The Portland daily press., 1862-11-01
Supposed Murder of Union Man---Ten
Confederate Prisoners Shot i'm Retaliation.

The fact has been published that Gen. Me-
Neil caused ten Confederate prisoners TO be
shot at Palmyra, Mo-, on the 18th inst. The
cause of the tragedy, and the particulars of
the execution are given as follows:
lFrom the Palmyra, No., courierl
When the rebels entered Palmyra, an old
resident of the place, Andrew Allsman by
name, mysteriously disappeared, and it is sup
posed he was murdered.
When Gen. Mcneil returned to Palmyra, af-
ter that event, and ascertained the circum-
stances under which Allsman had been alb
ducted he caused to he issued notice that if
the missing man was not returned within ten
days he would retaliate upon the rebel prison
ers In his hands.
The ten days elapsed, and no tidings came
of the man. The tenth day expired with last
Friday. On that day ten rebel prisoners, al
ready in custody, were selected to pay, with
their lives, the penalty demanded. The names
OF the men so selected were as follows:
Willis Baker, Lewis county.
Thomas Humston, Lewis county.
Morgan Bixler, Lewis county.
John Y. McPheeters, Lewis county.
Herbert Hutson, Rails county.
John NJ. Wade, Rails county.
Marion Lair, Rails county
Capt. Thomas A. Sidner, Monroe county.
EleaZer Lake, Scotland county.
Hiram Smith, Knox county.
These parties were informed on Friday eve-
ming that unless Mr.. Allsman was returned to
his family by O'Clock on the following day
they would all be shot at that hour Most OF
them received the announcement with COM
posure or Indifference. The Rev. James S.
Green, of this city, remained with them dur
ing that night as their spiritual adviser. en-
deavoring to prepare them for their sudden
entrance into the presence of their Maker
A little after II o'clock NJ, the next day,
three government wagons drove to the jail
One contained four, and each of the Others
three rough board collins. The condemned
men were conducted from the prison. and
seated In the wagons-one upon each coffin.
A sufficient guard of soldiers accompanied
them, and the cavalcade started for the fatal
grounds. Proceeding east to Maine street,
the cortege turned, and moved slowly south
ward as far as Malones livery stable.
Thence turning east it entered the Hannibal
road, pursuing it to the residence of Colonel
James Culberston. There throwing down the
fences they turned northward, entering the
Fair Grounds thalf mile east of the town len
the west side and driving within the circular
amphtheatrical ring, paused for the final con-
summation of the scene.
The ten collins were removed from the wa
gons and placed in a row, six or eight feet a.
part, forming line north and south about
fifteen PAGES east of the central pagoda or mu-
sic stand in the centre of the ring Each
coffin was placed upon the ground with its
foot west and head east. Thirty soldiers of
the I'd M. s. NJ, were drawn up in single
line, extending north and south, facing the row
OF collins. This line OF executioners ran i'm
mediately at the east tof the pa goda-leaving
space between them and the coffins OF
tWel'e or thirteen PAGES. Reserves were
drawn up in line upon either flank of these
executioners.
The arrangements completed. the doomed
men knelt upon the grass between their coffins
and the soldiers, while the Rev r. NJ. Rhodes
offered up prayer AT the conclusion OF this
each prisoner took his seat upon the foot ol
his coffin, facing the muskets which in a few