The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-08

NEW YORK, SATUR
orniug hs public 10 indebted for the details attendant
upon the manner In which the prisoners severaly
asctsd by the knowledge Of their impending DOOM and
how they awaited its anerrng approach With all
was wTstched nignt from which refreshing sleep was
debsrred and the fearful bodng Of the ghtful events
Of the morrow refused 10 Be gone. The friends
relatives and spiritual advisers Of the prisoners
were with them until nearly eleven o'clock last night
and minstered TO the comforting Of their mental DISTRESS
by all the means in their power Miss Anna surratt
remained with her mother nearly the entire uight.
| Payne the only one Of the miserable party
who said rested at all soundiy unbrokenly
and this unexcitable and stalwart man was not
vouchsafed rest and unconsciousness until nearly
dawn Unlike the rest, he consumed hearty
breakfast, and In way gave evidence OF the
failure Of that matohless and resignation which
he has exhibited from the hour Of his arrest Though
regarding his ultimate execution rs q foregone conclu
sion in communicating with his friends and pastor he
displayed genuine contrton and believed he justly
expating his monstrous offence
Mrs. sarrat early in the evening became completely
unnerved and somewhat Mighty in thought and express
sion She seemed not only overwhelmed with men
tai anguish, but utterly prostratcd physically
with the approach OF the terrible ordeal which
meed to her. The Intellectual and will that
sustained this dark and sinister throughout the
session OF the court OF inquson completely forsook
her when hope vanished and the gbbet from which she
swing already reared nfty PAGES from
the portals Of her cells.
Harold like Payne succeeded gaining several hours
Of sleep towards morning, and apparently much COM
forted throughout the night by presence Of bis
ccfvS vbn rsoP
the pardon that awaits repentant and contrite hearts
The Scriptures also read 70 him at frequent inter
vala
Atzerott, completely beside himself with dismay and
fear suffered ndescrbabe agony throughout the weary
watches OF the night and could take nourishmcnt
whatever this morning Weak and shrinking with hor
at the thought Of the doom that awaited him, he
evnccd the spirit Of the craven that him and
led TO the wretched completely that has brought him
to tho gallowa Like hts associate in crime, he WAS
comfored with tho presence Of minister Of the Gospel
and endeavored well his fears would permit 70 draw
therefrom the comfort they manifestiy derived from
such minstraton
WHERE THE PRISONERS WERE CONFINED.
The cells Of the prisoners executed located upon
the FIRST floor the south side Of the wing OF tho
arsenal open into corridor about twelve feet wide
which completely encompasses the coils every side
The disposition Of the four prisoners executed to-day
has been In the cells upon this hall, with
one empty cell intervening between each prisoner
and his fellow. Payne has occupied the nrst cell and
next in the order stated, Mrs. surratt, Harold and
Azcrott fronting upon the end Of the corridor
THB POSITIONS OF THE PRISONERS TWO HOURS
BEFORE THE EXECUTION.
From ofnccr who passed the doors Of each Of the
cells wherein the prisoners confined about half
past eleven o'clock, learned few details in
So.,
that time. Payne al the time designated was sit
ting upon bis mattress, which was spread upon the
floor cell, with his feet drawn under him, and his
heavily manscled hands resting his knees with
his head depressed and hts whole attitude expressing de-
jection but nothing like fear, TO which he
stranger He entirely alone and said have
given his nna confession to bis spiritual adviser He
dressed in sailors pants and Shirt the latter open
very low In the throatthe dress in which he
repeatedly appeared trial krs. surratt lying
At full length upon her mattress, clothed 10
some wbite undress garment, looking very pale and
debiIitsted. She attended by two pricsts, who
about to administer the sacrament 10 their hopeless
daughter Two ladies' also In the cell sndeavorng
to calm the almost continual shuddering Of her shrunk
en- ngure and summon fortitude for her to bear the
wretched fate that at hand. Harold lay upon cot
looking very pale and vid with eyes rolling renzedy
and conversing In low tone with his sisters who
grouped around him In sitting postures A'zerott
aene, with the exception OF his minister, and,
like the rest, was reclining upon his mattress, and
though evidently seeking comfort in the spiritual
advice o. his companion and nearly beside himself with
fear at the Of hts sudden DEATH had his feet
elevated two three feet above his head upon the
side OF the WALL ct angle occasionally assumed by
luxurious smokers and thus in this sngusrly rrevernt
attitude was he receiving and apparently consoled with
the minstratons Of his companion.
THE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF THE PRISONERS.
About quarter Of twelve the friends and relatives Of
the prisoners began to arrive, and admitted
to the cell Of the condemned At this time
came Miss Anna surraft, accompanied by a gen.
tlcman, and Immediately shown 20 the cell
of her mother As she entered and followed her con-
ductor through the hall into the corridor beyond her
bearing quite nrin and her and step almost
conndant In the expression, which gave rise 70
opinion quite generally concured in, that the interview
she had with General Hancock this morning. between
eight and nine O'Clock and subsequently attempted to
bring about with the President had finally crowned
with and her petitions for clemency and q
spite for her mother granted Next to Miss surratt
came the sister Of Harold, followed BY . sister Of
Atzerott all Of whom gained immediate the
prisoners. Scarcely half an hour had elapsed before
they oil issued nearly swoonng with anguish from the
door, and conducted 10 apartments upon the
second noor where rcs,oratives were administered An
Of these hesrtbroksn attirsd deep black,
with heavy wells OF serge screening their faces from the
mnlttude but their sobs and toerng steps excited the
sympahes Of a, and many eyes were bedinmed "a the
mournfa cortege passed beyond sight or hearing.
TIE PROCESSION TO THE eALL0ws.
Al exactly O'Clock the heavy door opening from
the northwestern hall OF the prison building into the
court yard opened and Mary T. surratt, leaning upon
two gentlemen issued orth followed by Fathers WIgst
and Walter. the latter of whom carried small
with egy Of the Saviour thereon and also book Of
prayer She looked very pale; her limbs seemed
10 fall her, and II required small
ertion on tho part Of the gentlemen alluded to to
lead her far the scaold steps, Step by step she
assembled, her hands manacled behind her. every eye
united her shrunkcn cheeks Her face betrayed