The Shasta courier., 1864-12-10
SHASTA COURIER.
Horrors of War--six Rebels Executed Sin
Retaliation"

the murder of Major James Wilson and his
six comrades, evidence of their summary ex-
ecution having come to the knowledge OF the
Provost Marshal General in such shape as to
leave no doubt of the fact of their having been
shot by the rebels and left in the woods Inc
names of the men SO led to execution were
james w. Gates. Sd Missouri Cavalry, =. ?.
A.; Harvey III. Blackburn, Company a,
Colemans Regiment Arkansas Cavalry, Y.
S. A.. John Nichols. Company G. "a MIS-
souri, Cavalry, C. S. A Chas. W. MlnniEen'
Company 4, Crabtree's Arkansas cavalry' airy
G. S. A.; Asa v. Ladd. Company A, 6ur-
bridges Missouri Regiment of Cavalry, Y. :.
A.: and George Z. Bunch, Company b, Sd
Missouri Cavalry. i
About half past l o'clock the procession
started from Gratiot street prison, ana under
escort of a detachment of the 10th Kansas,
arrived on the ground of execution about half
mast 2. There were, including the soldiers
and citizens 1.-THE former largely rrepondera-
ting about 5000 persons on the ground.
with the guard and escort. The firing party
consisted of 81 men-44 of the 10th Kansas,
and 10 of the 4lst Missouri-30 being detail
ed to fire, Is being in reserve. When the
prisoners arrived on the ground they were
marched promptly to the places fixed for the
execution, these being six upright posts set
in the ground. with square board seats at
tached for each man to sit upon. They took
their places on their seats, each with compar-
ative calmness, and nearly all with appear
ances OF resignation to the dreadful fate that
stared at them so Immediately. But little
emotion was displayed by any of the six ex-
oept Nichols and Minniken-the latter CON-
menced prayerfal CALCULATIONS in a subdued
tone of voice soon after being seated, which
he kept up until the bandage was tied over
his eyes. after that his only remark was,
= Boys, when you shoot ne, kill me dead F."
Nichols made no remarks, but kept weep-
ing from the time Of taking his seat until the
bandage was placed over his eyes. Ladd and
Burch exhibited some slight evidences of de-.
lection but not a word escaped them during
the whole scene. Blackburn sat still and
stolid upon his seat, and throughout was i'm
pertuhed as a statue. No muscle of his face
quivered. there was no widness in his eve
not a movement that denoted the slightest un-
casness in his manner.
Gates who was only 81 years of age, and
perfectly beardless, at first manifested most
singular intolerance. He had the manner
of voung man Just the least embarrassed
upon the introduction to company of stran-
gers. Yet, withal, there Was no fear in the
expression of his features, but rather mani
festation Of self-confidence, as of one who had
a great and dangerous duty to perform, but
who fethimself equal to it. Toward the end
however, he began to manifest emotion, and,
speaking to one of the attending physicians
who was standing near by. asked, Don't
you think there is any hope that it will be
postponed?" and on being answered in the
negative, he moaned occasionally, and at in
tervals made use of the following expressions
"Oh, Lord, have mercy upon me" ''Oh,
to think of the news that is to 20 to father
and mother - g Well, | amt the first, and
don't reckon III be the last = . Lord, have
mercy upon me; - - To be tied to stake
and shot tell you it's awful !" After he
had been tied to the stake and chaplain Nc
Kim had prayed with him. he said, address
ing the guard.i g Boys hope if any of YOU
are ever shot, You won't be shot innocent
as ! am.
Chaplain Mchim having said prayers with
each prisoner. and bid them good bye, Col
IIcinFichS rea the order of execution, after
which he informed the prisoners that if they
desired to say anything they could have AN
opportunity. There was no response except
from Minnixen, who said: :" would like
to say few words.' lie then, with firm
and distinct voice, and rapid utterance, said /:
ing. have been Confederate soldier for
four wears, and as such have served my coun-
try faithfully. And an taken out now and
shot for what men have done that | know
nothing about, and for what had nothing to
do with. / never was a guerrilla, and | am
very sorry that | have to be shot for the acts
of men that | never had anything to do with,
and for what l am not guilty of. If had
taken any of you soldiers prisoners, would
have treated YOU as such; | never would
have had YOU shot. never would hurt any
body. / hope God may take me to his bo-
som after | am dead. Oh Lord, be with me-"
Each prisoners eyes were then bandaged
When the Sergeant approached Minniken to
put the bandage on his eyes, the prisoner
said: g Sergeant, don't blame you hope
I'll meet you in better world hope I'll
meet you all in heaven. Oh Lord. have mcr-
CIV on my poor soul!" Burch and Blackburn
still remained silent and almost motionless
,Minniken said: Lord have mercy on my
poor sinful soulv' Gates said: John Nich-
OILS, we are going to die. Farewell II Mn
niken replied " Farewell. we will meet in a
better world. Gates responded: Farwell
to all the boys p
Nothing further was said, and tie CON-
mand to make ready was given. There was
momentary suspense, and then further
command. One. two, fire." and the entire
volley was discharged almost as one gun In
stantly the blood spurted from the breast Of
each prisoner, and. quivering fer moment,
their heads fell upon their shoulders. and
then their bodies lurched to one side, and fell
as near the ground as they could with their
arms piuioued to the stakes. In this position
the blood streamed from their wounds which
were nearly all in the breast. and in one or
two places formed little pools upon the ground
The attending physician examined the bodies
as soon as the firing ceased, and found no
signs of life in any except Blackburn. In
FIVE minutes from the time the yolley was dis
charged they were all dead. Gates, after
he was shct uttered the exclamation Oh. y
and Blackburn cried out : Kill me quick, !"
but in an instant later they were evidently
susensibie.
After this the bodies wee placed IN good
plain collins and taken in charge by the Gov
erument undertaken, Smithers. Then the
crowd dispersed, and the soldiers returned
to their quarters.
Bonn Reconnaissance IN MoBiLE Bay
A correspondent of the New Orleans Era,
writing from Mobile Bay, says daring
reconnaissance 10 within three miles Of the
wharves of Mobile was made on the 10Th of