The New York herald., 1862-01-07

the central guard house. and accompanied by MS SPIRIT
ua adviser, Father Walter, Of ST. Patricks church
placed in carriage, guarded by file Of regulars, con
veyed by way Of Ninth street 10 Pennsylvania svenuo
and thence 10 Franklin square Lanahan was dressed ia
his regular uniform and, with the exception oil an un
natural paleness, looked usual He was snort in
stature, and dark complexioned.
At eleven O'Clock escort composed OF hve deacn-
ments from regiments of United States infantry took
the prisoner through Fourteenth street and Vermont
the place execution vacant space between
o and streets. Here q gallows, which had been
erected during the morning and around this the troop
ranged in hollow square The prisoner was taken
from the carriage at quarter past eleven O'CLOCK and
with single armed guard, approached the scanoid ac-
companed by Father Walter He mounted the scahold
with firm STEP and looked around upon the soldiery
without fnching. General Devereaux, Assistant Ad-
jutant General read clear voice the order for the
execution, to which the prisoner calmly listened, occa
sonay looking around for the last time at his comrades
had gathered around the military to witness the impress
sive spectacle
The troops brought TO parade rest and the pri
soner requested that his arms which had been pnioned
behind him might be ooscnsd he desired to meet his
fate like man. The request was complied with, and
Father Walter put his doal robes and kne for
few minutes to offer up the last petition for him who
to expiate his crime. Lanahan looked around
when the priest had concluded his prayer and said in
cheerful and audible voice, as he looked around
upon the military Gordon Good bye soldiers, good
bye.n The black cap drawn over his face and he
stepped firmly upon the trap, where he placed himself
in the position Of the soldier with his by his side
All things being ready, Corporal Brown, at ha'fpast
eleven O'clock placed his foot upon the spring. and Lana
han who had unnerved for instant, FELL and
his life
There were few muscular contfactions OF the body
but the spinal cord broken, and IN few minutes
the surgeons examined the body and pronounced life
extinct The corpse placed in an army wagon, and
conveyed by comrades OF the deceased the Catholic
Cemetery for burial.
Within half hour after the execution the scaiold
was removed persons living square distant hardly
knew that such an affair had taken place in their neigh
borhood
The general order the execution Of Lanahan which
rccites the history of the case concludes follows
The Major General Commanding confirms the proceed
ngs Of the Court Martial in the case of private Michael
Ianahan 1t appears from the testimony that Sergeant
Rrennan the deceased, sergeant OF the guard a.
Georgetown, d. c. the 29th of October last The pr
private OF the guard and on the first relief
When the hour for posting that relief Lanaban
not at the guardhouse. AS Sergeant Brennan
was aboat posting another MN in tie place
house The Sergeant turned sharply towards him, told
him he never in place when wanted, slapped him.
anu tOiu MN 10 MS gun Tcst
his gun and took his place post. Sergeant Brennan
had previously given anahan hall hour of extra guard
duty. very few minutes afterwards, as Brennan was
passing by his post, the accused fred and killed him
The proof clear that he did this in satisfaction OF the
grudge he bore towards the deceased only for the
| blow given him the guard house, few minutes
before but for old scores, which he mentioned in his
statement to the Court 1t very reprehensble for
commissioned non-commissioned officer to strike
soldier, except when it is absolutely necessary TO
reprcss disorder. IL never allowable pun
ishmeni for offence But for soldier because
of being struck TO shoot his immediate superior,
with every principle OF military subordinaton. II
in evidence that IL not Customary for sentine.s
Georgetown have their loaded. The prisoner
have loaded his musket for the puose OF carrying
out his vindctive dcssn against his sergeant The hom
cde in this o Ia krone o. the features which
distinguish murder fr simple mars'aGgh;cr. Private
Michael Larahan, of Company A, Second regiment OF
United States infantry WILL In pursuance of the sentence
the Court Martial be hanged by the neck until he be
dead Monday the 9th day OF January, 1862, at such
time and place within the limits Of this district the
Provost Marshal OF Washington and Georgetown may
direct.
LEvEE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
There is be levee at the White House to morrow
evening.
WOOD FOR THE ARMY.
A most lively business is being carried In sup
plying wood for the army. All along the Chesapeake
Ohio Canal far up Cumberland the Maryland
Virginia shore, wood choppers cutting wood ship
ping by canal to this city. As each regiment allowed
two hundred and fifty cords for its winter consumption
the entire amount required is immense involving total
four dollars a cord for wood on tho ground