Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-07-13

in the ward were commanded by Colonel Ubas.
Bird, ist Regiment, Hancocks corps. and the
scafFold was in charge Of Captain Charles hath,
18th Michigan, of General Hartranffs stall.
The parties who performed the duty OF drop .
ping the platform from which the assassins
swung were William Coxwell. Daniel Shea,
P. Z. Golf Taylor, and Jos. Haalett, privates
of Company +, of tho 18th Regiment OF the
First Corps of Veterans, who volunteered on
the call of the captain for four able bodied
men, without suggesting the duty he would
require of them.
Atten minutes past one General liartrantt
appeared at the prison door opening into the
yard, and was followed by the senior members
of his staff. and then by the prisoners IN the
following order: Mrs. Surratt, Atzcrodt,
lIcrold and Payne, each supported on the |
left bv an officer and on the right by prl-
vate soldier, and followed by their respect
i've clcrrymen The number of persons
within the yard at the time, exclusive of
the soldiers doing guard duty, was perhaps
three hundred The members of the press
we're admitted within the inner line of sentrics,
and all other persons being kept between the
inner and outer lines.
Mrs. Surratt required to be almost lifted
along by those who supported her, especially
when they zane to the steps leading up to the
ralows. In addition to her PROSTATE physi-
cal condition, the chains upon her feet served
to impede her progress. On arriving upon
the platform of the galows, she was seated III
the chair at the extreme northern end She
wore plain black alpaca dress, with black
bonnet and veil.
Next her, to the south end, over tile same
drop, was seated Payne, wearing dark blue
pants and shirt, both cut in sailor style Ills
eve showed slight rcdncsss, but otherwise his
manner was as collected and firm as usual.
Next on tho platform, but over the other
drop, was seated llcrold, filthy and detected of
appearance, wearing dirty plaid pants, an old
brown coat, and black slouchel hat turned
down around his face,
At the extreme southern end and on the
drop with IIero!d, sat also Atzerodt,- an inn
age of hopeless misery,--so AFFECT that his
appearance might have brought pity to a
heart OF stohe.
The findings of the military commission,
the approval of the sentence by the President,
and the order of execution to General Han
cock were then read from the platform Of the
vallows by General llartrauf..
Prayers we're then made for each of the
criminals BIZ their respective clergymcn, who
knclt by their side. and Payne, llerold ano
, Atzerolt, through their spiritual advisets
then Thanked General Hartran!t end all con
nccted with tic prisUi fot their uniform cour
tesy, and asked the prayers aud forgiveness
:, of all persons.
II No word was said On behalf 6f Mrs Sur
- RAFT.
u The prayers and remarks were brief and i
, excellent taste. Payne was visibly affocte
II during tho prayer of his friends, and for fc
= moments his eyes were sufuscd with teal
- which did credit to his manhood. Good word
u of charity towards him were heard from man
:, who stood near.
T. The prisoners were then raised to a stant
J. ing position and brought forward upon IL
drops. Atscrodt was the first up. His ariI
a were bound behind him with strip of whit
y cotton cloth. lie vas similarly bouhd at Il
re knees and ut tho ankles Herold, Payne an
u Mrs. Surratt were bound in the same manne
~ the operation with the latter requiring mo
~ time than with the Others from the difficult
- of dealing With her dress. Her bonnet w
le removed only at the instant the fatal moo
NC was put around her neck and the white C,
= drawn over her head
~ None Of the criminals shook but .itzcrod
~ He appeared 10 desire to speak, but was ey
de,tly too much Frustrated to do 50. 1
p' calculated in husky and nervous vote
u "Gentleman take war; meaning, probao
- take warning; and as the cap was draw
- over his face he exclaimed, f'Uood-byc, &c
10 tlc,pcn. who is before me now May we
VI. meet in the other world. God help Iha now
~ Ilerold appeared repeating something
40 himself and at the last moment gave sol
w. brief direction about the adjustment Of t
". knot.
y Payne stood at his full height. and just
~ fore losing sight of the world, simply said
II, the officer who had pihioncd him and fixed t
w moose, =" thank you; good bye"
u Mrs Suraatt said word or two to Fatl
ny Wiggett while she was being pinioned, a
~ afterwards in low but audible voice, repea
i'' phrases Of Latin prayers
w. At twenty-five minutes past one the sisi
ell was given by General Hartrautt. tlirou
Captain Rath; Che upright posts support
as' the drop were knocked suddenly away at
'Sre bottom, the drop fell, the blood of Abrah
Vi Lincoln was avenged, and justice sat ST.
~ ~ upon her throne.
are Mrs. Surratt and Atzerodt were instan
Ia, killed Payne struggled eighty for ab
'uu eight minutes, and Hcrold for about Ere
-, Tire bodies hung about twenty minutes, {
sed were then examined by the medic.l otfc
Gus present and pronounced dead. though Il
icy were allowed to hang ten minutes longer
'c' fore they were cut down.
M ~ 4 swift and sharp shudder was thro
oo, through the hearts Of all present by an oI
t ,ee' olicious corporal, who ascending to the p
W form to cut the cords, severed that support
'f' Atzcrodt's body BEFORE the soldiers below W
-n ready to receive it, and it came down hea'
; ;an upon the ground.
i''S The bodies we're then taken out, laid
in the rough boxes, and carried away for b
! iai. The families of Herold, Atzerodt
2 = Mrs. Surratt applied for their bodies, but
to u late hour this evening they had not
ceived favorable answers to their requests.
. The last words spoken by Mrs. Surratt,
3 fore she lief. the prison. were to her brotf
- Mr.. Jenkins. Good bye, take care
g. Anna" What the poor girl. whom sor
~ ard patti have strangely touched in these /
49,, weeks since that eventful night of her moth
o ouaI arrest. will do. no one yet knows. If Il
..a' is anywhere among all the desolatc soul