The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-18
THE EXECUTION Of FIYs REBELS.
Interesting Helalls.


sentenced by Military Commission al
Tullahoma, last March, Col E. A. Can
non Of the 18th New jersey acting as
President IS the Commission They
were charged aud found guilty Is fol
lows
WILLIS ?. LExgoSD citizen, charged
frst, with murder; second, assault with
intent to Kill; third robbery
CrRus Les cA7HrT, citizen, charges
the same as the foregoing.
JESSE B. EERnoy, citizen, same
charges.
THOMAS r. wasT, citizen, same
charges, and also with bushwhacking.
BENJAMIN F. WEsT, citizen, murder
and robbery.
After fair hearing, the prisoners
were convicted and sentenced 10 death
The findings and sentence were ap-
proved by the General comma nding,
and by the President, who directed
that the prisoners be executed on the
18th Of June, 1864
Lemmond was a native Of Lincoln
county, Tenn, and has mother, one
sister, and two brothers living there
He was tall, handsome built man,
with powerful frame light blue eyes,
and rather a pleasant oOuntenance.
He was a at one time a member of the
l7th Mississippi rebel regiment, and
was captured year ago.
Cothey was a native Of North Carroll
ma, but was raised in this State Ills
mother, and the remainder Of the fauli
" reside in Liacoln county. lie leaves
widow and one child Before the
war be bore an unblemished reputation.
lie had served in the rebel army, as
private in the 4ith Tennessee. and
was wounded at Chickamauga lie
was a fine looking man.
Eorron was native Of Marshal
county, Ala His father and sister re-
side in Lincoln county. lie was for
merly member OF the 32d (rebeD
Tenn Regt lie was captured last
summer. He was by no means a wick
cd looking man; on the contrary had
rather an smiable face.
Thos r. West was a native OF Lin
coin county, and only eighteen years Of
age. lie Wss = slender built boy, with
blue eyes and light hair and formerly
a member Of the 32d trebel) Tennessee /
Regiment His mother, brother, and
two sisters live in Lincoln county.
Benjamin f. West, was n cousin Of
Thomas r., and also a native Of Lin
coin county. He has mother, two
brothers and two sisters residing in
Marshall county, Tenn llewas a mem
Der Of Forests cavalry, at the time he
participated in the inhuman deed
which cost him his life lie was man
Of progressing appearance had fine
dark eyes, and round symmetrical
form, model of manly physical deyel-
opement
For upwards Of a fortnight previous
to their execution the prisoners exhib- !
tied much concern touching the prepaI-
ations FOR their future state. They
were attended in their religious exer-
oises by the Rev. J. w. Mason, Of Leba-
non, Ohio, and Rev. }. }. Thompson, Of
Hamilton, Ohio. Catlley and Nerron,
in particular, were sincere and deyout;
whilst Lenniond and Benjamin West
were baptised several days ago Cathey's
wife and child remained with him the
night before the execution.
Preparations were made for the exc
cution previous to o'clock, A. n, yes
terday. Major Sherman and Captain
Trent were the officers detailed by Col
Horner to carry into effect the sentence 1
Of the Commission. In front Of The
penitentiary were drawn up seyenl
companies Of the 3lst Wisconsin, while
squads Of the same regiment surround
ed the institution 10 repress any undue
excitement The soafTold was erected
in little yard to the left Of the main
entrance, and was surrounded by about
a hundred men Of the 3lst Wisconsin
in command Of Col West
The arrangements for the execution
were excellent throughout, thanks to
the wisdom and humane promptings Of
our efficient Provost Marshal, and but
small number Of spectators were
present But very few were there, who
went simply to CRAFTY prurient Gu
riosiiy.
4 few minutes after log O'clock, the
culprits assembled the terrible platform,
accompanied by their spiritual advi-
sers, a squad of soldiers, and the off,
GERS who had charge Of the execution, 7
They all walked up to The scaiTold vita
frmness and stood side BY side, ext
IDENTIFY with slight emotion, and ilnme-
distely gave themselves up 10 religious
exercises
After the usual ceremonies, on such
occasions, the process OF binding their
bodies and limbs commenced, in a
short time al was arranged, and tho
fatal ropes were adjusted around their
neGSA The moment Cathey felt the
rope about his neck, he betrayed un.
eaEiness, soon became unconscious, and
sunk down As Gar - the rope permit
ted This painful episode, coupled with
increasing stoieism on the part Of bis
oOmpanions--exeepting perhaps, Ner-
ron, who, though firm, gave every exhi-
bition Of penitence-produced-a sensa-
ton not soon 70 be forgotten
Each Of the men male a few remarks,
the tenor Of which was an asserpation
Of their innocence Cathey and EeF-
ron earnestly declared they were not