The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-11-21
Execution of wirz.

Corresponds ace Boston Journal. Is
AT halt past nine tbs preparations for the
execution were made. Wirz Was auired
in a long robe or shloud Of black cambria,
and An attempt was made TO handcuh his
lists, but hi. right arm Was SO swollen
that the ir0u could not be fastened with
out giving han pam. II don't want 10 be
cross, said hc, but don't hurt me. The
shackles were removed. When summon
I'd 10 leave tie cell Wirz remarked TO
Father Boyle, Il hope this black dress
will soon be lurael INTO white robe.
1 go Willingly"
Meanwhile some two hundred spectators
had congregatrd in heprison yard, includ'
| ing about thirty representatives OF the
press. A majority OF the others were
young Office. S many Of whom had exper-
fenced the cruellies and insults Of rebel
| prisons.
Ia the distance the dome of he Capitol
lowered az through The leaves and branch
es OF trees, and on every vantage ground
nearer by were spectators, many OF them
soldiers, few of them women. Al aquar-
ter past ten the hum OF conversation sub
sided uto profound silence, as MaIo Rus
sell came from the prison, 'olowed by the
criminal, who was escorted by his splrlIn
al advisers. He was much taller man
than bad expected TO see, and lac walked
with firm step, gln,cns up Al the clear
sky as if refreshed by The sunlight and air.
His hong. Llark hair was brushed smoothly
down LIS head, showing u high forehead.
/ His beard and moustaclie were iull, nj
most cone, aling the expressing OF his face,
and his cunning eyes twinkled viii de-
liant tx rrsson OF apparent indlh renee.
On reaching The sallowS he assembled
lhc steps with alaclity and seated himself
/ in a chair placed upon The drop. Father
/ Boyle, from whom lie had received the
sacramen, STOOD at his right hand, holding
/ a small crucifx, and at his left hand stood
Father W gget
Major Russell then read ii clear voice,
the long charges and spec ilicalions, il,
which the name Of Jrii. Davis was includ.
ed. Wirz Listen d to lie tedious docu-
ment wiih attention nodjihs assent to
some portions and .liakirg his head mega
lively ahcn other sections v re being read.
Father Boy le would occasionally present.
the crucilx to him as It % strengthen him
for the cemiug stru!slc by hope Of divine
! forgiveness
! Occasionally the impatient crowd with.
out would give hideous yells, al which tie
criminal would beiray some uncasiness.-
Then Father Boyle would display the
symbol Of redemption, saying, Faith ,hope,'
charity, repentance will save you"
A last the reading Of The charges, spec.
ifcalions, the finding of the Court and the
Presidents approval Of the sentence had
been completed, and Major Russell turning
toward the criminal asked him it, he had
any remarks to make. He replied in an
unconcprnel tone That he had 40 wish to
say anything TO the public. To the Ma.
1 jor he would say that he died innocent
He bad but once 10 die his hope was ia
the future.
Major Russ ~ then shook hands with
him, receiving lis thanks for courteous
treatment, The priest babe him farewell.
wiki words Of consolation, and retired. He
stood erect upon the drop. The hangman
pinioued bis arms and feet, adjusted the "a
lsl moose and pul on The black gap. Then
commenced unearlhly yells from those
outside OF the prison yard, as if execrating
4 the perpelralor OF arocious cIuehics.-
Major Russell raised bis cap-lhe drop
fell Henry Wirz, with a sudden plunge,
was hanged by the neck uulil be was
dead, dead. dead and may God have
mercy upon his soul