Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-30

or, Mr.. Griffith and the other gentlemen
shook him BY h ehand and babe him fare
well.
"Ths Sergeant-Msjor then stepped up
and began tying his hands, which he
placed behind his back Voluntarily. de
stood silent for q moment and said some
thing which we did not hear, but eonelud-
ed, IF I could only be spared, 1 would en-
ter the regiment again and do my duty as
we'll as any manin ii, or (hesitating) as
we'll IS Fam able By this time his hands
were tied, and he glanced round the ranks,
and m at the sun, as if to take a last
look at earth. The Sergeant-Major led
him to the coffin, and seated him upon 1t
facing the firing party, with his back to
the east. He sat q second, drew his feet
toward him, and settled himself back on
the coffin, as if to brace himself against
the shock that was to come 80 soon and so
terribly. The Sergeant-Maior tied the
band Of black cloth round his eyes, n
stepped rapidly of to the right and front
out Of the range Of the guns. Then the
prisoner, being left alone, for the first time,
exclaimed, 30, that 1 could see my death,
in a tone Of deep sadness which those who
heard will never forget. A whisper from
lieutenant Sherley to the firing party
brought all the guns to a ready The
clicking of the cocks was heard ell around.
The prisoner heard ii, too, but be only
showed his consciousness Of it by the
movement Of his lips in prayer, which be-
came audible, but not ineligible, as the
guns were lowered to take aim. Lord
. God in allow tone, as if part Of his pray
er. was heard, and the crash Of the guns
followed instantly. At the explosion he
fell straight back over his coffin, without
a sound or struggle. His feet, which rest
ed on the coffin, were motionless. He had
obtained his wish. His comrades had
/ done their duty well and truly, mi killed
him instantly. 80
"The surgeon ran to him. SIS he deadP
asked Colonel Biddle. He is dying he
will be dead in a few moments, said the
Doctor. He gasped for half minute spas
, medically, not breathing, and was dead
He was lifted into the coffin, the bandagt
taken off his eyes, and his little blue cal
: nut on his head. There were eight shoI
z holes in his coat, seven Of them in hi
breast, any one Of which would almosthavt
!, killed him instantly. One Of them STRUCK
him riehtin the heart. But there was no
. a drop Of blood visible. The bullet holes
were clean as If cut with a pair OF scissors
Under his body upon the ground was 1
thick puddle Of blood, for the balls ha'
gone through him, and the blood ran GU
below. One shot struck him in the throa
5 and another grszed his shoulder. All tel
Of the balls struck him, an extraordinary
l proof Of the GOODNESS and stesdiness of thu
men. The sergeant with his carolne II
reserve stood by the coffin, to shoot him IL
? the head and end his misery, if it had beel
necessary, but much to his relief the worl
: had been surely done without him. TIL
coffin was put into Undertaken Weaver
wagon, the troops were dismissed, and tn
most impressive and dreadful scene eve
I witnessed in indianapolis, and the frs
military execution in the West, was ovel
Its lesson should be needed, for the first o
April and the day of grace is rapid
l wasting" -