Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-18

OF the central pagoda music stand in the center
OF the ring Eacn coffin placed upon the
ground, With lts foot vest anil head east Thirty
soldiers of the Second NJ ; NJ we're drawn No
M single line. extending north ard south facing
The rDw Of collins This line Of execuiioners ran
Immediately Ut the east b.se Of the pagoda, Ieav
ing a-spsce between them and the cofhns OF
twelve or thirteen PAGES Reserves ~ere drawn
up in line upon either flank of these execntioners
The arrangements comrIesed, he doOme men
kuet upon the grass between their cofhus aud
the s,idiers, while the Rev X. u Rhodes of
fered ND a prayer. At the conclusion Of this.
etch prisoner took his seat upon the foot OF his
c.'fiin. facing the msskets which. in a few mo-
ments, were to launch them into eternity. They
were nearly all firm and uDdaunted Two or
three only showed signs Of trepidation.
The most noted Of the ten was Capt Thomas
A. Snider, of Monroe county, whose capture at
shebyvile. in the disguise Of man, we rela.
ted several weeks since. He was now elegantly
attired in a suit of black broadcloth, with white
vest. luxurious growth Of beautiful hair rolled
down upon his shoulders, which, with his fine
personal appearance, could not but bring to mind
the handsome but vicious Absalom. There was
nothing especially worthy of note in the appear
ance Of the others. One of them. Willis Baker,
OF Lewis county, was proven to be the man Who.
last year. shot and killed Mr. Ezekil Pratfe his
W..
county. All the others were rebels of lesser
note. the particulars Of whose crimes we are not
familiar with
few minutes after one o'clock Colonel
Strachen, Provost Marshal General, and Rev.
Dir. Rhodes, shook hands with the prisoners.
Two OF them accepted bandages for their eyes,
all the rest refused. A hundred spectators had
gathered around the amphitheater to witness the
impressive scene. The stiffness Of death per
vaded the place.
The officer in command now stepped forward
and gave the word Of command-"R Ready, aim.
hre The discharges. however. were not made
simultaneously-pro through want of a per
feet previous understanding of the orders and of
the time at which to fire Two of the rebels fell
backward upon their collins and died instantly
Captain Snider sprang forward and fell with his
head toward the SOLDIERS, his face upward. his
hands clasped upoL his breast and the left leg
drawn half way up He did not move again, but
died Immediately. He had requested the soldiers
to aim at hi heart and they obeyed but too i'm
plicitiy The other seven were not killed out
ilght; so the reserves were called in, who dis
patched them with their revovers.
The iiciess remains were then placed in cofins,
the lids, upon which the name of each man was
written. were screwed on. and the direful pro
cession returned 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 the military in the public
cemetery. The tragedy was over
Ii seems hard that ten men should die for one.
Under ordinrry circumstances it could hardly be
justified But severe diseases demand severe
remedies. The safety of the people is the SUI
preme law. 1t overdes all other considerations
The madness of rebellion has become so deep
seated that ordinary methods of cure are made
quste. To take life for life would be but little
intimidation to men seeking the hearts blood of
an obnoxious enemy. They could well afford to
make even exchanges under many circumstances
1t Is only 10y striking the deepest terror into them,
causing them to thoroughly respect the lives of
loyal men, that they can be taught to observe the
obligation of humanity and law.