New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-12-17

tsry could have followed BIN during the night They
had succeeded after two weeks labor whenever alone
and hight when the bed clothing nufed the sound
Of the which they had made out Of old Barlow
knife in cutting through tteir iron shaokles, 90 thst
they could pry them of at any moment they shonld
have their other work completed.
TLey had also made a sort Of oSAsel ont OF N old
bed screw, with which they succeeded opportunity
would otr, in removing the plsser from the wall snd
then brick after brick until space sufficient for then
10 pass through was opened all to the removal Of the
oute- brick. Tie part Of the wall on which they OPP
Grated ~hs m the Of the bed which thcJ Steps
and the bed being pusted against the wau completely
bid their work from view The bricks they tool OuE
were concealed in the drum Of stove, and the dirt
sud plss.r removed IN the eOnrse Of their work Wa
placed between the be5clothiog. Thcy knowledgei
that they Lad been to work whole week in making
TIE aperture in the wall.
Their cell being on the frat floor, the aperture
not more than FIVE feet above the pavement OF the
yard and when freed Of their shach les their "
tie ard was quite esey. Here, however there was
a smooth brick wall about fifteen feet high 20 scale.
Tbis difficulty was, however overcome, with the
aid Of the iimbers Of the scsfold on which Capt.
Brown wes hung and which were intended also for
their own execution. They placed these agalns' the
wall and sooB succeeded in reaching the top, from
Which tbey could have easily dropped to the other
eide had not the vigilance Of The sentinel duiy
quickly checked their movements. They were
rested in the jail yard by Gen. Taliafsrro AMI she
officer of the day. who rushed to the jail the moment
the alarm was given. Gen. TslaferrO Immediately
telegspbed 10 Gov. Wise informing him Of the frus-
trated attempt Of the prisoners. His answer directed
that the military should Immediately take possession Of
the interior Of the jail and guard the prisoners until
they were executed.
Sheriff Campbell and Capt. Avis are Of course much
cbaRrined at this narrow escape Of the prisoners
especially as they bad resisted al Interference Of the
military with the interior discipline Of the Jail The
prisoners were shrewd and GINNING fellows, and
undoubtedly without any acoomplices in their under
taking Their friends who were stil here, also
fearful that they might be suspected Of knowledge Of
their attempt The general impression is that if they
had waited till midnight later they might have
reached the mouniains But it is presumedthey were
fearful Of being watched during the night or desired
TO have az much as possible of the darkness to gain
good distance before day light would allow general
pursuit.
PREPARATION FOR THE EXECUTION.
At day break this morning the rece,tle was sounded
from the various barracks announcing the dawn Of the
CAV OF eAeCUDOn hnu toCu VIC Nhut tohhhiH. W AZ
astir The anxiety to learn true version of the events
OF last night caused the streets to be thronged with
people at an early hour. The military, most Of whom
Lad been on duty all night sleeping on their arms,
looked less f. for the active duties of the day than
anticipated at toe time Of parade yesterday The
weather was bright and beautiful, aud much mider
than for several preceding days. A. O'Clock the en-
tire military force in attendance was formed Main
4 A. oil advf d,fv OF had.
quarters. Those companies detailed for field duty
around the gaows Immediately took up the line Of
march, and at 81 O'Clock were in the positions assigned
them in the field Those companies detailed for escort
duty took up their positions in front Of the jail await
ing orders.
EXECUTION OF COPELAND AND GREEN.
At 1CI o'clock Gen. Taliaferro with his staff num-
berinR 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 tie main body of the troops on the teld
The military then formed in d hollow square around
the Jail and an open wagon, containing the collins Of
the prisobeIs, drew up in front, with carriage to
convey riff Campbell and his Deputies.
The crowd Of citizens and strangers was very grea.
at least five tines numerous as on the occasion OF
Browns execu,ion--mOst Of whom were already on
the seld while others wanted to Zee the prisoners
come out.
The religious ceremonies in the cell Of the prisoner
were yely impressive and were conducted by the Rev
Mr. North Of tie Presbyterian, and the Rev. Henry
Waugh of the NJ. T. Church.
At quarter before II O'Clock the prisoners, accom-
panied by the Sheriff ard Rev. Mr. North appeared at
the ail door and with their arms pnioned moved slow
" forward toward the vehicle in waiting for them.
They scented dowucast and wore none Of that calm
and cheerful spirit eyiDeed by Brown under similar
circumstances. They were helped into the wagon and
took their seats on their collins without scarcely look
ing to The right lett. The escort now eommeneed
to move, end the wagon closely fanked on either
eide by company Of riaemen marching 10 double ile
lock sep.
AT seven minutes before II o'clock the procession
entered the field occupied by the military, and the
prisoner cast shuddering glance toward the gallows
erected on the rising ground in its center. In two
minutes more the wagon stopped at the foot OF the
eallovs E, and while the prisoners were alghtng the
companies forming the escort moved OIL to the position
! assigned them on the field.
The prisone re mounted tie seafold with firm step,
and were Immediately joined by Sheriff Campbell.
After brief rr4yer by the clergyman the caps were
drawn over their heads aud the ropes affixed around
their necbs.
During the few moments they thus stood, Copeland
remained quiet, but Green was engaged IN earnest
PRAYER Up to the time the trap was drawn, wlen 1hey
were both launched into eternity.
Green died very easy, his neck being broken by the
fall Tie motion Of liI body was very slight. Cope
land seemed to suffer very muel and bis body writhtd
in violent contortions for seyera minutes. They We're
..o-.,o,,;oS ON the erallows by Reyerends Waugh,