The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-06-26

request, administered the sacrament to them.
They also wrote some letters to their friends,
and deposited their jewelry, silver cups, and
other valuables, for transmission to their
friends.
The gallows was constructed by a wild
cherry tree not far from the depot, and in q
very public place. Two ropes hung dangling
from the beam, reaching within eight feet OF
the ground. A little after nine o'clock A..
M. the whole garrison was marshalled a
round the place of execution in solemn sad
ness: Two poplar collins were lying a few
feet away. Twenty minutes past nine the
guards conducted the prisoners to the scafold
they walked firm and steady, as if unmind-
full of the fearful precipice which they were
approaching. The guards did them the honor
to march with arms reversed.
Arrived at the place of execution, they
stepped upon the platform Of the cart and
took their respective places. The Provost
Marshal, Captain Alexander then tied linen
handkerchief over the face of each and adj
justed the ropes. They then asked the privi-
lege Of bidding last farewell, which being
granted, they tenderly embraced each other.
and they, hung in the air. What a fearful.
penalty. Lucy swung oA de y oo-iA wv
minutes the Lieutenant ceased to struggle
The Colonel caught hold of the rope with
both hands and raised himself up at three
minutes, and ceased to struggle at five mi
nutes. At six minutes DR.. Forester. Surgeon
9th Kentucky cavalry, and DR.. Moss, 18th
Illinois infantry, and myself, who had been
detailed to examine the bodies, approached
them and found the pulse of both full and
strong. At seven minutes the Colonel shrug
ged his shoulders. The pulse of each con-
tinued to beat seventeen minutes, and at
twenty minutes all signs of life had ceased.
The bodies were cut down at thirty minutes
and encofined in full dress. The Colonel was
buried with gold loeket and chain on his
neck. The locket contained the portrait and
a braid of hair of his intended wife-her por-
trait was also in his vest pocket-these were
buried with him at his request Both men
were buried in the same grave companions
in life, misfortune and crime. companions in
infamy, and now companions in the grave.
should have stated in another place that
the prisoners did not want their punishment
delayed, but well knowing the consequences
of their acts, even before their trial. asked to
have the sentence. be it by hanging or shoot
ing, quickly decided and executed. But they
deprecated the idea of death by hanging, and
asked fol- Communication of the sentence to
shooting
The elder and leader of these unfortunate
men was Lawrence Williams, Of Georgetown,
D. G. He was as fine looking man as have
ever seen, about six feet high and perhaps
thirty years old. He was son of Captain
Williams. who was killed at the battle Of Mon.
terey. He was one of the most intellectual
and accomplished men that have ever known.
[ have never known any one who excelled
him as q talker. He was member of the
regular army with the rank of.captain of ca
yalry when the rebellion broke out, and at
that time was aid-de-camp, and private sec
rotary to Gen. Winfield Scott. From this
confidence and respect shown him by SO dis
man, may be judged his educa-
ton and accomplishments. He was a FIRST
cousin Of Gen. Lee, commanding the Confe-
deyate army on the Rappahannock. Soon af- !
ter the war began he was frank enough to in
form Gen. Scott that all his sympathies were
with the South, as his friends and interests
were there. and that he could not fight against
them. As he was privy to all of Gen. SCOTS
plans for the campaign, it was not thought
proper to turn him loose, hence he was sent
to Governors Island. where he remained three
non.ls a.el sne s nss Daa a'un oa'as nc
was al,eMeu 70 q oou.i l.. wnere ~ lolseu .ne
ooi1leaera.e ally ald nas nis.o
nave nos peen G au,e % isain .aen a n:
e waI awnhe s ~ uSn' :saa a. onael
- ~ o1s a. .Ie 'i Wboa ms iea.n .a
confadarats armv be altered his na, name and M.
now Sims Il thus: Lawrence W. Orton. Cal
Cav a q S. 40 Provisional Armv
Confederate States Of america Sometimes
ba ,-r;tos he mama s.Clrton ~ ah,d sometimes