Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-10-17


EARccrseN eB GuERRrLLAs.-The
correspondent cf the St. Louis RepaBEcaa
ut Macon CRY, Nc, gives the following ac-
count of the recent execution Of ten guer-
riiles there's
"0n the 2sth, enc hundred and forty
-four Of the Harris House prisoners were
shipped by railroad 10 ST. Isoais, for inn
prlsonment daring the war; and, on the
day following, Friday, ten Of those left
The raost deprsyed and dangerous of the
gang were shot rs punishment for their
crimes, as an example and warning to 9TH
Srs Of their kind that are still at large
The ceremonies attending this execution
were exceedingly impressive. On the morn
ing OF the 18th, the condemned were sepa-
rated from their comrades, and confined in
2 freight car on the Hannibal and St. 10.
seph railroad, and we're at the same time
Informed of the doom that awaited Them
They knew that they could not in reason
hope for pardon, nor for anything in fact,
short of the punishment due for the triple
crime of treason, perjury and murder. Ev-
ery man of them had for the third time |
been captured while engaged in the business |
of robbery and assassination among his /
own neighbors All Of them had twice,
some of them three, and others had four /
times made solemn oath TO bear faithful nj
iegiance to the federal government, to new
er take up arms in behalf of the traitors
cause, but in all respects to deport them
selves as true and loyal citizens of the
United States. And every man of these
ten traitors had perjored himself as often
as be had subscribed to this oath, and at the
same lime his hands were red with repeated
murders.
4 At ii o'clock a. M, on Friday, the pro-
cession was formed, and the silent multi
tubes, civil and military, moved at the sig
nal Of the mulfled drum, toward the field OF
execution. The executioners were detailed
from the 23d Missouri infantry, and num-
bered sixty-six men. They marched six
abreast, with prisoner in the rear Of each
ole. A hollow square, or rather paralelo-
gram, was formed on slightly declining
prairie, BALI mile south Of the village.
The executioners formed the south liue Of
Shis square, the balance of the Missouri
z3d the east and west lines, and Merrilrs
house the north. The executioners were
divided off into firing parties of six for
each prisoner, leaving reserve of six that
were stationed in the rear. Gen. Merrill
and staff were stationed close within the
northeast angle of the square. The firing
parties formed a complete line. but were
detached about two PAGES from each other.
Zach prisoner was marched out ten PAGES
N front, and Immediately south of his six
execntioners. This order having been COM
pleted, the prisoners were severally blinded
with bandages Of white cloth, and were then
required to kneel for the terrible doom that
awaited them. AT this time every tongue Z
vas silent, and nothing was more audible
han the heart throbs of the deeply moved
md syfnpathizing multitude. AT a signal
rom the commanding officer, DIR. Lands
ben stepped forward to address the Throne
i Grace His prayer was the mterance
i plying heart brief, eloquent and i'm
'resslVe. Il was an earnest appeal for par
oning mercy for those who were about to "
fep into the presence Of their Maker. And
ben followed the closing scene of this i'm
losing drama. The prisoners remained
3neeline, while sixty muskets were pointed
= their palpitating hearts. What q fear Jo
u pause and 0, how briefl The signal
given, and the fatal volley is discharged. Ma
5ehold the awful changed A moment r
lnce those ten men stood before us in the
perfection Of life. Alas what and where
re they nowP Every lip is dumb !-every
ye : dim EVERY beam of intelligence is p
AIDED out forever! What a swift exit from
ime to eternityl"