Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-10-06
Murder of Spencer Kellogg.

Spencer Kellogg who was hung in Rich
mond as a spy, last week, was Spencer KEEL
logg Brown, son of d. C. Brown, Esq, and
grandson Of Levi Cozzens, Esq, Of Utica.
He has been in the service since the war broke
out. He was scout under Fremont in Mis-
souri, and subsequently connected with Com
modore Porter, who had him promoted to the
rank of fourth master on the gunboat force
1t was while attempting to Gun out and destroy
a rebel boat on the Mississippi under orders
from Commodore Porter that young Brown
was captured. He has lain for many months
in rebel prisons. He had been for more than
once among the rebel hOrdes, and had preced
ed the Union advance down the Mississippi,
in all its stages, to Vicksburg. Commodore
Porter declared he had been of more service
to the Union cause than any general officer in
the army. Captured as he was in legitimate
enterprise of war, Commodore Porter insists
that the rebels had no right to try him as
spy, and he made every effort to save him.
What adds to this outrage and calamity is the
assurance Of Gen. Haleck, given as late as
Monday last, to the father of the murdered
man, that his son should be protected,
as there was no ground for his execu-
ton, and it was therefore impossible. Notice
was given at once, by flag of truce, that retail
iation would follow such an act of brutality;
was executed on Friday OF last week, three
days before the interview. The government
had been made aware of this peculiar case
before, but that delay which at all times be-
comes so criminal, and has too often cnarac-
terlzed this administration, made the final APP
peal too late.
From the Statement of an Escaped Prisoner.
Mr.. Spencer Kellogg Brown, whose murder
adds but another crime to the cruelty and the
relentless hate Of the Richmond government
and for which no retrbution will be enacted
was well known to the inmates of Libby pris-
on, by all of whom he was very much respect
ed, Our informant saw him go forth on the
morning Of his execution, and although the
glance ne gained OF him was but mOmrntary
he was Immediately impressed with the air of
untnching and undying courage which the
brave fellow exhibited in all his bearing
Nobly and etfectually he, in his single per-
son, rebutted the lying taunts of the rebels
as TO the cowardice and craven spirit OF
the Yankees These taunts, his spirit at the
place Of lis early and undeserved doom, re-
turted with such effect, that his fate must
even now be a source OF shame and regret to
his chief murderers. No liberty was given to
his fellow prisoners to bid him farewell, and
they only learned few particulars connected
with his fate. 1t was well understood among
them that Mr. Brown ad received no Motif
cation of the mockery of a trial which was
held, until Wednesday, two days before the
time fixed for it, On Friday he was brought
before his mercless and unjust judges, all
unprepared as he was. He demanded few
days pOstpOnement in order to see lawyer
to whom he could relate all the facts con-
nected with his career as a Union patriot and
his capture by the rebels. But one days
w granted fpr tbi
and on the following day he was again con-
fronted by his eXeCuti0ners. MIR. Crane, a
lawyer, attended in his behalf, but as he had
not been permitted to visit the unfortunate
man previously, he could only pray the court
to grant pOstpOnement sufficient to enable
him to consult with his client and to summon
as witnesses those present at his capture.
The drum-head court martial was assembled,
and could not be moved from their purpose,
although appealed to in the name of fair play
and justice by one of their own citizens. All
appeal was vain. Judge Ould, or 'Commis-
sioner'' Oud was the judge advocate, and he
was infleXibie. Seeing this, Mr.. Crane in.
formed his doomed but uudaunted client that
under the circumstances, all efforts as an ad
vocate must be vain, and more likely to exas-
perate and injure than to conciliate or serve,
and he left him alone with lis bio dthirsty
Judges. The form of Il trial was gone through
and Mr.. Brown was doomed to DEATH He
was sentenced to be hung, though, with eX-
cessive cruelty, they declined to name the
day they had decided upon for his execution.
On Wednesday he was informed of his speed
lily coming fate, and on the succeeding Fri
day, two days alterward, he was led forth to
die. Our informant afterward conyersed for
moment or two with Mr. Browns last exc
cutioner, who, it appears, is or was Rich
mond police detective, of the name of KEEP
pard. This ''worthy' stated that he had hung
fifteen men, but that this noble Yankee was
the bravest man he had ever seen die-the
only favor he asked at his enemy's hands be-
ing that they would add foot's length to the
fated rope, that his death might be the surer
and more speedy,