Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-01-29

cutio of thirty eight Indians condemned to be hanged
by the Lcon Cove nent for their recent raid on the
people OF Minnesota We annex few extracts from
this terrible narrative:
MIDNIGHT SCENE IN THE CELL OF THE CONDEMNED.
/ Late on Thursday night, in company with Lent
Col. Marshall visited tt building occupied by the
doomed Indians They were quartered on the ground
or of The three story stone building erected by the
| lae Gen. Leech.
They were all fastened to the floor with chains, two
by two. Some wire sitting up, smoking and convers-
ing while others were reclining covered with blankets
and apparently asleep. The three halbreeds and one
or two others only dressed in citizens clothes
The rest wore the breech cout eggings Blankets and
not few were adorned with paint The majority were
Dung men, though several quite old and grey head
ed, ranging, perhaps towards seventy Ohe 10 quite
youth, not over sixteen.
They all appeared cheerful and conented, and seemed
scarcely to reflect the certain doom which awaited
them. AS gazad On them, the recollection OF how
short time since they had been engaged in the da-
bolca work of murderipg Unfortunately, both old
and young sparng neither sex nor condition. cent q
thrill of horror through veins. Now they per-
iectly harmless and look as innocent children They
smile at your entrance and hold out their hands to be
shaken which yet appear to be cory with the blood of
| babes.
! Fatker Rsvoux spent the whole night among the
doomed ones talking with them concerning their fate
and endeavoring to impress upon them serious vie"
of the subject He met with success, and during
the night several baptized and received the COM
! nuniOn oil the church.
RELIGIOUS EXERClsES-LAST INTERVIEW WITH THE PRS
oNERs-1HE DEATH SONG
At daylight we were again there. That good man,
Father Rayoux, still with them, so Rev. DIR. Will
iamson and whenever either of these worthy ad-
dressed Them they listened to with marked atten-
ton. The doomed wis ed it? to be known among
their friends and particularly their wives and Children
how cheerful they ali died. exhibiting fear of this
dread event. To it cared not as an evidence OF
7nIf
en- super tions.
They shock hands with the officers who came in among
them bidding them good by as if they were going on a
long and pleasant journey. They added some fresh
streaks of vermion ard ultra marine to their counte
narces their fancy suggested evidently Intending to
fix themselves eff gay as possible for the coming ex-
hbiton. They commenced singing their death song,
Ia leading, and nearly all joining. We had never
heard this song and could not tell it from the song
but it wonderfully exciting.
THE PROCESSION TO THE GALLows-THE FINAL SCENE
THE LAST DEATH SONG.
At precisely 10 o'clock, the condemned were marsh
allied n procession, and headed by Capt Redhed,
marched out into the street. and directly through
the file of soldiers to The scaold which had been ect-
ed in front and delivered to the officer of the day.
Capt Burt They went eagerly and cheerfully, even
crowding ana osng each other to be ahead, Just like
lot of hungry boarders to dinner in hotel The SOL
diers WHO guard in their quarters, stacked
and followed them and they in turn were followed by
the clergy reporters, etc.
AS they commenced The ascent of the scaffoid, the
death song again started and when they had all
got up the noise they made truly hdeous It
ed if pandemCnium had broken loose. 1t bad
derfa effect in keeping up their courage One young
fellow who had been given cigar by OF the repor
tcrs ust before marching from their quarters, was
smoking it the stand, putting away very cooly dur
ing the int! Walls of the hideous Hyi y," Hyi-yi,"
and after the cap drawn bis face, he managed
to get it up over big mouth and smoke. Another was
smoking BIS pipe The Moose having Eeen promptly ad
justed the neck Of each by Captain Libby, all was
ready for he fatal signal.
THE AWFUL FINALS
The scene at this uncure one Ct awful interest
painful and breathess suspense held the vast crowd
which had assembled from all quarters to witness the
execution
bree Sow hit asurtd ard distinct beats on the drum
by Ii oior Drowp no had been announced signal Of
fcer, and the rope cut by Mr.. Duly-the scafold
tell and thiry-seven elss bodies were left dangling
between heaven ard earth One of the ropes bro
ken and Il body Of Rafting Runner fell to the ground
TIE -ek had probably been broken, but little signs
OF life observed, but be Immediately hung up
agsin. While tie signal beat was being given num-
be1s were clasp the hands of their neighbour,
which, in several instances continued to be caspei till
the bodies cut down.
AS tie platform fell, there one, not loud, but
prolonged cLeer from the soldery and citizens who
spectators, and then all quiet ard earnest
witnesses OF the scene For so many, there was but
little suffering the nceks of ALL or nearly al evil
IDENTIFY dlslocaed by the fall, and The afterstruggng
slight The scafold fell at quarter past ten
o'clock, ard in twenty minu the bodies had all been
examined by Surgeons Le Bouttlillier SheardOwn,
Finch Clark and others, and life pronounced extinct
The Very Latest from
q ReOOrter