Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-12-10
THE EXECCTION or JOHN BROWN

The following particulars relative to the ex-
ccution of JonN Brown are condensed from
the special correspondence of the New York
Tribune. The writer was on the spot and had
peculiar opportunities TO learn the whole. truth:
The execution of John Brown was in the
highest degree solemn and imposing, and with
out any disturbance of any kind. Lines of
patrols and pckets oncircled the field for ten
miles around, and over five hundred troops were
posted all about the gallows. At O'Clock in
the morning workmen began to erect the scat
fold. the timber having been hauled the night
previous. At troops began to arrive. Troop
ers wers posted around the field at fifty feet a
part, and two lines of sentries further in. The
troops did not form hollow around the gallows,
but were so disposed as to command every APP
proach. The sun shone brightly, and the pic
ture presented TO the eye was really splendid.
As each company arrived it took its allotted
position. On the easterly side were the Cadets,
with their right wing fanked by detachment
of men with howitzers; on the northeast, the
Richmond Grays; on the north, Company +. of
Kchmondi on the west, the Winchester Con-
tinentals, and to preserve order in the crowd,
the Alexandria Rifemen and Capt Gibsons
Rockingham Company were stationed at the
entrance gate, and ON the outskirts. At IL
all conversation and noise ceased. A dead still
ness rcigned over the field, and the tramp of
the approaching troops alone broke the silence.
The escort Of the prisoner was composed of
seven companies of militia, cavalry leading the
column and bringing up the rear.
The prisoner sat upon the box which con-
tanned his coffin, and although pale from con-
fnement, seemed strong. The wagon in which
he rode was drawn by two white horses. From
the time of leaving Jail u:til he mounted the
gallows stairs he wore a smile upon his coun-
tenancc, and his keen eye took in every detail
of the scene. There was no benching nor the
remotest approach to cowardice or nervousness
His remarks have not been correctly reported
in the Baltimore and New-York papers. As he
was leaving Jail, when asked if he thought he
could endure his fate, he said, II can endure
almost anything but parting from friends; that
is very hard" On the road to the scafiod he
said, in reply to an inquiry at has been char
acteristic of me from infancy not to suffer from
physical fear. have suffered thousand times
more from bashfulness than from fear" On
entering the field he said, as if surprised, 81 see
all persons are excluded from the field except
the military | was very near the old man,
and scrutinized him closely. He seemed to
take in the whole scene at a glance and he
Strengthened himself up proudly, as if to set to
The only motion he made, beyond swaying to
and fro of his body, was that same patting of
his knees with his hands that we noticed through
out his trial and while in jail. As lie came up
on an eminence near the gallows, he cast his
eyes over the beautiful landscape and followed
the windings of the Blue Ridge Mountains in
the distance. He looked up earnestly at the sun
and sky, and all about, and then remarked;
"This is beautiful country. | have not cast
my eye over it before-that is, while passing
through the field" The cortege passed half
around the gallows to the east side, where it
halted. The troops composing the escort took
up their assigned position, but the Petersburg
Grays, as the immediate body guard, remained
as before, closely hemming in the prisoner.
They finally opened ranks to let him pass out,
when, with the assistance of two men, he de-
scended from the wagon, bidding good by TO
those within it; and then, with firm step and
erect form, he strobe past Tailor, Sheriff, and
officers, and was the first person to mount the
scahold steps. He then looked about him,
principally in the direction of the people, in the
far distance. Then to Capt Avis, his jailor, he
said, 81 have no words to thank you for all your
kindness to me-" To Sheriff Campbell he re-
marked, "Let there be no more delay than is
necessary" His black slouched hat was then
removed his elbows and ankels were pinioned,
and the white hood was drawn over his head.
The Sheriff requested him to step forward on
the trap. He said, "You have put this thing
over my head and cannot see; you must lead
me-" There are eight minutes of suspense,
while the stupid cavalry are trying to find their
proper position. Impatient at the delay, Col.
Scott gives the signal Sheriff Campbell sewers
the rope with his Ratchet, the trap falls with a
horrid screech of its hinges, and the unfortu-
nate man swings off into the air.
There was but one spasmodic effort of the