The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-12

q distance of ten miles from the bsttle-feld
ne virtually abandoned his command to it's
fate. As the sound Of continued battle
must have been heard by him all the after
noon it will be difficult for him to to find
an excuse for such step.
THE EXECUTION OF A REBEL SPY.-Pu-
LAsKI, TENN, Dec. ], 1s63.-A few DAYS
ago Gen. Dodge's scouts, noble band of
rebel mail-carrier, Mr.. Samuel Davis.
within six miles of Pulaski, and of course
he was brought in as a trophy, and turned
over to military authority. Upon his Der
son was found pass, signed by General
Braxton Bragg, stating that the bearer was
member Of Capt. Coleman's scouts, and
not to be interrupted. Other documents.
giving valuable information relative to the
number, strength and position of the Fed
eral army, in and around the post, was al
sossdiscovered with him. .,-
A Military Commission was organized
Immediately. Col. Madison Miller of the
18th Missouri, was President. Mr.. Davis
being spy he plead "Not guilty." To the
charge of being a carrier of mails to per-
sons in arms against the Government, he
acknowledged that he was Guilty.
The Commission, after mature delibera-
ton, pronounced him guilty of both charg-
es, and, in accordance with the laws ofwar.
sentenced him to be hung. General Dodge
approved the sentence, and designated
Friday, Nov. q, as the fatal day. -.
The gallows We're being erected on pref
ty eminence, northeast Of Pulaski, and
overlooking the town, under orders from
Gen. Sweeney, who was charged to make
all the preliminary arrangements, in de-
tail. Some of the citizens went to him and
protested against the execution being al
n "a lSp ha no.
had no wish TO witness ii. 'Let him be
hung GUITAR out of town, General" mo-"
sternly replied the General; ~ want him
hung where you all can see him. There
are more of you guilty of his crime-I
know it-andif ever get my hands upon
same gallows." His words the citizens
believe, without waiting for one to rise
rom the dead. =s.. 20 .,.r -7w... s.s.
Friday, hangman's day, unlucky day,
dawned under cloud, for the whole Hea-
vens were black with them. All nature
warm hearts, loyal and true, but more that
were not, melted into sympathy. -Four
companies of the 1llth Illinois and two
companies Of the 9TH Iowa were drawn up,
forming hollow square, with fixed bayo-
nets, with the gallows in the center OF st
Hundreds and thousands were the specta-
tors; the soldiery paraded about the guard
their dwellings. -... .-
The prisoner, seated upon his coffin, I'M
der guard, in wagon, arrived at ten o.
clock, and from that moment all eyes were
upon him. He was young man, about
the medium hight, rather slightly made,
active, impulsive, and intelligent. While
sitting upon his coffin, in full view of the
scaffoId, with death even there before mis-
eyes, he was prOtfered full and free par
don II he would only give information OF
his Captains whereabouts, for that gentle
mans capture is military necessity
Davis received the offer with indignation,
and replied scornfully, addressing the OFF,
Ger who made it: rH@ ... .-. ..F.4
would YOU betray friend? Ihdd rtt-
Their die thousand DEATHS" s ,
| Only moment before he assembled the
| scaffold, he remarked to Capt. Armstrong,
the prince of clever fellows, as also the
best of Provost Marshals, who stood near
| him as his executioner, laughing as he
spoke: 4.l ....sEI. E....lr.
"Well, Captain, yon'n have to fight these
battles alone, hereafter, for I'll soon be out
| of your way" .t-.. ed. .r.a....eE
With quick, firm, proud step, he as
cended the stairway to the platform, and
there he actually stopped as if to place his
head within the moose, supposing he was
| to be 'otf his legs in twinkling. One
| thing was yet lacking.
| The Provost Marshal took off the prison.
er's hat, for his hands were tied behind
him, and then Chaplain Young, of the Slst
OHIO, addressed the throne OF mercy IN pc
half of his soul. And that prayer-it was
long and fervent. He prayed that if re-
prieve was not to be given on earth, that a
| higher, better, lasting one might be given
in Heaven, where wars come not. Then
he implored Gods blessing upon our whole
country-that sweet peace might soon re-
turn again-that the time when war should
| no we oi(yhf
Oily; and every breathing heart in that
vast multitude said, "Amen!'
| Capt. Armstrong then drew white cap
over the soldiers head, adjusted the moose
about his neck, sprang the trap, and at
half-past ten o'clock the youthful, gifted,
fearless, but wicked enemy, was suspend
ed between heaven and earth!
There Were men in that crowd who had
braved death at Donelson, Shiloh, and
| Corinth-men who never knew fear
men who hate the life of any rebel; but
when the young scout, as brave as he was
strong, in his death-struggles writhed be-
fore them, they involuntarily turned their
backs, nor did they care to look again.
Davis. lived about three minutes, hung
full eighteen minutes, when his body was
taken down, placed within the coffin, and
buried in the cemetry. That night ever
greens We're planted. and now sigh IN the
wild wintry winds DER his grave, while
| flowers, culIed by fair hands, were strewn
upon it. f.r.s.
And there upon the eminence, overlook
ing the town of Pulaski, like some white
specter with it's long, gaunt arms. as q
speaking monument, stands the gibbet.
i YOUNG AMERICA.
A GHOST ON BOARD THE GREAT EAST
EsT.-On the 18th, Captain w. Patton, while
addressing the members of the Mercantile
Marine Association, in reference to the
plan for repairing the big ship, mentioned
| o;pp,,)or occurrence which took place in