Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-13
OAMp Ransom, NEAR CHARLgsrowN,
December 8. 1859.


the Spectator.
The West Augusta Guard left Stanton, as you
are aware, on Sunday morning, 9th November.
We arrived safe in Washington city about hall
past O'Clock, P. NJ, of same day, where we re,
manned over night, very comfortably qnsrtered
at the National Hotel. By O'Clock MONDAY
morning we, in company with our friends the
Monticello Guard, had partaken of something OF
q second band breakfast prepared lot US at the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station House, and
were on board the train en- route FOR TINS place.
AT the Relay House we were Joined by three
comnanies of volunteers from Portsmouth and
Norfolk We arrived at Oharlestown about s
O'clock 10 the evening, in good spirits and condi
tion. except the feeling of fatigue from the two
davis travel After the hurrying to aud fro Of
the crowd assembled at the Depot-some to meet
friends and acquaintances, others drawn thither
from curiosity to get sight Of those arriving, the
pulling and tugging at trunks, oyercosts and bag
gage generally, all was again quiet and we were
conducted to our quarter about one hall mile
from Oharlestown, on the premises of Mr..
Ransom. kind hearted, generous gentleman,
who has done everything in his power to make
our stay here comfortable and pleasant We
found on arrival here some 1900 troops quarter
ed ia aud around the town, and the addition OF
the three companies which joined US at the Re-
Law House, the Monticello Guard and our COM
pany augmented the number TO about 1900 men
in all. Being at last safely and quietly lodged in
our quarters, each one of US began to feel the
need OF something Of the substantial with which
to refresh the inner man, viz something TO eat {;
and to procure which our Quarter Master, Mr..
ID. Buoher, was very soon hurrying down town,
and ere long returned, having in charge barrel
of excellent soda crackers and several pieces OF
fat bacon, which | must confess at first sight
appeared little encient and probably under dit
ferent circumstances would have been voted en-
tirely uninviting. But after the cooking of q
plentiful supply and each man supplied with q
piece of no small dimensions and his allotted
number of crackers, we could have been seen
seated around on the grass, with fingers well
creased discussing in quiet content the merits OF
our hasty and to us rather unusual meal. Our
dinner aud supper both over-for by the necessi-
ty of circumstances we were compelled 10 con-
slider the one IS both-and being much fatigued
with our journey, we were all very soon in read
mess to By ourselves down to sleep not upon
beds soft and easy, but upon pile Of long straw
in q corner of the room, with which we had been
bountifully Supplied by our kind host, Mr.. Ran
son.
But alas for our fond hopes of good nights
sleep " dreams, pleasant and undisturbed; for
at an early hour we received orders informing
Us that we were required to do duty that very
night, and forthwith every man Of Us shouldered
his musket and marched off to the post assigned
him, to hallol through the long hours of the
night, "Who comes there 2" az every unwsry in.
diyidual who happened to cross our path or come
within the limits of our observation. We found
ipnCmerabe reports in circulation in regard to
the rescue of Brown by his party at the North.
Oue day we would learn that there were 800
men a short distance off in the mountains. An
other report was there were 1900 men marching
against Oharestown, and would certainly mako
an attack upon us very soon, and hundred aud
one reports of similar kind was every day circu-
lated through camp. And had you been here,
Messrs. Editors, think your usual suavity Of
manner would not have been proof against hi
larity, aud you would have been tiokled into 8
good hearty laugh, could you have heard the
general remarks made by our boys upon the ar
rival of some new intelligence OF the movements
of the enemy, which was generally proceeded
with in the following style: Well John, Jim OF
Jake, as the might be, think we are bound
to have a brush tonight. And so do |, was the
invariable reply. Well, how many do you thiul
we can wh:p1 Oh, fully twice our number, o.
course, was question as often settled in the at
frmatiye as discussed.
But Friday the I'd day of December has come
and gone, aud happily for the peace of Virginia
for the reputation of our common country, and
for all the high and holy bonds which bind US to
gether in great bond of Union and brotherhood
the mandate of the law has been strictly yet. qul
city enforced justice has been melted out to thu
ira nsgressor of the laws of God and man, and NJ
traitorous hand has been uplifted to stay her on
ward course in the execution Of her duty. This
scaffold upon which the doomed man was exc
clted was erected some half mile from the towr
in large field containing some ten or htteer
acres. The field was laid off and staked-the
stakes being about fifty feet apart, on each OF
which was hung o small white flag. The sewers
companies of Military entered the field at
o'clock, a. NJ, and took up their positions as
signed them by an order issued the day previous
forming two hollow squares Within the inner
one stood the scstfold aud between the inner and
outward lines the citizens were admitted. A
II o'clock the prisoner was brought out from tbs
Jail by the Sheriff and his assistants and placed
in a small wagon containing his colin, uPor
which he sat, Us the wagon moved on TOWARD
the place of execution. Arrived at the place be
assembled the scaffOld with firm step, merely
remarking that the country before him was 8
beautiful one, but hoped those having him in
charge would not detsiu him unnecessarily. Nc
sign of fear was visible in his countenance; he
looked calmly auQ ESSOluGcly OF bhO OiO"N VI
soldiers surrounding him, but made no remars
or allusion to his fate.
At a quarter past II o'clock the rope was cu
and John Brown fell dangling in the air. Thus
ended the existence of one, great portion o
whose life has been spent in warning against the
laws and institutions of his country. May hi
fate be warning to all traitors in all future time
The body, after being cut down, was convey
ed to the JAIL and during the evening was placed
on special train prepared for the purpose anC
conveyed to Harper's Ferry, where Mrs. Brown
was waiting to receive it. The body, together
with the private papers OF John Brown were
delivered into her possession.
Some half dozen of the Milit,ry companies be
fore stationed here have been ordered home.-
Several other companies are detained here, q
mong them the West Augusta Guard, who viii
remain until after the 10th inst.
Our men are all well and in good spirits anC
feel determined to do their duty as soldiers, il
whatever position they may be called to act
although badly equipped, being much 10 need 0
oyerooats and necessary clothing.
We received to-day dispatch from Captain
Baylor, stating his convslescence, aud hoping
soon to be- able to join US, and TO which we al
say Amen.
fear my communication has already grown
too long for your space. / close by promising
breyity in the future. W. A. 6.