New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-12-17
The Prisoners Preparing for Dea<h
ATTEMPTEB ESCAPE OF COOK AND COPPIC.
THEIR DISCOVERY by 4 SENTINEL.


Of four prisoners. In order TO correct understanding
Of what has TRANSFERRED give you suocino. narrative
Of the events sinee yesterday morning.
ARRIVAL or STRANGERS,
Throughout the day yesterday there was great in
fux OF strangers and citizens OF the county who
fccing in to witness tie last of the Harpers Fer
~ tragedy. The latter came thus early fearing they
might be detained at the eutposts, as the
the day Of the execution Of Brown. The clouds which
early in the morning darkened the horizon, were
soon dspened, ana the sun came ont in unusual
brillisncy for December morning. As the hours adj
vDcod groups were all the streets and corners
decussng the al-absorbng topic of the approaching
executions. TIE afternoon trains Of cars from Win
chester and Harpers Ferry brought large numbers Of
persons including delegation Of newspaper reporters
rom the Northern cities The vigilance at the dept
on the arrival o. the trains was not stringent
the occasion Of The execution Of Bro W. and but little
difficulty was experienced in getting into the town, al
though the difficulty was not so light in obtaining
commentators.
GRAND DRESS PARADE.
Shortly after the arrival of the train in the afternoon
grand dress parade Of oil the companies in attendance
took place. The spot selected for the parade was the
immense field IN which Brown WAS executed, and on
which the paoWs for the execution OF the remaining
prisoners was being erected. The companies were
drilled in four baitaons. The whole was unde- the
command Of Col. Weiserger OF tue Petersburg Reg-
ment, Lieut. Israel Green OF the United States Ma
rinos acting as Adiutant. The troops went through
their evouiiOne with great skill, and were reviewed
by Gen. Taliaierro who was on the ground in full
dress, mounted on a spirited charger. Everything
conspired to make the display grand one. The
bright bayOnes and gay forms Of the soldiers COM
bned 70 perfect the picture. very large crowd
in attendance, among whom was large number OF
adies, who occupied their handsome equpsges to the
east Of the line During the time Of parade, hand
some company Of horse entered the town. They came
from Middlebury Loudon County, and are under COM
nand of Capt, Carter.
THE PRISONERS YESTERDAY.
The rrisoncrp were visited yesterday afternoon by
the Rev. Mr. Nassau the Rev. Mr.. Outton, and the
Rev. Mr.. North Of the Presbyterian Church, and the
Rev. Beverly Waugh, Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church The services in tie cels Of an Interest,"
ing and solemn character and were participated in by
all the condemned men, though it If evident, from
subsequent events that Cook aud COppc at least were
payino possuu as their minds must have been fixed
hopes of e and liberty rather than on death and eter
ntv The time they were making outward pTotestsOns
of resignation. They all gave unqualified assent to
the convictions Of religious truth and each expressed
hone of salyation in the world 70 come Cook and
Coppc were loudes in professions of change Of heart,
and in tire hope of Divine forgiveness They freely
admitted their guilt, and acknowledged their doom
inst one and that in the main they have been treated
with the utmost Kindness by all, though they though
some of the witnesses were rather harsh in their tes
mory.
The ministers Unsigned they discovered decidedly
favorable change in the condition of Cook mind since
his interview with bis sisters. Up to that time, his
camness and bravery were regarded proceeding from
lack Of feeling, and on leaving him yesterday in the
afternoon. they reported that he had been led TO seek
forgiveness tor his sins as the only hope of salvation
aud that Coppic was also equally in earnest in his
proestations Of religious convictions and hopes OF for
piverefs: all Of which was undoubtedly intended to
hoodwink their project Of escape
Cook has been visited throughout his imprisonment
by the Rev N Green North, at the request OF the
prisoner as also oc Cove. Wise and Willard
The Rev. Mr.. North was present at I'm interview
between Connie and Mr. Butler, a Quaker gentleman
from Ohio who raised the prisoner. He describes the
interview as an affecting one, and speaks highly Of
Mr.. Buffers Christian department and advice to the
prisoner. Mr.. Butler snys that Coppic was trusty
name from Ohio his fathers brother, visited him also
yesterday, The interview lasting over an hour lie
seemed in much distress at the SAD fate which awaits
his relative.
Tbis was the condition of the town, prisoners, and
military up to O'Clock last evening. AllapPrehensons
Of an intended rescue had long since been banished,
and nothing was thought Of but the approaching
execution, while toe Overlooking throng Of strangers
were hunting quarters for the night.
The bar-rooms were all crowded with people discuss
ing the resignation Of the prisoners to their iae aud 80
firmly ba6 this conviction settled 10 the public mind,
that military du,y was regarded "a bore, and tue
finale Of the tragedy regarded as almost approached.
The suprer-,able Of the Carter House was crowded
for the ffth or sixth time, and all was moving on
calmly and quietly mp to O'Clock, when an alarm
Wa given. and tie whole town thrown into conster-
nation, by an attempt of Cook and C,Ppic to escape
THE ATTEMPTED ESCAPE.
At a quarter past eight o'clock lat evening the
whole town was thrown into connection by the report
of a rifle under the wall Of the jail, followed by sew
era other shot, from the vicinity OF the guard
in close proximity 70 the Jail The military were called
In arms and the excitement was intense beyond any
thing that has We occurred during ever memorable
era Of military occupation. In few minutes tne
streets and avenues Of the town in possession Of
armed utn, and il was with some difficulty that the
cause Of al tie turmoil could be ascertsned Rlmor'
If very DESCRIPTION were saoa and it was at one time
tboueht that lie prisoners had overposered then
,srs and made te!r esoeye and then that an alta x
had been made on the Jail by parties attempting TO rec
enc the prisoners II was dangerous toE cniLeh '0
20 on, 10 ascertain the true cause Of She excitement
I ~ n