Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-01-15

directed that they each be hanged BY
the neck until they are dead, on next
Friday, at 10 O'clock in the forenoon.
That good ministers are here--both
Catholic and Protestant--from among
whom each one can select a spiritual
adviser. who will be permitted to COM
mnne with them constantly during
the four days that they arc yet tolive.
That | will now cause to be read
the letter Of their great fathyf at
Washington, first in English, and then
in their own language. [The Presi-
dents order was here read.
Say 10 them now that they have 80
sinned against their fellow men, that
there is no hope for clemcncy except
in the mercy Of God, through the mer.
it's Of the blessed Redecmer aud that
| earnestly cxhort them to apply to
that as their only remaining source
Of comfort and consolation"
Very naturally it would be expected
that this scene would be peculiarly
solemn and distressing to the doomed
savagcs. To all appearances, show
ever, it was not so. The prisoners
received their sentence very coolly.
At the close Of the FIRST paragraph
they gave the usual grunt Of approval
but as the second was being interpret
ed tp them, they evidently discovered
the drift of the matter, and their ap-
proval was less general and with but
little unction.
Several Indians smoker their pipes
composedly during the reading, and
we observed one in particular who.
when the time of execution was dcs-
ignated, quietly knocked the ashes
from his pipe and filed il afresh with
bis favorite kinnekinnick while an
other was slowly rubbing pipefull
Of the same article in his hand, prep.
aratory to . good smoke.
The Indians were evidently prepar.
ed for the visit and the announcement
Of their sentence-one or two having
overheard soldiers talking about II
when they we're removed TO . separ
ate apartment.
At the conclusion Of the ceremony,
Col. Miller instructnd Major Brown to
tell the Indians that each should
designate the minister of his choice,
that record Of the same would be
made, and that the minister so select
ed would have free intercourse with
him.
The Col. and spectators then with
drew. leaving the ministers in CONSUL
tation with the prisoners
On Monday q ge~efal order was
promulgated by the commander of the
post, forbidding all persons in Manka-
TO, and the adjoining territory for the
distance Of ten miles from headqnar.
tcrs, to sell OF give intoxicating liquors
including wines and beer, to the en-
listed men of the. United States forces
in this valley or vicinity. unless it be
npon en- order from the Colonel COM
manding.
Nearly all the prisoners under sem
teucc, have made confessions to their
spiritual advisers. They freely ad-
NIT having been engaged in several
battles but deny the charge Of hav-
ing wantonly and wickedly" mur.
dered white people. In this connec-
tion they make one sensible statement
to-wit That it is shame they should
be hung, while others of the prisoners
who are still more guilty, should be
allowed to 60 unpunished.
In making these statements, confes-
sions and denials, they are generally
calm but q few individuals were
quit eexcited. They were immediate
" checked by others, and told that
they were all dead men and there was
no reason why they should not tell
the truth. Many Of them have indi.
ted letters to their friends in which
they say they are very dear to them,
but will see them no more. They ex-
hort them not to cry or change their
dress for them, some Of them say
they expect to 60 and dwell with the
Good Spirit, and express the hope that
their frieuds will all join them.
On Tuesday evening they extern
porized dance with wild Indian
song. 1t was feared that this was
only cover for something else which
might be attempted, and their chains
were thereafter fastened TO the floor.
II seems, however,, rather probable,
that they were Only singing their death
song. Their friends from the other
prison have been in TO bid them fare-
well, and they are now ready to die.
The weather is as mild a. early au-
tumn. The streets are muddy, and
the travelling bad. Nevertheless the
people, soldiers and civilians are com
ing in from every direction and pres
ent appearances indicate that there
will be . vast multitude convened
here by the hour Of execution.
The following is copy Of . letter
fSom one Of the condemned prisoners
to bis chief and father-in-law, Wab-
ashav. Il was taken down in the
exact language dictated by the pris-
oner, and excepting its untruthfulness
W think ID an excellent letter:
WAsAsHAw You have deceived
me. You told me that If we followed
up the advice Of Gen. Sibley, and
give ourselves up TO the whites. all
would be we'll no innocent man
would be injured. have not killed,
wounded, or injured white man. ol
any white persons. Ihave not partic
| patcd in the plunder Of their property
and yet to-day I am set apart for ex
ecution and must die 10 = few days
while men who are guilty will remail
! in prison. Ny wife is yonr daughter
my children are your grandchildren
leave them 10 your caro- and undci
your protection. Do not let them sui
fer, ard when my children are gpowi
mp, let them know that their fathe
died because be followed the advice Q
his chief, and without having the bloot
Of : white man to answer for to ths
Great Spirit.
Ny wife and children are dear K
me. Let them not grieye for me. Le
them remember that the brave should