Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-23
Correspondence of the Baltimore SUM-
Execution Of the Four Insurgents, &,

Execution Of the Four Insurgents, &C.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION.
At daybreak this morning the revelie was
sounded from the various barracks, announ-
icing the dawn Of the day Of execution. and
soon the whole community was astir. The
military. most Of whom had been on duty all
night, or sleeping on their arms, looked less
tit for the active duties of the day than was
anticipated at the time of the parade yester-
day afternoon. The weather. however, was
bright and beautiful, and much milder than
for several preceding days, though the thaw
of the snow rendered walking very unpleas-
ant.
/ At O'clock the entire military force in
attendance was formed on the main street,
and the officers reported ready for duty at
headquarters. The companies detailed for
field duty around the gallows Immediately
took up their line of march, and at half-past
8 o'clock were in the positions assigned then,
on the field. The companies detailed for es-
cort duty took up their position in front Of
the Jail, and remained in full possession, a.
waiting orders.
EXECUTION OF GREEN AND COPELAND.
At half-past 10 o'clock, Gen. Taliaferro,
with his staff, mum bering about twenty five
officers, having given orders to prepare the
two negro prisoners, Shields Green and
John Copeland, for execution, took their
departure to join the main body fthe troops
on the field. The military then fol med
hollow square around the Jail, and the open
wagon containing the collins of the prlso-
ners, drew up in front Of the door, with
carriage to convey Sheriff Campbell and Lis
deputies.
The crowd Of citizens and strangers was
very great, at least FIVE times as numerous
as on the occasion Of Browns execution,
most Of whom were already on the field,
whilst others waited to see the prisoners come
out. The religious ceremonies in the cell Of
the prisoners were very impressive, and were
conducted by Rev. Mr.. North, Presbyteri-
an, and Rev. Beverly Waugh, Of the NJ Z.
Church
At quarter before II o'clock the rriso-
ners, accompanied by the Sheriff and Rev.
Mr.. North, appeared at the Jail door. and,
with their arms pinioned, moved slowly for
ward towards the vehicle in waiting for them.
They seemed downcast, and wore none Of
that calm and cheerful spirit cvinced BY
Brown under similar circumstances. They
were helped into the wagon, and took their
seats on the coffin without looking to the
right or left. The escort now commenced
to move, and the wagon was closely hanked
on either side by a company Of rihe,ncn,
marching double file. in lock step.
Al ssven minutes before Il O'Clock the
procession entered the field, occupied by the
military. and the prisoners cast a shudler-
ing glance towards the gallows erected on
the rising ground in its centre. In two
minutes more the wagon stopped at the foot
Of the gallows, and whist the prisoners were
alighting the companies forming the escort
moved # to the positions assigned them on
the field
The prisoners mounted the scafTold with
firm steps, and were Immediately joined by
Sheriff Campbell and Rev Mr.. North. At
ter brief prayer by the clergyman. the
caps were drawn over the heads Of the priso-
ners and the ropes affixed around their
necks During the few moments they thus
stood, Copeland remained quiet, but Green
was engaged in earnest prayer up to the mo-
ment the trap was drawn, and they were
launched into eternity.
Green died very easy, his neck being bro
ken b. the fall, end the motion Of the body
was very slight Copeland seemed to suffer
very much. and his body writhed in VIC
lent contortions for several minutes
They were accompanied On the galows
by Reys. Messrs. Waugh, North and Lehr,
to whom they bid an affectionats farewell,
and expressed the hope Of meeting them in
heaven.
The bodies were placed in the poplar cof-
fins provided for them, and carried back to
the Jail. They will be inferred tomorrow
on the spot where the galIows stands, though
there is party Of edical students here
from Winchester, who will doubtless not al
low them to remain there long.
The negroes did not say much in regard
to their fate, and devoted all their time to
prayer Copeland would have spoken on
the scaffold had he been permitted
EXECUTION OF COOK AND coppfE.
The bodies Of the two negro prisoners
having been brought back to the Jail at a.
bout quarter to twelve o'clock, notice was
given to Cook and Coppie that their time
was approaching, only one hour more being
allowed them.
When called upon BY til, Sheriff. they
stood calm and quietly whilst their arms
were being pirioned, and after bidding fare
we'll to the guards Of the Jail, moved through
the corridor to the door, and were helped
into the wagon and took their seats on their
collins. Their appearance was rather Of
hopeless despair, than Of resignation. and
they seemed to take but little notice Of any.
thing as the procession slowly moved to the
field of death.
A blue cloth Talma was thrown over the
shoulders Of Coppie, and a dark one over
the shoulders Of Cook Before leaving his
cell Coppie gave an Old slouch hat 10 Qua
ker gentleman from Ohio, stating that the /
dark one about to be put on him was pres !
ent from Gov Willard
During these proceedings Coppie was
struggling TO hide his feelings, and Cook !
was striving to be calm md collected. tn,
Quaker gentleman remarked 1T is hard to
die, " to which Coppie responded - 1t is the
parting from friends, and not the dread OF
death that moves u.s.
On the way down stairs they were allow
ed to proceed to the cell Of Stevens and
HaZlett and hid tha,, fara,rall fThav sl,oL \