Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-08-30
Execution of Col. Hayne.

Among the distinguished men who fell victims
during the war of the American Revolution, wa
Col. Isaac Hayne of South Carolina; mar
who, by his amiability of character and high
sentiments of honor and uprightness, had secur
the good will and affection of all who knew him
He had wife and six small children, the Oldest
q boy of thirteen years of age. His wife, to
whom he was tenderly attached, fell victim
to disease; an event hsstened not improbably
by the inconveniences and sufferings incident to
q state of war, in which the whole family large
ly participated. Col. Hayne himself was taken
prisoner by the British forces, and in short
time was executed on the gallows, under ciroum-
stances calculated to excite the deepest commits
seration. great number of persons both En-
glish and American, interceded for his life
The ladies of Charleston signed petition in his
behalf; his motherless children were presented
on their bended knees as humble suitors tor their
beloved father; but all in vain. During the
Imprisonment of the father, his eldest son was
permitted to stay with him in prison. Behold
ing his only surviving parect, for whom he felt
the deepest affection, loaded with irons and con-
demned to die, he was overwhelmed with coD-
sternation and sorrow. Tho wretched father
endeavored to console him, by reminding him
that the unavailing grief of the son tended only
to increase his own misery; that we came into
this world merely to die, and be could even re-
joce that his troubles were so near an end
"To-morrow," said he, II set out for immortal
ity. You will accompany me to the place of ex.
ecution; and when l am dead, take my body
and bury it by the side your mother" The
youth here fell on his fathers neck, crying,
"Ob, my fatherl my father! / will die for
you! will die with you'll" Colonel Hsyne, as
he was loaded with irons, was unable to return
the embrace of bis son, and merely said to him
in reply-"Lve, my son; live to honor God by
q good life; live to serve your country; and live
to take care of your brother and little sisters"
The next morning Ool Hayne was conducted to
the place of execution. His con accompanied
him. Soon as they came in sight of the gal
lows, the father strengthened himself and said
snow, my son, show yourself mani That
tree is the boundary of my life, and all my lifes
sorrows. Beyond that, the wicked cease fro@
troubling and the weary are at rest. Don't lay
too much at heart our separation it will be but
short. To-day die; and you, my son, though
but young, must shortly follow me-" "Yes, my
father" replied the broken-hearted youth, 81
shall shortly follow you, for, indeed, feel that
l cannot live long" And his melancholy antic.
ipation was fulfilled in manner more dreadful
than is implied in the mere extinction of life.-'
On seeing his father in the hands of the execu-
toner, and then struggling in the halter, he
stood like one transfixed and motionless with
horror. Till then he had wept incessantly; but
soon as he saw that sight, the fountains of bis
tears were staucbed, and he never wept more.
he died insane; and in his last moments often
called upon his father, in terms that brought
tears from the hardest Philadelphia