Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-11-19
Six Confederate Soldiers Shot
in Retaliation.

| soldiers at St. Louis, by order OF tho
Federal General commanding, in rc'sila-
tcn for the killing Of Major White and
his six comrades, by guerllas, under cir
cumstances heretofore narrated. 1t is not
pretended that these men, or any of them,
had any part in the killing of White or
his comrades.
The names Of the men go led to excca-
ton we're James Gates, Third Missouri
Cavalry, G. s. A. Harvey II. Blackburn,
Company A, Coleman's Regiment, 9, s.
A. John Nichols, Company G, Second
Missouri Cavalry, G, s. a.; Charles W.
Minniken, Company A, Crabtree's Ark
ansas Cavalry, G. S. A; Asa " Ladd'
Company A, Burbridge's Missouri Hegi-
mcn, of Cavalry, G. S. A, and George
T. Bunch, Company b, Third Missouri
, Cavalry.
5 When the prisoners arrived on the
5 ground they were marched 10 the places
e fixed for the execution, these being Elk up
!. right pine posts set i'll the ground with
T square hard seats attached for each man
n to sit upon. They took their places upon
d their seats, each with comparative calm
ness, aud nearly all with appearance OF
10 resignation to the dreadful tate that stared
d ut them SO immediately But little emo
:. ton was displayed by any OF the six ex-
10 cept Nichols and Minniken-tho latter
commenced pray erfu CALCULATIONS in SUBJ
e. dued tone of voice, soon after being seat,
Ie ed, which he kept up until the baudage
O. was tied over his eyes alter that his only
remark was, Boys, wheB you shoot me ,
.h kill me dead" Nichols made no remarks,
~ but kept weeping from the time of taking
Il. his scat until the baDdage was placed
ce over his eyes Ladd and Bunch cxh'bi
ted some slight evidences Of detection, but
not word escaped them during the whole
scene. Blackburn sat still and solid upon
IS. his seat, and throughout was imperturbed
- as a statue. No muscle Of bis face quiv
n. ercd--there was no wilduess III his eye
no not a movement tn At denoted the lghtes
"a uneasinebs in his manner.
or Gates, who was oul y twenty one year
ID, Of age, and perfectly beardless, at frs
if manifested q most Singular Indifference -
,or He had the manner OF young man JUS
be- the least embarrassed upon the iDtroduc
the lion TO strangers. Yet, wilhal, there wa
ad- no fear iu the expression Of his features
ar but rather manifestation OF self conf
at 'dence, as one who had a great and dar
ath gerous duty to perform, aud who felt hin
ing self equal tv it. Toward the end he b.
lnd gan TO manifest emotion, and speaking
Ius. one of the attending physicians, who W.
10 standing near by, asked, Don't you thin
lent there is any hope that it will be pos
me poned ~ and on being answered in Il
'ow negative, he moaned occasionally, and
luz- intervals made use Of the following EXPIRE
do sions "Oh, Lord have mercy upon Inc
ice; "Oh, to think of the news that is to 60
be father and mother.' "Well, amt t
pom first and don't reckon I'll c the last
his Lord have mercy upon me y "To
nall tied to a stake and shot, tell you i
,cus awful"
four After he had Soer tied to the stakes
hem Chaplain McKim had prayed with hi
eyes he said addressing The guard), "Boys'
ath- hope if any OF sou are ever shot, J
,ved won't be shot as innocent as l am,'
hort Captain McKim having said pray
, his with each prisoner, and bid them good.b
nth, Col. Hcnrichs read the order of execut
once after which he informed the prisoners 4
re- if they desired to say anything they COZ
his have an opportunity. There was no
ried pouse except from Mnniken, who sal
Il would like to say few words"
.; then, with firm and distinct voice, O
-, rapid utterance, said -
O., "Soldiers, and all who hear me, II
l warning! | have been Confeder
r. :. soldier for four years, and as such h
,Loth served my country faithfully And
49,, taken out now and shot for what men h
a..' done that know nothing about, and
,nod. what had nothing to do with. ne
and was guerilla, but private in the c
gnif- ''0.' @I' ''"'' 'O'''S' NnN 'l -"
.a;n that never had anything TO do with,
,onu for what am not guilty Of If l.,
ront my couu.rymen, had taken you sold
o..oa prisoners, We would have treated you
end such. l hope God may take me to
bosom when AIN dead"
Each prisoners eyes were than ba
,h, the aged, When the sergeant approac
IN all Minniken to pu. the bandage ON his e