The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-05
PARTICULARS OF THE EXECUTION
OF OSSAWATAMIE BROWN.
His Last Will,
DESTINATION OF HIS BODY.
STATEMENT OF MRS. BROWNS AGENTS.

oESEAN ALTON OF HIS BODY.
STATEMENT OF MRS. BROWNS AGENTS.
DEPARTURE OF TROOPS.
&C. &C. &C,
This morning about six o'clock, Brown rose, and
was more cheerful if possible, than he had been
heretofore. He manifested no concern about the
fate which awaited him. His conversation with
the jaor was of sprightly character, he remarked
on the beauty of the morning, and also the pleasure
he had experienced in meeting his wife He re-
GREETED that she had not been allowed to remain
with him during the night, but said that he had
no favOrs to ask of the State of Virginia. He had
expressed desire some DAYS previously. to visit
the prisoners who were confined and sentenced to
death. About seven and a half o'clock Can't. Avis,
who had been very kind, and who had thereby en-
deared himself to Brown, informed him that he
would be allowed a short interview with the pri
soners, and accordingly he was conducted to their
presence. Several gentlemen accompanied the
jaor and him to the different rooms. Cook and
CoppcS room was first entered. Brown went in
not as man who about to die on a rallows
but as Capt Brown, their commander. He adj
dressed Cooke first, saving, in tone of command
= ou have not confined yourself to the truth in
the statements which you make in the paper, pur-
porting to be your confession. never sent YOU to
Harper's Ferry, as a spy, and your statement to
that effect is false.
Cook (meekly. )-''You certainly did send me and
another from Pittsburg to the Ferry, with instruc-
tons to whether Forbes disclosures had been of
any effect"
Capt. Brown.-''l did not, sir, you have by your
course held yourself up as an object of contempt
and deServedly So
Cook.1"Our memories serve us differently"
Capt. Brown.-''Mine is correct SIR
At this point, Cooks head fell and with his eyes
looking at the floor, he remained silent. Brown
then addressed Coppic, SAYING
'.l ou too, Coppic, have made false statements,
which am glad you have retracted. Don't de
mean yourself by exposing or slanderng your
friends. want you to die like a man. as becomes
your condition and position"
Coppic gave an assent and assured Brown that
as he believed he had acted rightly, he would die
tearlessly.
Brown parted with the two and proceeded to the
room of Stevens. Here the meeting was more
cordial and an earnest shake of hands took place
Capt Brown.-"Stevens, have come to bid you
| farewell. ! am about to leave you-to die
Stevens.-E'I feel assured CAPTAIN vOu will po TO
better world than this.
Capt Brown-"COnduct yourself as becomes
man. | know you will do so without my advising
They again shook hands and parted Brown
went TO the room of the negroes who heexhortedin in
similar manner, and assured that his iniunc-
| tions would be obeyed. On parting with them
Brown handed each of the prisoners quarter of
dollar, which he requested them to keep as a keep
sake tGom him. He then returned to his room and
commenced writing, which he continued to do for
some time. As the hour approached for his execu-
ton, the medical faculty in attendance, and the
sherils visited him and conversed. Brown was
cheertul-much than his visitors and
talked as though the hour appointed for his death
was indefinite, and far in the future. The same
stOical inditference-the callousness of feel
/ urr NM pf ,rb; nI I,I I.l
shown from the time of his arrest, were exhibited
to much greater extent In his conversation with
the physicians and others, nothing of material in
/ terest occurred.
| the military commenced assuming the positions as
signed them. One company was stationed in front
of the Jail, another in front Of the market house
directly opposite the JAIL and yet another in front
of the Court house, which is within fifty wards of
the Jail. Brass cannon were placed at the side of
the Jail wall on the street leading to the gallows,
and military were stationed at intervals while a
! portion OF the Executive Guards assigned to
protect the entrance to the field. The place of exc
cution not more than half a mile from the pris-
on. The scatfOd was erected on an eminence in
the centre of twenty field, to the east of the
village. The country surrounding was beautiful.
To the east the ground slOpe1 gradually and the
Blue Ridge, in all its grandeur, which is partcu-
larly beautiful at this of the year, rose like
a wall shutting out the world beyond. The woods
with their scared leaves and naked branches dotted
the land in every direction, while to the North
| could be seen the gap IN the mountains at which
the waters of the Potomac and the Shenandoah are
welded, and which had witnessed the terrible
crimes of him who about to die an infamous
death.
The grounds were laid off and small white flags
stuck in the earth beyond which citizens were not
allowed to pass At half-past nine O'Clock the rep
resentatives of the press, some twenty in number,
with field officer escort, entered the enclO-
sure, and were assigned position to the of the
scafOld and within sixty yards of it. Much trouble
was experienced by the reporters in securing this
as it called) special favor and for it they are
much indebted to Col, Lucius Davis, attached to
the stall OF the General. The Colonel is worthy
gentleman, efficient officer and sensible man.
At the time we entered the field the military had
! assumed their position, and in the woods to the
north cavalry were to be seen scouting in every di-
| rectlOn, while mounted men stationed all
along the fences of the field of execution and could
be seen riding to the south and east apparently
anxiOusly looking for the anticipated rescuers The
Richmond Company were assigned position to
the south of the scafOd, and within 50 wards of il
while the Cadets from the Virginia Military Insti-
tute were stationed in 'front.' and within about the
same distance. y company of cavalry were riding
around the field, and two or three companies OF
| infantry were stationed within twenty wards of the
fences as pickets. Field officers staff officers and
officers of the day, and officers not of the day. to-
gether with aids to the Governor, were dashing
along on spirited horses, riding to and fro, appar-
emily giving exhibitions of excellent hOrsemanship
and rivalling each other in this accomplishment
Thus matters stood at halEpast ten o clock when
Gen. Talaterro with his Staff consisting of thirty
seven men in new uniforms, and all mounted on
spirited chargers, entered the field, and proceeded
with all military decoTum to position in front of
the gallows and in the of the cadets from the
Military Institute. The departure of the command
ing officer from the town was the signal for the
bringing out OF the prisoner. furniture wagon
was driven in front of the Jail and the military
formed around it. Brown was then escorted from
his room. He was dressed in a black suit much
worn, the same he had on when he made his at
tack on the Ferry. lie wore slOuch hat shoes
and red-cOlored stockings. His arms had been
piniOned, and he marched ont with a firm step and
an upright head, was assisted into the wagon and
took a seat on his coffin.
The train then proceeded to the scene of execu.
ton. The military escort was large and imposing.
There no music, and nothing was to be heard,
save the slOw-measured tread of the military and
the rumbIing OF the wheels of the wagon which
was conveying Brown to his DEATH Follow
ing the military were about two hundred citizens.
The gate was entered and the command brought to
a halt. In few minutes it again started, and pro
ceeded to the gallows. The wagon was stopped a
few yards from the steps which led to the platform
and Brown assisted out, and immeGiately y
started for the scalOld. On side was the sheriff
on the other of his deputies. Brown recog
nlzed two gentlemen and bade them g0od-bve. He
assembled the steps with a cheerful look a firm nm
shaken step and unblanching eve. Not an exhihi
ton OF fear was given, evidence of conscious
ness OF the terrible tragic scene which was abou
10 IdAe pldce, ana IN winch he was to be the chic
actor.
As soon as he reached Il platform, the militar,
escort which accompanied him filed to the rich
and left, and took positions which had been preyi
ously assigned them. Brown stepped to the centre
OF the scafold. He surveyed the crowd right and
left, and apparently also the military which were
stationed in the woods and distant fields. He then
glanced at the scaffold and looked at the hook
from which hewas about to be suspended. The de-
putty Sheriff Capt. Avis, took Browns hand from
his side (his being pinned) and bade him fare
well. No religious services were had at the jail
and no minister was at the scaitod, Brown not de-
string their services. Sheriff Campbell then bade
him good bye, shaking his hand. The white cap
was drawn over his head and the fatal rope adjusted
about his neck. When this was done, Brown re-
marked to the Sheriff, "You will have to guide me
now." He was then requested to step forward,
which he did. His feet about six inches apart
and Sheriff Avis stopped to tie his legs Brown
threw his heels together and stood erect as an ar
row. Previous to drawing down the cap, Sheriff
Campbell asked him if he had anything to saw, tc
which he replied, "nothing."