The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-06-27
From the N. o. Delta, June 8
Execution Of VIM. B. Mumford.

nounced that VIM. B. Mumlord the man
sentenced TO death for tearing down The
United States flag hoisted on the Mint by
Commodore Farragu; upon the occupation
Of the city by the Union forces, would
expia,e his ofiense on the gallows-
| Crowds were soon vending their way
toward the Mint. where all doubts were
dspelled by the ghSsily spectacle of a
gal!ows projecting from window in the
second story of that building, fronting on
Esplanade street, directly under, as il
were, the flagstaff that had borne the
colors in question.
In the mean time, the unfortunate man
was awaiting his fate in the Custom House.
On the evening OF the 9th inst, three days
ago, the order Of execution was read TO
him by Deputy Provost Marshal Stafford,
he being charged with carrying into fleet
the details OF the sentence in consequence
OF the illness of Provost. Marshal French
| The document reads as follows:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE
GULF, n. O., June 9Th, 1869.
SPECIAL ORDER No 7o.-WiIliam B.
Mumford, citizen Of New Orleans, hav.
ing been convicted before the Military
Commission OF treason and an overt act
thereof 10 tearing down the United States
! flag from public building OF the United
States, for the purpose OF inciling other
eVil.minded persons TO further resistance
to the laws and arms OF the United States,
after said flag was placed there By Com.
modore Farragut Of the United States
Navy.
1t is ordered that he be executed, &C.
cording to the sentence OF the said Military
Commission, on Saturday, June 7, inst. :,
between the hours Of 3 A. M. and l2
under the direction Of tie Provost Marsha
of the District Of New. Orleans and for
so doing this shall be his sufficient war,
rant. BY command Of
Maj Gen. BUTLER. General Com.
Mumford exhibited little emotion, and
comported himself with great coolnes:
and self.possession.
Abou: 8 O'Clock A. NJ, strong escort
composed Of the 1e.h Maine Volunteers
Col. Kmbel, sci out from the Mint, and
arriving at the Custom House, the pris.
oner passed into their custody, his hand.
lied behind his back, but otherwise his
movements unimpeded.
He seemed TO be man OF about forty
years OF age, middle sized. his face deeply
pitled with smallpox. and wearing a very
heavy beard. He was calm in his de.
meanor, and his counienance exhibited
no trace Of the dreadful ordeal he was un.
dergoing, except tina; it was frightlully
pale. As he passed out under the escort
of two officers, he waved a last adiea te
some one in the crowd.
Before he started, he was accorded the
mournful privilege Of bidding farewell ic
his wife and children. The meeting was,
indeed. sorrowiul one.
Passing out through the entrance on
Old Levee street, he entered an army
wagon, accompanied by Az officer, and to
the solemn sound Of slowly beaten drums,
the corlege passed on. troop of cavalry
riding in advance, and the prisoner in the
cenler Of a column OF infantry. On each
side Of the street, before and behind the
funeral procession great CROWD went or
in decorous silence 10 witness the last &C
OF the tragedy.
:. At o'clock A. NJ. the prisoner arrived
} at the Mint, and alighted. Itwas noticed
| his eye Immediately sought out the scat
fold. lie gazed at il for moment. ant
then naturally turning away bis head
entered the building through the portco
and was Immediately conveyed by two
officers into private apartment.
While sitting here he entered into con
versation with severul gentlemen present
He stated that he was prepared to die
That no doubt he had committed many
errors during his life, but he hoped tha
they would be forgiven him.
lie few moments large black cassocl
was brought in, and he was invested will
it, his neck handkerchief and collar were
removed, and it was announced to hin
} that it was time 10 die. Getting up, b,
walked firmly out on the scsfold, anc
stood in the brigh, sunlight with thou
sands of eyes fixed upon him.
f The order Of execution was then reat
amid a brea.hless silence. Then con
Guiding it be was asked il he had anything
3 10 say 10 the assembled multitude. He
Slgnlhed that he had.
!, He then, addressing the crowd, stated
: in substance. that he was a native o
North Carolina, but had been citizen O
q New wOrleans for many years. That thu
" offense for which he was condemned I,
/ die was committed under excitement, AM
+. that he did not consider that he was SUI
S lering justly. He coujured all who hearf
s him to act Justly TO all men. 20 rear thei
Q children properly, and that when the!
met death they would meet it firmly. HI
I was prepared TO die and as he had neve
/ wronged any one, he hoped TO receive
t mercy.
i Having concluded, his face was cove teC
9 with black mask, his head enveIoped il
> large hood, and the rore put arounc
. his neck his hands and legs were Sc
n curely tied, and he stood alone upon tn
d platform.
i At l3 minutes before II A, NJ, afte
d a moments pause, that seemed an age t
d every one present, the signal was given
:. The platform, loaded with iron 10 accel
: : crate its fall. swung heavily down with
y sullen crash, and in a few minutes tn
= soul OF VIM. B. Mumford passed into tn
presence OF his Maker.
: During all this time a vast crow
d swayed 10 aud fro in front OF the Mint
and thronged the levee, every eye fxe
;, upon the awful scene; while along tn