The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-05-31


he bent his eyes searchiDgly upon the
ColoueI, and said 10 firm voice:
"Your excellency, | am aware that
any vindication which | make, will be of
no avail, but being permitted, | will
speak the trnth, that my fellow soldiers
NAV know that I die innocent Of the
charge brought against me. | did not
fire upon Colonel LagiIlier, aud had no
weapon when arrested. At the moment
l entered the dwelling of Cadeline, |
found her struggling in his arms. l
stopped not to inquire his rank. but
struck him with my doubled fist to the
floor. This is all I have done, aud had
it been the Emperor himself in his place,
I would have done likewise. For the
duty Of true soldier is 10 protect the
innocent and defencelass. | am wiling
to debut N.Y. death shall not be una
7enged, for the grass Will not have Gov
cred ny grave before ny comrades shall
have found the heart Of my murderer,
for there is not one who viii shrink
when the hour comes. lam Teady-Pass
/ your sentence
"Martel, your language does not be
come z man who is Ua the threshold Of
eternity"
Truth becomes ) man at. all times, :"
replied Anthony,
+ Colonel Lanllier, during The time the
prisoner was speaking, seemed greatly
excited, aud turned pale; he knew that
Martel vas great fayorite in the Tegi,
uent, a0d he feared his own life was 10
danger
"Aotho0y Martel," said the Judge,
"the sentence of the court is, that you be
shot By twelve of your comrades"
( Again the roll Of the drum told that
the case had been decided, aud they were
abou, to conduct the prisoner to bis
quarters, when Young girl rushed past
the guard into the tent. aud prostrating
herself at the feet ftbe presiding officer,
exclaimed
1 "He is innocent! spare him. be did
not shoot Colonel LavilIier"
( As the tears flowed down her beauti.
full face every heart was touched with
pity save one. He stood unmoyed by
suPplicatious. The Judge Informed her
that it was impossible for him to alter
! the sentence of the court, that the only
hope that was left her was in Colouel
Lavi!lier, who was the injured party, and
who had power to ask for his pardon Oh
recommend him 20 mercy.
In vain Cadaline pleaded with him he
was inexorab,e, aud she was borne sense
less from his tent.
On the following morning q little before
suurise,some soldiers were busilv engaged
in placing red flags at short iutergaIs 90
q beautiful plain not far from the camp
No sooner bad this been accomplished
than the mufied drum and band PLAYING
the dead march was heard. A company
of soldiers drew uear, accompanied By a
large number of officers, who came to
witness the punishment Of death. An
thoDy Martel was walking with firm
step 10 meet hts doom Arriving at the
spot designated for bin TO die, he was
calm aud unmoved az the approaching cri.
els TveIve Of his fellow soldiers we're
brought into line. Every movement
showed their uDwiIlingness to perform the
odious duty which had been assigned to
them
All being arranged, the comandant
walked up to Msrtel, and taking him BIZ
the hand he shook /; warmly. Bidding
him farewell he gave him permission 20
address his companions IN arms.
This ozark of kindness moved the con.
demued man, and q tear started to his
eye, but luckily regaioing his conposure
he addressed those who were to lay him
low in death
Comrades, have come here to die
like man and a soldier; | am guilty OF
DO crime; I have never dishonored my
country or regiment; I have fought by
YOUR side in the thickest Of battle, when
the guns of the enemy poured hot lead
into cur ranks, and swept our brave
couotrymen like chsff before the uhirl.
wind. But YOU can all affirm that did
not quail or falter when the grim monster
stared me in the face Add should [
tremble DOW when l am to die By the
hands of my beloved comrades No, l
consider it q honor, and the last sound
that will ever greet my ears will be the
glorious dying music of your own true
guns when l fall. know you will not
suffer ny ashes to 20 unavcDged. Let
not your hand tremble, but with a frm
steady hand, level your pieces at my
breast, when I give the word FIRE for ]
would have the mark Of every man, if
you love me, Comrades, f3rewell and
NAV We meet where the warriorrests from
his battles aud his victorie-"
The soldiers, brought their pieces TO
their shoulders, but stopped suddenly as