The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-06-27
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. JUNE q, 1862.

girl withoutlcause.) And we leave him in
Fort jackson.
HANGING A REBEL FOR TEARING DOWN
OUR FLAG.
More than year ego General Dix sent
his famous order to the commander of the
revenue cutter at New Orleapp, elf any
man attempts to haul down the American
flag, shoot him on the spot" General But.
Ter followed this precept on the 5th OF this
month by hanging one William B. Mum.
ford, for tearing down the American flag on
the Oath of April last. The following is
an account of the scene which is more in its
details than the account we published Sum
day morning:
Early yesterday morning it was an.
nounced that William B. Mumford, the
man sentenced to death for tearing down
the United States flag, hoisted on the Mint
by Commodore Farragut upon the occupa-
tion of the city by the Union forces, would
expiate his offence upon the gallows.
Crowds were soon vending their way to-
wards the Mint, where all doubts were dis
PEELED by the ghastly spectacle of q gallows
projecting from window in the second sto.
ry of that building fronting on Esplanade
street, directly under the flagstaff that had
borne the colors in question.
THE DEATH WARRANT.
On the evening of the 5th instant the Or
der of execution was read to the prisoner
by Deputy Provost Marshal Stafford, he
being charged with carrying into effect the
details of the sente0ce, in consequence of the
illness of Provost Marshal French. The
document reads as follows
HEADQ'Rs DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF
New Orleans, June 8, 1862.
SPECIAL ORDER No. 7O.-W lillian B.
Mumford, q citizen of New Orleans, having
been convicted before the Military Commis4
sion of treason and an overt act thereof in
tearing down the United States flag from a
public building of the United States, for the
purpose of melting other evil-minded per.
sons to further resistance to the laws and
arms of the United States, after said flag
was placed there by Commodore Farragut,
of the United States Navy
1t is ordered that he be executed, accord
ing to the sentence of the said Military
Commission, on Saturday, June 9TH insta nt,
between the hours of eight A. M. and twelve
NJ, under the direction of the Provost Mar
shal of the district of New Orleans; and for
80 doing this shall be his sufficient warrant.
By command of
f.. Major General BUTLER,
General Commanding.
Mumford exhibited little emotion, and
comported himself with great GOODNESS and
self-possession.
ARRIVAL At THE sCAFFOLD.
AT quarter before ten o'clock A. M. the
prisoner arrived OF the Mint and alighted.
1t was noticed bis eye Immediately sought
out the scafold. He gazsd at it for mo-
noent. and then naturally turning away bis
head, entered the building through the por-
tico, and was Immediately conveyed by two
officers in private apartment.
BEFORE DEATH.
While sitting here he entered into CONVEX
sation with several gentlemen present. He
stated that he was prepared to die. That
no doubt be had committed many errors du
ring bis life, but he hoped that they would
be forgiven him.
He then, addressing the crowd, stated, in
substance, that be was native of North
Carolina, but had been citizen of New
Orleans for many years. That the offence
for which he was condemned to die was
committed under excitement, and that be did
not consider that be was suffering Justly
He conjured ali who heard him to act justly
to all men, to rear their children pr operly,
and that when they met death they would
meet it firmly. He was prepared to die,
and as he had never wvoDged any one ne
hoped to receive mercy
THE LAST PREPARATIONS.
Having concluded, face was covered
with black mask, his head enveloped 10 a
large hood, and the rope pu. around bis
neck bis hands and legs were securely
tied and he stood alone upon the platform.
THE EXECUTION.
at thirteen minutes before Ii 4. NJ, after
a moments pause that seemed an age to
every one present, tn signal was given, the
platform, loaded with iron to accelerate its
fall, swung heavily down with cullen crash
and in few minutes the soul Of Wm. B.
y. .uuiorsu PASSED lntO tne presence OF DIS
Maker. 'i@ie. 9"t i
TIE CROWD.
During ali the time the vast crowd sway.
ed to and fro in front of the Mint, and
thronged the levee, every eye fixed upon
the awful scene, while along the long line
mounted men galloped, preserving order.
Upon the consummation OF the sentence the
assemblage quietly dispersed to their homes.
The crowd looked on very quietly, and
no demonstration Of any kind was made.
Many were of opinion that the execution
would not take place, but that the clemency
OF the Commanding General would be man
iiested in a pardon, and a large number
cluDg to this belief to the very last moment
The city Of Philadelphia has offered
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