Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-12-25


turned northward. entering the fair
grounds half mile east Of the town on
the west side, and driving wi hin the cir
cuIar amphithcatre ring, paused for tho
final consumation Of the scene.
The ten coffins were removed from the
wagons and placed in a row, six or eight
feet apart, forming a line north and south
about fifteen PAGES east Of the central pa
CODA or music stand, in the center ring.
Each coffin was placed upon the ground,
with its foot west and head east. Thirty
soldiers Of thc'second NJ. S. NJ. were drawn
mp in single line, extending north and
south, facing the row Of cofins. This
line Of executioners ran at tho east base
OF the pagoda, leaving space between
them and the collins Of twelve or thirteen
PAGES. Reserves were drawn up in line
upon either flank Of these executioners.
The arrangements completed, the doom
ed men kneIt upon the grass between their
collins and the soldiers, while the Rev. r.
NJ. Rhodes offered mp prayer. At the
conclusion Of this, each prisoner took his
scat upon the foot Of his coffin, facing
the muskets. which, in few moments,
were to launch them into etc nifty They
were nearly all firm and undaunted Two
or three only showed signs Of trepia-
ton.
The most noted Of the ten was Capt.
Thomas A Snider, OF Monroe county,
whose capture at Shelbyville, in the dis
guisc of woman, We related several
weeks since. He was now elegantly at.
tired in suit Of black broadcloth, with
white vest. a luxurious growth Of beau
tilul hair rolled down upon his shoulders,
which, with his fine personal appearance,
could not but bring to mind the hand T.
some but vicious Absolom. There was
nothing especially worthy Of note in tho
appearance Of the others. One OF them,
1 Will. Baker, Of Lewis county, was pro-
ven to be the man who, last year, shot
and killed his neighbor Eekziel Pratte,
his Union neighbor, near WiIiamstown,
in that county. All the others were reb-
els of lesser note, the heparticulars Of whose
crimes we are not familiar with.
A few minutes after one o'clock, Col
Strachan, Proves; Marshal General, and
Rev. Mr.. Rhodes, shook hands with the
! prisoners. Two of them accepted ban
dages for their eyes, all the rest refused
a hundred spectators had gathered around
the amphitheatre to witness the impress
sive scene. The stiffness of death per-
vaded the place.
The officers in command now stepped
forward and gave the word of command,
Ready, aim, frep' The discharges,
however were not made simultaneous,
/ probably through want of previous Under
standing Of the orders, and of the time
at which to fire. Two of the rebels fell
backward upon their cofins and died in
stantly. Captain Snider sprang forward
and fell toward the soldiers, his face up
ward, his hands cla,ped upon his breast
and the left leg drawn half up. He did
not move again but died Immediately
He had requested the soldiers to aim at
his heart, and they obeyed too implicitly.
The other seven we're not killed outright,
SO the reserves were called in, who dis
patched them with their revolvers.
The liteless remains were then placed
in the coffins, the lids, upon which thC
name OF each man was written, were
screwed on, and the doleful procession re-
turned to town by the same route that it
pursued in going, but the souls of ten
men that went out came not back.
Friends came and took seven of the
corpses. Three were buried by military
in the public cemetery. The tragedy was
over.
1t seems hard that ten men should die
for one. Under ordinary circum stances
it could hardly be justified But severe
diseases demand severe remedies. The
safety of the people is the Supreme Law
1t overrides all other considerations
The madness of rebellion has become SO
deep seated that ordinary methods of care
are inadequate. To take life tor life
would be little intimidation to men seek.
ing the hearts blood of an obnoxious en-
emy. They could well afford to make
even exchanges under many circumstan-
ces. 1t is only by striking the deepest
terror into them-causing them to thor.
oughly respect the lives of loyal men
that they can be taught to observe the oh,
legation Of humanity and law.