The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-01-01
The Rebel Prison. Loyalty and
Death.

This did not at first excite any attention, for
it was common thing to see bodies of horse
men in the streets; but soon we observed
them halt at our gate and surround the pris-
on. What could this means A moment
after, the clink of the officers swords was
heard as they ascended the stairway, and we
knew that something unusual was about to
take place. They paused at our door, threw
it open, called The names of our seven COM
panions. and took them cut to the room op-
posite, putting the Tennesseeans in with US.
One of our boys, named Robinson, was sick
OF fever, and had to be helped to his feet
and supported out of the room. With
throbbing hearts We asked one another the
meaning of these strange proceedings.-
Some supposed they were TO receive their
acqultal; others, still more sanguine, believ-
ed they were taken cut of the room to be
paroled, preparatory to an exchange. | was
sick, too, but rose to my feet. oppressed with
nameless fear. A half crazy kentuckian,
who was with the Tennesseeans, came to
me and wanted to play game Of cards.
struck the greasy pack out of his hands and
bade him leave.
A moment after the door opened and Geo.
ID. Wilson entered, his step firm aid his form
erect. Some one asked a solution TO the
dreadful mystery, in a whisper, for his face
sllenced every one. I'VE are TO be execut-
ed Immediately" was the awful reply, whis-
pered with thrilling distinctness. The others
came in all tied, ready for the scatfold. Then
came the farewells-farewells with 10 hope
OF meeting again in this world. II was d
moment that seemed an age of measureless
sorrow. Our comrades were brave; they
were soldiers, and had often looked death in
the face on the battle field. Tney were
ready, if need be. to die for thei: country !;
but to die on the scatfold-to die as murder
ers de-seemed almost TO hard for human
nature to bear. Then, too, the prospect Of
a future world,in which they were thus to be
hurled without a moments preparation, was
black and appalling. Most of them had
been careless, and had no hope beyond the
grave. Wilson was a professed infdel and
many time had argued the truth of the
hristian religion with NE for half day a:
a tine; but in this awful hour he said to me,
" Pittenger, believe you are right now =
O, try to be better prepared when you come
to die than | am Then, laying his hand
on my head, with a muttered God bless
you We parted.
Shadrack was profane and reckless, but
good natured and merry. Now, turning to
US with a voice. the forced calmness of which
WAS more affecting than a wall of agony. he
SAID, Boys am not prepared to meet Je-
sus.' When asked By some of US, in tears,
TO think of heaven, he answered, still in
tones of thrilling calmness, Ill try, III
try. But | know | am not prepared" Sla-
vens, who was'a man of immense strength
and iron resolution, turned to his friend Buff
fun, and could only articulate, Wife-chil-
dren-tell," when utterance failed. Scott
was married only three days before he came
to the army, and the thought of his young
and sorrowing wife nearly drove him to de-
spair He could only clasp his hands in ST.
lent agony. Ross was the firmest of ALL
; His eyes beamed with unnatural light, and
there was not tremsr in mis- voice as he
said, Tell them at home, if any of you es-
cape, that died for my country and did not
regret it.
All this transpired in moment, and even
then the marshal. and other officers standing
by him in the door, exclaimed. Hurry up.
there, come on! we can't wait" In this
manner my poor comrades were hurried of.
Robinson, who was too sick to walk. was
dragged away with them. They asked leave
to bid farewell to our other boys, who were
confined in the adjoining room, but it was
sternly refused. Thus We parted We saw
the death-cart, containing our comrades.
drive off surrounded by cavalry In about
an hour it came back empty. The tragedy
was complete.
Later in the evening the provost marshal
came to the prison, and in reply to ou. ques-
tons informed US that our friends " Ha 1 met
their fate as the brave should die every
where" The next day We obtained from
guards, who were always ready to talk with
us in the absence of the officers, fuil particu-
lars of the seven-fold murder. When our
companions were mounted on the scafold,
Wilson asked permission to say few words,
which was granted-probably in the hope of
hearing some confession which would Justify
them in the murder they were about to COM
, NIT. But this was not his intention. 1t was
strange stand-a dying speech to a despe-
rate audience, and under the most terrible
circumstances. But he was equal to the oc-
r casion. Cnterrifed by the near approach of
death. he spoke his mind freely. He told
r them that they we're all in the wrong; that
; he had no hard feelings toward the southern
people for what they were about to do, be-
Cause they had been duped by their leaders,
and induced by them to engage in the work
, Of rebellion. He also said, that though he
was condemned as spy, yet he was none,
and they well knew it. He was only a SOL
: dier in the performance of the duty he had