded by Col. August, who was mounted or
| a jet-black charger, splendidiy caparisoned
The procession arrived at the scaffold at HDoul
minutes after Ii O'Clock. Capt. Brown ap
peared in fine spirits. He came from the iai
| with arms pinioned behind his body Imme
diately on appearing in view OF the escort hi
commenced to smile and bow to those around
with whom he was acquainted. He was Offered
his choice, either to walk to the scaffold OF
ride On the road he conyersed freely with
those riding in company with him, expressing
great admiration OF the surrounding country
saying that 1t was the first opportunity h.
had had of viewing it. He said tina. he ha6
not any fear of death, but that to part from
friends-some of them recently made-wa.
marked TO him, Capt, Brown, you are
game man" In answer, Brown. said, u
never knew fear-have been ed1cated bJ
thirty years experience not to fear death
His surprise on seeing so few citizens pre-
sent on the field ofexecution was considerable
his admiration at the magnificent miiitar,
display manifest. Accom- pan led by Capt. Avis
and Mr.. Campbell, and Ed. a. Gallaher, Esq
he ascended the scaffold with firm tread
Immediately the cap was drawn over his eyes
and without giving evidence Of the slightes
emotion, he stood erect, while his feet were
drawn together by cord, and the fatai moose
adjusted around his neck. Sheriff Campbell
asked him if he had anything to say. He an.
swered, aNothing; do not keep me standing
| unnecessarily long" Mr.. Campbell then ask.
ed him IL he would give the signal with 9
/ handkerchief, and his answer was, No; am
| ready and wait your conveniencen He then
shook hands with the thres or four person,
on the scaffold. At Is minutes past II o'cioch
the drop fell, when, with scarce struggle
the spirit Of the prisoner passed from EARTH
The body remained suspended thirty-seyen
.fo~zes Z -