Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-07-07
PAYNE,s. pREpARATIoNs.

l.
did In the courtroom. From his conv ersation
1t appears that he was raised religiously. and
belonged to the Baptist Church until after the
breaking out of the rebellion. He appeared to
De sincerely repentaT1t, and in his cell shed
tears freely. He gave his advisers several
commissions of a private character, and stated
that he was willing to meet his God, asking all
men to forgive, and forgiying all who had done
aaght against him. Col. Doster, his counsel,
also took leave of him during the morning, as
well as with AtZerodt
MRS. SURRATT.
Mrs. Surratt's daughter was with her at an
early hour this morning, and after she had
given directions as to her private affairs she
took leave of her; but once more, before the
time OF execution, she had another and very
Affecting farewell interview. which melted the
hearts of the stern soldiers, used to scenes of
anguish. One of her male friends alse had an
interview with her and received directions
from her concerning the disposition of her
property. During the night and morning she
received the ministrations of Revs. r. A. Walter
and b. F. Wigett, and conversed freely to
them, expressing, while protesting her inno-
conce, her Willingness to meet her God Her
counsel Messrs. Aiken and Clampitt, took
leave of her during the morning
THE CELLS AND THE PRISONERS.
Atquarter past 10 the sister of Atzerodt clad
in deep mourning and weeping bitterly, had
an interview. Atzerodt showed considerable
emotion but said little, and swayed his BODY
forward and backward.
At half-past ~ loud sobs from Mrs. Surratt's
cell told of the parting. scene between Mrs
Surratt and child, and presently Miss Surratt
was supported from her mothers cell in hys-
for some moments until she had passed through
the iron gate and prison.
Several Of the clergymen not immediately
occupied with the prisoners now emerged from
the cells and paused in the passage, indicating
that the fatal moment was approaching
Mr.. Doster, counsel for Atzerodt at this time
had an interview with him to ascertain if he
had any parting wishes to- be executed At Is
minutes to one the chairs We're removed from
the prisoners cells. to apOw them to pass un-
obstructedly. About the same time the north
erly door of the two opening from the cell
ranges upon the yard was opened.
A few minutes before Que o'clock the guard
was drawn up in square around the galloyys.
Still the prisoners did not come forth, and
various rumors of reprieve for some of the
prisoners crept around.
1t was reported that strenuous efforts We're
being maze In penall OF MIS- Surratt; that
PAYNE had made q confession generating her,
from all share in the plot; that the writ of ha-
beas corpus asked for by the counsel for Mrs.
Surratt had been granted; that Gen Hancock
had refused to execute it, and had been or
rested, and that the President had ordered his
release.
The rumors were put to flight by new move
ments IN the vicinity of the gallows Then fol-
lowed another pause of suspense,
At IS minutes past one, the procession
emerged through the prison door in the follow
ing order, proceeded by a few moments by
Gen. Hancock, who ordered the troops to q
dress parade.
At fifteen minutes past one, Major General
Hartranff commanding the prison, appeared,
followed by his assistants, Colonel L. A. Dodd.
Lieut. Colonies Mccall and Fredericks,
emerged from the prison door. followed by tn 2
mournful procession.
Mrs Surratt came first supported by an
|. officer and q non commissioned officer, and
attended by Rev. Fathers Walter and WiKett
Atzerodt came next, attended by an officer,
with whom walked his spiritual advisers,
Rev. j. G. Butler, of the Lutheran Church,
and Chaplain Winchester. Herold came next,
attended by Rev. DR.. Olds, of Christ Church,
(Episcopal;) while Payne, who was attended
of this city, and Rev. DIR. Striker, of Baltimore
brought up the rear.
Mrs. Surratt required to be almost lifted
| along BY those who supported her, especially
when they came to the steps leading up to the
| gallows. In addition to her Frustrated physi
| cal condition, the chains upon her feet served
| to impede her progress. On arriving upon tho
| platform she was placed at the extreme north
| ern end of the platform, and seated upon 6
| chair, where she was surrounded by her splr
| itual advisers. She sunk In collapsed condi
ton in her seat, leaning feebly upon her RICH
| arm, and with upturned and sorrowful eyes
| soldier behind held an umbrella over her t,
shield her from the fierce sun. She wa
| dressed as ON trial, in deep black and will
| black bonnet.
Payne was placed next her and over tn,
| same drop with her. His eyes seemed some
| what Redeemed, and his face was suffused with
| unusual color, but otherwise his bearing was
! much the same as during his trial He wa
| clad in pantaloons and wOOllen shirt of sailo
blue. He also wore a jaunty straw hat, will
| ribbon, &c, of sailor style, and altogether
| looked much like a clean faced, we'll developed
| Jack tar.
| Next on the platform, but over the other drop
| was Herold, who looked the most miserabI,
| physically of the lot, his face and clothes an
| pearing dirty, with rusty black clothes and IL,
| wearing an old SLOUGH bat with the brim turned
| down all around. He was in his stockings
| Atzerodt was seated at the extreme southern
end of the platform, over the same drop with
| Herold. Atzerodt was the only one of the part,
bareheaded. A white handkerc hief was placed
! over his head to protect him from the sun, ant
| Rev. DIR. Butler held an umbrella over him t.
the same end. He was dres 'ed in the same sui
| of pepper and salt coarse material worn by
him in the trial room. He, too, as we'll as Her
old and Payne, was in his stockings. He sa
| in the same crouched position familiar to al
| who saw him on his trial, and at first wa
| rather undemonstratiye. The lips of Heroic
| were seen in motion repeating the prayers
| whispered to him by Rev DIR. Odds.
! Payne sat with face upturned, with sort o
| defiant air, as if for effect. He once put hi
lips to the ear of DIR. Gillette, and whispered