The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-17

sbn take occasion TO note down their remarks and send
a man nsmed xcCeary, At MartEAburg,. Va. wa.
.hot = Monday night BY . sentinel The wound
This b believe, the first Of any being shot by
sentinel was McCeary's fault; for instead Of haltng
ming, whereupon he was fred at and wounded. The
wound In the eshy part Of the left hip ranging down.
wards The physicians prebed the wound but could not
Our Special Charlcstown Despatch.
THE EXECUTION OF TH1 MESsRs. GREEN AND COPE
LAND.
CHAMnrowN, Va, Dec. 16, 1859.
Shields Green and John Copeland have just paid the
ssrfet Of their lives. The srowd In the town is very
great, and the execution Witnessed by immense
thrsng.
At nine O'Clock the held was occupied by the troops,
and at seven minutes eleven O'Clock the procession
made It's appearance. It arrived at the scanold
hve minutes past eleven. The prisoners were in cart,
in which were also the Sheriff and Jaor They mounted
the scafod with . nrm step. The prisoners had the
caps placed their heads by the Sheriff. and after ap
proprate prayer by the Rev. Mr. North Of the Presby-
tsrian church, they launched into eternity Before
the rope was cut Green heard 10 offer up fer
vent prayer, but Copeland was not heard 70 pray.
Green's neck broken and he died without struggle
Copeland writhed in violent contoraons for several
minutes
They fell at eleven minutes after eleven Three
ministers stood upon the scaffeld-Mcssrs Waugh,
North and Lerh, 70 whom the prisoners bade farewell
and said they hoped 10 meet them In heaven.
The bodies viii be placed IN the Jail for interment TO-
morrow.
THE EXECUTION OF THE WHITE MEN, COOK AND
C0PPH.
At ten minutes 10 one O'Clock Coppie and Cook were
hung They died almost instantly the rope having been
adjusted by surgeon TO insure speedy and less
painful DEATH
Cook was very much agtated and shed tears both In
his cell and the gaows Coppie took the matter very
quietly and oomposedy and scarcely seemed to realize
his awful situation.
After the caps and ropes were adjusted and they had
taken their places the Drop Coppe said, "Good bye
john" Cock replied, "where Eds handS" They shook
hands, Ccppe saying, "God bless you and Cook replied
"Good bye, all"
There were upwards OF ten thousand persons on the
field, besides the military, who numbered upwards one
thousand.
Cook has made written statement to the Sheriff exone-
rating all connected with the Jail In regard their escape
was believed he secured aid and assistance from his
friends and relations.
Cooks body has been sent to New York by Adams'
Express Coppes body has been forwarded TO his friends
IN Iowa.
General Talerros prudence and foresight are highly
commended, and S admitted by al that but for the
sentry placed on the outside Of the jail osek and Coppe
would have escaped As is they have met their fate,
and the laws Of the land have been vindicated.
Details or the Execution Of tho Culprits.
CHAMzrowS, Va, Dec. 1e, 1859.
We have had an exciting time during the twenty-four
hours which have just closed with the execution Of four
prisoners In order 70 correct understanding Of what
has ranspred, succnct narrative Of the events since
yesterday morning is given below
ARRIVAL OF STRANGERS, ETC.
Throughout the day yesterday there great influx
Of strangers and citizens Of the county who ockng
IN 70 witness the last act Of the Harpers Ferry tragedy
The latter came thus early fearing that they might be
detained at the oupos the the day the
execution Of Brown. the clouds, which early In
the mssning darkened the horizon dispersed and
the sun out I'm unusual brilnancy for December
mornng As the hours advanced, groups were seen on
sA sssts aad discussing the all absorbing
topic OF the approaching execution.
In the afternoon trains Of from Winchester and
Harpers Ferry brought large numbers of persons ncud
ing delegation Of newspaper reporters from the North
ern cities. The vigilance at the depot the arrival Of
the trains not stringent the of the
execution Of Brown and but little difficulty expert
enced in getting into the town. although the difficulty
was not SO light in obtaining accommodation.
GRAND DRESS PARADE OF THE MILITARY.
Shortly after the arrival Of the train in the afternoon
grand dress parade Of all the companies in attendance
took place The spot selected for the parade the
mense field on which Brown was executed. and which
the gaows for the execution Of the remaining prisoners
NV,n
battalions. The whole were under command OF Colo
mel Weiserger, Of the Petersburg regiment, Lieu
tenant Israel Green, Of the United States Marines,
acting as Adjutant. The troops went through their
evolutions with great skill, and were reviewed by
General Taiafcrro, who the ground in full Dress
mounted spirited charger. Everything conspired 70
make the display grand The bright bayonets and
gay uniforms Of the soldiers combined to perfect the
picture. very large crowd in attendance, amongst
whom large number Of ladies', who occupied their
handsome equpages 70 the east Of the line. During the
time Of PARADE handsome company Of horse entered
the town. They from Mddlcbury, Loudon county,
and are under command Of Captain Carter.
THE PRISONERS YEsrERDAY-rHE RELIGIOUS SER
WOES, ETC.
The prisoners visited yesterday afternoon by the
Rev. Mr. Nassau Rev. Mr.. Dutton and Rev. Mr. Norh of
the Presbyterian church, and Rev. Beverly Waugh Of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Tho services In the cells
Of an interesting and solemn character and were
participated in by all the condemned men, though s now
evident from subsequent events that Cook and Coppe
at least playing possum, their minds must have
been fixed on hopes Of life and liberty rather than on
death and eternity, at the time they making outward
protesaons Of resignation. They all gave unqualified
the convictions Of religious truth and each expressed
hope Of salvation in the world to Cook and Cop
pie were oudest in professions Of change Of heart
In the hope Of Divine forgiveness They freely admitted
their guilt and acknowledged their doom just one and
that in the main they have been treated with the utmost
kindness by all though they thought some Of the wit
nesses were rather harsh IN their testimony. The minis
tsrs imagined they discovered decidedly favorable
change in the conduct Of Cook since his interview
with his sisters Up to that time his calmness and
bravery were regarded as proceeding from .