The Portland daily press., 1863-01-12

were young men, but several we're quite old
and gray-headed. The scenes at the prison
and at the gallows on the day of execution,
are thus described in the ST. Paul Press:
The doomed ones wished it to be known
among their friends, and particularly their
wives and children, how cheerful and happy
they had all died, exhibiting no fear of this
dread event. To us it appeared not as an evil
dence of Christian faith, but steadfast adhe-
renee to their heather superstitions.
They shook hands with the officers who
came in among them, bidding them good bye,
as IL they were going on a long and pleasant
journey. They had added some fresh streaks
oil vermillion and ultramarine to their coun-
tenances, as their fancy suggested, evidently
intending to fix themselves off as CAV as
possible for the coming exhibition. They
commenced singing their death song, Ta-zoo
leading, and nearly all joining We had new
er heard this song, and could not now tell it
from war song, but it was wonderfully eX-
citing.
Their irons were knocked of, and one by
one were tied by cords, their elbows being
plnioned behind and their wrists in front but
about six inches apart This operation Occu-
pied till about nine o'clock. In the mean
time the scene was much enlivened by their
songs and conversation, keeping up the most
cheerful appearance. As they were being
pinioned, they went round the room shaking
hands with the soldiers and reporters, bidding
them good bye," DC. After all were proper
ly fastened, they stood up in row around
the room, and another exciting death song
was sung. They then sat down very quietly,
and commenced smoking again. Father Raw
oux came in and after addressing them few
moments, knelt in prayer, reading from a
prayer book in the Dakota language, which
portion of the condemned repeated after him.
During the ceremony, nearly all paid the most
strict attention, and several were affected to
tears. He then adressefthem again.
The caps were then put on their heads.
These were made of White muslin taken from
the Indians when their camps were captured,
and which formed part of the spoils they
had taken from the murdered traders. They
received these evidences OF their near ap-
proach to death with evident dislike. When
1t had been adjusted on one or two, they look
ed around on the Others who had not received
it with an appearance of shame. Chains and
cords had not moved them-their wear was
not considered dishonorable-butt the covering
OF the head with white cap was humiating.
There was no more singing, and but little con-
versation andsmoking now. All sat around
the room: the most of them in a crouched po-
sition, awaiting their doom, in silence, or lis
tening to the remarks of Father Ravoux, who
sun duuTeSSeu tneill. once III Wnlle tney
brought their small looking-glasses before
their faces, to see that their countenances yet
preserved the proper modicum of paint The
three hall-breeds were the most of all affected,
and their detection of countenance was truly
pitiful to behold.
At precisely 10 o'clock the condemned were
marshaled in procession, and headed by Capt.
Redfeld, marched out into the street, and direct
ly across through files of soldiers to the scafiold
which had been erected in front They went
eagerly and cheerfully, even crowding aud jost-
ling each other to be ahead just like lot of
hungry boarders rushing to dinner in hotel
The soldiers who were on guard in their quar-
tiers stacked arms and followed them, and they
in turn were followed by the clergy, reporters,
dc.
As they commemorative ascent Of the scaffoid,
the death song was again starred, and when
they had all got up, the noise they made was
truly hideous. 1t had wonderful effect In
keeping up their courage. One young fellow
porters, just before marching from their quar-
tiers, was smoking 1t on the stand, putting
away very coolly during the intervals of the
hideous 'Hi-yi-yi,' sHi-yi-yi,' and even after the
cap was drawn over his face he managed to
get it up over his mouth and smoke. Another
was smoking his pipe. The moose having been
promptly adjusted over the necks of each, by
Capt. LIBBY, all was ready LOT tne iatal slgnal.
The scene at this juncture was one OF awful
interest A painful and breathless suspense
held the vast crowd, which had assembled
from all quarters to witness the execution.
Three slow, measured, and distinct beats on
the drum by Major Brown, who had been an
nounced as signal officer, and the rope was cut
by Mr.. Duly-the scaffold fell, and thirty-sev-
en- lifeless bodies were left dangling between
heaven and earth. One of the ropes was brok-
en-, and the body of Rattling Runner fell to
the ground. The neck had probably been
broken, as but little signs of life were observed,
but he was Immediately hung up again.
As the platform fell, there was one, not loud,
but prolonged cheer from the soldery and
citizens who were spectators, and then all were
quiet and earnest witnesses of the scene. For