Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-12-02


sacrificed, but have no authority do more"
BY this time the people had learned the
fate in store for them. The women with
tears and appealing gestures crowded around
the officer begging him to spare their sons
and husbands; the men stood silent with
bloodless faces, and dumb, imploring eyes.
The scene was evidently painful, both to the
officer aud the soldiers, accustomed as they
were to the unmerciful code of war. They
were anxious TO put an end TO it and leave
but the clergyman's son, inspired with the
belief that the fate of ten men rested upon
his efforts continued to urge his plea with a
zeal and eloquence that would not be set
aside. Lieut.. Lamotte struggled awhile
between his sense of duty and his natural
humanity, while the young advocate APP
pealed to his conscience and to the obedience
which he owed to ahigher commander than
Davoust. Finally he consented to wait
while sergeant was dispatched TO head
quarters, accompanied by peasant toshow
him the nearest way. A few lines hastily
penciled, stated the facts in the case, and
asked for further instructions.
Meanwhile the inhabitants waited, in a
state of suspense scarcely to be endured
Lieut.. Lamotte--who, as thorough French
man, soon wearied Of painful emotion,
and shaking it off at the risk of appearing
heartless--said "The morning is keen, and
a walk before sunrise doesn't diminish the
appetite; can you give us some refresh
ments from your hidded suppiesl ~ At a
word from the young man, many of the
women brought together the coffee they bad
prepared for their own breakfast, with black
bread, mugs of beer, and a small cheese or
two-suflicicnt for rough meal-of which
the soldiers partook with the usual laughing
comments on "la cuisine BtlemdRda" The
company Of victims looked on in silence,
and more than one muttered, gloomily, ave
are feeding our executioners."
Even if that should be true" said the
young man, 'it is but doing as Christ has
taught us. Whether or not we obtain
Christian charity from these men, let US at
least show them that we are Christians"
This rebuke had its effect. A few Of
the men assisted in entertaining the SOL
diers, and the latter with their facility of
fraternization, soon made themselves at
home. As the stomach fills, the heart also
enlarges, and the men began to say among
themselves: at is pity that these men
should be shot by mistake"
1t was not long before the sergeant and
his guide arrived. The former handed the
| lieutenant note, which be hastily tore open
and read. "Waste no time in parley. 1t
is Indifferent which village is punished; an
example must be made instantly" So ran
the pitiless answer.
"Choose your menr said the lieutenant
rising to his feet and grinding his teeth tc
keep down his faltering heart. But now
the lamentations broke out afresh. The
women clung around the men who were
dear to them, and many of the latter, over
come by the general distress, uttered louc
cries and prayers for mercy. The young
man knelt down in front of them, saying
to the officer: 81 do not kneel to you; but
l will pray to God that he will remove the
sin Of slaughter from your soul"
As the officer met his earnest eyes, ful
of sublime ealmness and courage, hi
own suddenly filled with tears. He turned
to his men who stood drawn up in a line
before him, but no word was spoken Thei
hands were in their proper places, accord
ing to drill regulations; and there were
were drops on many cheeks which they
could not wipe away. There was a silen
question in tho officers eye--a silent an
swer in theirs. The former turned hurried
ly, beckoned the young man to him, anC
whispered in an agitated voice:
my friend, l will save you bystratagem
Choose ten of your most courageous men
, place them in line before me and l vii
J order my soldiers 10 shoot them throug
tho head. At the instant give the orde
to fire, they must fall fiat on the ground
J my soldiers will aim high and no one wi
: be injured; as soon as the volley is fired
will give the order to march; but no on
must stir from his place until we are out
/, sight"
These words were instantly translated t
: the people, but so great was their pan
that no one offered to move. The pastor
son then took his place alone, in the vacar
space before the line of soldiers. Il offc
. myself" said he, "as one trusting in Go
that we shall all be saved; and l call upo
, those of you who have the hearts of INC
= in your bodies tostand beside me-" Youn
Conard, sturdy farmer and but newly
| bridegroom joined him--casting as he d
= so single encouraging look upon his futu
D wife, who turned deadly pale but spaSe n
? a word. One by one, as men who have r
s solved to face death--for the most of the
;, had but trembling half confidence in the
Q escape-eight others walked out and to,
a their places in line. The women shudder
2 and hid their eyes; the men looked steac
s " on in the fascination of terror; and t
l. little children in awed but Ignorant eurio
5, ty. The place was as silent as if devoid
i life.
Is Again the lieutenant surveyed his mt
J. "Take aimp he commanded. He cont
n ued-"aim at their heads, that your VIC
may be well done" But though his Yo
d was clear and strong, and the tenor of
ir words not to be mistaken, clairvoya
rs flash of hidden meaning ran down t
Iy line, and the men understood him. Th
W came the last command Fire y but
SO the second which intervened between
word and the ringing volley, the ten n
lr were already falling. The crack of m
III kets and sound of their bodies were sim
u. taneous. Without pausing an instant,