Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-11-21


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 and the soldiers, accustomed as they
were to the unmercifui code of war. They T.
were anxious to put an end to it, and leave
but the clergyman's son, inspired with be-
lief that the fate of ten men rested upon his
/ efforts, continued to urge his plea with zeal
and eloquence that would not be set aside
Lieut.. Lamotte struggled awhile between his bis
| sciencc' and to the obedience which he owed
to higher commander than Davoust. FL
nally, he consented to wait while sergeant
was sent to head quarters, with guide. A
few lines hastily penciled stated the facts of
the case, and asked for further instructions.
Meanwhile the inhabitants waited in q
state of suspense scarcely to be endured
Lieut. Lamotte, who, as thorough French
man, soon wearied of painful emotion, sha
king it off at the risk of appearing heartiess,
said: 1.-The morning is keen, and a walk be-
fore sunrise doesn't diminish the appetite
can yoC give US some refreshments from your
, hidden supplies ?" At word from the young
| man, the women brought the coffee they had
: prepared for their own breakfast, with black
, bread, beer, cheese, &c.-suficient for a
rough meal-of which the soldiers partook.
The victims looked on in silence, and more
! than one muttered: I" We are feeding our ex
| ecutioners."
"Even if that should be true said the
i young man, g it is but doing as Christ taught
us. Whether or not we obtain Christian
q charity from these men, let US, at least, show
t them that we are Christians"
d This rebuke had its effect. A few Of the
d men assisted in entertaining the soldiers and
the latter, with their facility of frate,niza-
il ton, and soon made themselves at home. As
the stomach fills, the heart enlarges, and the
e soldiers began to say among themselves: 1t
1t is a pity that these men should be shot by
e mistake"
n The sergeant soon returned, and handed
e the Lieutenant a note, which he hastily tore
ID open and read: Waste no time in parley.
D. 1t is indifferent which village is punished
te an example must be made. Do your duty,
ID and return instantly" So ran the pitiless
answer.
"Choose your men!" said the Lieutenant.
rising to his feet, and grinding his teeth to
keep down his faltering heart. But now the
: lamentations broke out afreSh. The women
IA IA chung around the men who were dear to
al them and many of the latter overcome bv
al al the general distress, uttered loud cries and
BEEA9Syfrh ,tnFo Sthem, Saying to the offer
H.. III; do not kneel to you; but pray that Coo
Of will remove the sin of slaughter lrplaI your
~, VI SOUL" -vw-ss~a7sesss,s
arm denly filled with tears. He turned to hi
me men who stood drawn up in line before, on
"a word was spoken anefe Wns t,rned to tn,
of yonno man. and whispered, In an aSitale'
dy "My friend, will save you by stratasem
ter Choose ten of your most courageous nleil
PHI nlace them in a line before me, aiad VIII 1i
n der nv soldiers to shoot them through .n
ssa head. At the instant give the order 70 ilie
600 they must fall fat on the ground; my -,
was d;aIs will aim high and no one VIII be i'ilu
d in rad as soon as the volley is fired, VIII CIV
nts, tho order to march but no one must SUI
; of from his place until we are out OF slSnl
lun- Tbosa words were instantly Translated
heir tho neople bnt so great was the pah'e' IN
apa- M one offered to move. The pastor %
,lun then took place alone, in front OF the soaer
and called upon others to stand besloe M
)" as Yonne Conrad sturdy farmer anu
quar- newly bridegroom joined hm Gastlns'
mfor- he did So a single encouraging look upon
scene y;fa who turned pale but spoke not Wo
his Ono hv one. as men, who have resolVeu
when en- daoth cfor the most of them had bu
eral," tromhl;no half confidence in thelE escaf
luires o;obt others walked out. and took place
st be Inc The women shuddered, and hld To
of the ewes: the men looked steadily on, IN tne
Wal onation of terror; ; and the little children
eople, swed but ignorant curiosity. The place
7 inju- as silent as if devoid of life.
Apain the Lieutenant surveyed ms
NOUS .0Take aim" he commanded. de con'lh
's Send uh;n, of their heads that yonr woEk ma
illage; vol donel" But though his voice was
shoot and etrong and the tenor of his words n
be mistaken, clalrvoyaht nas,i 81 y. ~, :,
,tenant meaning ran down the line, and the mel
,yer the ,4S h;m Then came the word II
/ reach h,,t in the second which intervened bet
rsection tba word and the ringing volley, the ten
one viii 80 o1raadv falling The crack OF the
log now ,'o.s and sound Of the bodies were SIN
rf?" in naons Without pausing an instant, the
met by tenant cried, Right about. wheel! .o"
an, ish ond tho measured tramp of the soldiers
on the down the narrow village street
and in a The women uncovered their eyes anu
marched There Law the ten men nlotioness anu
rantlv lfeless. With wild cries they
church, "A oround them: but ere their exclaI
S togeth- &C decnair had turned into those Of 10.
awake iast of the soldiers had disappeared
. Their ,~ood Then followed weeping embra
unders of all orose from the ground-laughter anc
I'd pillage af bvsterical ioy. The pastor son vi
the COM od his head and kneeling down, W
RS seized raverently followed his example, ute
them in aloonent PRAYER Of Thanksgiving lo'
children merciful deliveraRee.
none uh- What this young Hlau ha1 uo
lese omin- suffered to go unrewarded, blesslt
lagine the ed upon his labors and his lie. IN III
IF time he became minister, filling
,stors son his fathers place for the people he IA
! > Young hnt was afterwards led to wider a
theology, ambitious sphere. He was called 70 ,
nesseneer' receiyed the degree of Doctor OF
doe Of the and finally became known througho
It Lamo.te many as the founder of the GaSt'
nrs- il1 Tereia, (Gustavus Adolphus Union
;u.ao, ), an. has for it's object ths dissemination
sp5 os our testant principles by means OF volun
sss assarS - hat trbntions Many churches, buiit
ether sociation, are now scattered tnroug
noint out United States.
THE inhabitants of Waldorf nev
:. ,o,r Con. their pastor, nor he them. he ca !,
p.aah soal sol. from time to time, to- spend few
aeora Won = OMIT little village os bis youth.
M;Sd,e and the most eventful crisis OF his lie
her down in ed.
satisfy your. In 1856. three out of the ten J
,ly innocent; Tins of Davoust were still living II
he blood of home, and the people betnougn'
the semi-contenaial anniversary
oat;or, - sa;d event deserved a special ceieoIs
! % ~ Waldorf -. of Leipzig Qormeriy u
wait till you son. was lnviteo 70 oe sroT, the e
acfln'eu' '1' e.rtbWand after solemn religion