The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-12-19
,crNEs PREVIOUS TO THE ExECUTIoN
From eur Special Reporter.i
Sc. &e.. &c.

county had they snceeeied. A large Jail guard
has been maintained eyer since the capture
aud incarceration of the misguided men. Capt.
Avis has given his unremitting attention TO
his duty, saitng under the proper instructions
from Sheriff Campbell. Notwithstanding ru-
niors Ia the contrary. what was considered
strict watch has been maintained day and
night. The greatest care has been taken to se-
care the doors after the entrance of any yisi-
tors over since the execution of Brown--
Lately, there has been sen tinel pacing upand
down immediately in front OF the cells sf the
prisoners, within the passage, during ths
whole night Last evening, this sentinel
would have been placed in very few moments
from the time seized to make the escape. The
minutes between supper and the placing OF the
guard Just ailased to, were taken TO make the
attempt. The attempt TO fasten suspicion OH
those connected with the prison as officers or
guards seems unjust though almost natural
ter, furnished 10 Sheriff Campbell by the pris-
cners, sets this forth
..CHARLRsrowN JAIL. Dec. l6.
Having been called upon to make fair state
,sx isll, we have agreed TO do so. from sense oil
dats TO the sheriff of the county to the jailor,
shealc be uujns.Iy csnsared on our .ccount.
The principal implements with which We open
Rariow knife and a screw, which we took out OF
the bedstead; The knife was borrowed of one OF
turn Il 70 him 10 had no idea OF AM Intention on
part TO break cut. neither did the sheriff. Jall
Plans We received 30 aid from any psvse or Or
PERSONS, ehafercf. We had as we supposed. re-
sevefsl days aso, hut on the evening previous to
our breaking out we found our mistake in regard
10 the mstter.
nay sisters and brothers -ia-ia~ were here. but |
knew that it would reflect on them, and we post
rs nam. lie refused. We then conelndsd 10 walt
] got knife blade, from Shields Green and with
with which we sawed of shackies. We had
them all of the might previous 70 our getting out.
sot upon the wall, when was discovered and shot
at. The suaed outside of the wall immediately
eaance Of escape, and it was discovered that we
had broken lail. 30 we alked IN deliberately and
ths .sll saard There was no person or persons
This Statement IS true, SO help US God
''fSIgHed,l JOHN E. Cook,
EDWIN CoPPic."
For several days ihey had been at work Ie-
moving the piaster and cement and bricks,
which composed The wall, Just under the
window. The table, holding their books, writ
ing materials aud other articles, WAS sitting
before the place. a chair was before the table.
A few days ago, requests We're made 10 the
guards 70 permit rs little disturbance as pos
nibie KS they had important writing to put
through. While working, the bits of plaster
were concealed under the bed, covered with
newspapers. The bricks were let down by a
string into a drum-stoye, through the pipe
hole. Cooks manaeles were sawed through
the ankle-rines, SO as to be entirely removed,
Coppic's through a center link. and then tied
10 his legs under his pants. Having let them
selves down into the yard, they made use OF a
part of the gaflows used in the execution of
brown, to gain the top of the wall The sell :
tinel outside Immediately discovered them
and fired, the ball striking the edge of the wall,
near 10 Cooks head. They Immediately jump
ed down into the yard and walked 10 the jail
door. Met by one of the Jail guards, Coppic
said, II am your prisoner" lie answered,
TO the astonishment of the guard. Immediate te
steps were taken TO secure them.
I have been told that the military sentinels
outside OF the Jail, on either street and in the
adjoining alleys, were usually posted about 9
O'Clock at night For several nights, however,
seven p. M. has Deen the hour. The escape
was attempted between and O'Clock Scouts
that were sent cut Immediately on the discoy-
cry of the attempt, arrested near town two
men in buggy, who professed to be on their
way from Harper's Ferry TO CharIestown, ex-
,,eciiug To find GOV. Willard and MIR. Voorhees,
there, They We're placed in charge of the pro-
per officers. The report that Cook and Coppic
were possessed OF the eountersign for the night,
lacks confirmation. There is no positive evil
dences Of this at All, that have heard of. Capt.
Avis and Sheriff Campbell, / repeat are re-
garded by our citizens as above suspicion.
Capt Avis declares thathe wants no statement
from the prisoners.
Two weeks since the weather WAS like that
of q May day. The breaking of to- day told that
the gentle moods that are so often INDUCED in
by autumn had ceased, and that the stern as
pect of winter had been assumed by the de-
parting year. slight covering OF snow en-
wrapped the earth; grey, snow-threatening
clouds covered the sky, and the sun threw no
gorgeous images upon the canvas of nature.
The beautiful scere appearing on every side
from the place of execution on the former
day, and that called forth the admiration Of
the chieftain, appeared not to the followers.
In consequenceof removal of the severe re-
stricticns of the former execution, q vast con-
course Of citizens and strangers assembled to
day. Besides the regular train, an extra
came down from Winchester. Large numbers
of horseInen entered by every road leading
into town. These persons were assigned posi-
tons on the field affording excellent opportn- l.
mites for witnessing the approaching event.
Che scaffold, which was the same one Hsed
for Brown, was erected early. The troops
were stationed according TO general order
After religious exercises in the Jail by Rev.
Mr. Waugh, of the NJ. f. Church, Copeland
and Green were brought ont, about IL O'clock,
and placed in spring wagon, drawn by two
dark-coiored horses, which moved slowly to
the field, under q strong guard of cavalry and
infantry. The MoaEtain Guards and City
Guards marched on either side Of the con-
deinHed. The guard was commanded by Col.
Weisiger. Immediately on arriving at the
assigned them. The prisoners, accompanied
by Messrs. Campbell Avis, and Taylor, and
Rev. Msssrs. North, Waugh. and Leech, as
cended To the platform. They bade adieu TO
low tones the ministers were exhorting them
to trust in the atcnement of Christ made for
sinners. They signifed their earnest endeavor
SO TO do. The fatal moose was adjusted ronnd
the neck OF each. Rev. Mr.. Nortt, Of the o. S.
Presbyteria Church. then, in a brief but
earnest prayer commended them TO the Judge
OF the quick and the dead, pleading for them
the death Of Jesus. The ministers retired from
the scaffold, the caps were placed over their
heads, the ropes secured in the steeples, the
blow given and they fell, at about is min tes
after IL o'clock. Green scarce struggled. Cope
land, for several minutes, kicked with some
violence. After remaining suspended for thir-
ty-one minutes, an examinations was made by
Drs. Mason. Straith, and Starres, when they
wer6 pronounced dead, aud cut down and
placed in their cofiine. The diSposftfsn of
their bodies have not yet learned positively.
The guard detailed for the other prisoners
then retnrued To the jail. Cook and COppic
occupied the time imfnediately preceding their
departure fresl the Jail In washing and ar-
ing 1T the sans time wjth the guarda the min-
isters, ard one or TIVE friends Thsy were
both innch sgitated An old QiiAker Esntls-
man was assisting Goppie, rseeisias his last
counsel. Wiisn Coppic bade him toll his
1sother THAI he loved her, and asked forgive
neKs TOR every wrong be had ntany time shown
rissi hard % anbdus their emotion Ths con-
demned banded his aged friend light st0uch
hat worn by him at Harper's Ferry, and asked
him to give that 10 his friends. Capt. Avis
.Ss s. nGss ss 4 @ ssy esa sayans n ssd Y
said: II desire 70 rsturn my sincere thanks 70
Sheriff Campheij, Capt. Avis and family, and
each Of tbs guards, for thelr attentiop. Also,
10 Mrs. u Locke md Mr.. BlessiaE, and 10 tbs
Isseh, Dslsan sad eiSers.. whss ksss .ssa corn.
eell1d m A11Q, to the cilizeue of Gharjes.
tcwn, eeeerAliy, fos tleir htndn4es, Iam sin-
csssiy .sssatalr qepgse lcole .p.ed sa.ss !: