Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-17
A NARROW EsoAPE-REpRTEvE OF

A NARROW ESCAPE-REPRIEVE OF A
PERSON ON TIE POINT OF EXECU-
TON.
Thomas Martin was to have been shot at Gin
clnnatl on the 9th inst, on charge of being a
guerrilla. Just before arriving at the scene Of
execution reprieve arrived from the President.
The scene is thus described by the Cincinnati
Enquirer
At one o'clock precisely the prisoner was in
formed that he must prepare for the execution,
and, without wavering. rose from his bunk, and,
taking his hat, proceeded to the carriage, in
waiting at the door, TO take him to the fatal spot.
He bid good bye TO the officers of the barracks,
thanking them for the many kindnesses they
had extended 10 him, and added, "BOys, I will
die like brave man."
AS he crossed the sidewalk towards the car.
rage, in company with Father Garesche, he
glanced his eye TO the hearss, in the rear of the
carriage, in which was 8 codin, OF plain manu-
fLcture. Martin smiled and nodded to the I'M.
der,ater. Thirty.one convaescent soldiers I'M.
der command OF Lii ut Millspaugh, acted 81 a
guard TO { re prisoner, and walked on each side
and in the front and rear of the carriage. The
procession then started, and consisted of the
carriage with the prisoner, the he rise ,ntainng
the coffin, and tSo ambulance wagons, filled
with soldiers. On the way through the city
young Martin bore himself with great frmness,
but as they neaTei the fatal spot his natore mel.
lowed at the sp ctacle, and he wept for few
moments. some stimulants were given him, and
he again rallied.
During the morning of yesterday, the au.
nouncement that citizen of kentucky was 10 be
shol unto death in this city, for the first time
became known to few of our leading citze as,
and the frat despatch was sent to Secretary Stan.
ton at l".20 O'clock, asking for a suspension of
the sentence. Mr.. Logan, the prisoners coun-
sell Sc & similar despatch, and Colonel II Art Of
General Hooker's staff, also 70 ward q telegram
TO General Hooker, how en- route from Spring
field to Cincinnati. General Hooker replied that
the matter was beyond his control aud entirely
out OF his hands and that the President was the
only authority 10 lie addressed in the premises
Secretary Stanton replied that he should not in.
terfeie an that unless the President suspended
the execution, there was no remedy, and Thos
Mart would have to be executed.
Teegrams were then sent to p esident Johnson
by Col. Hart and leading citizens. 1t was II
meridian, and within the two hours to come the
unfortunate man was destined TO pay the penal.
". Aniicipatn g reply from Washin yton, a
swift horse was in waiting in front of General
Hookers headquarters, and messenger ready to
carry the despatch. One o'clock and no answer.
The troops had moved, and the prisoner had
started. Half-past one &C ock and still no re-
ply Oh the suspense, the anxiety, and the
mental excitement of the many sympsthizes in
the Young mans fate The prisoner was half
way 10 the place of execution, and in twenty-five
minutes more the volley Of musketry would have
been fired, and the soul of Thomas Martin would
have been ushered into eternity. Still the'e was
hope and as the nervous operator sat at his in
strument, ready TO receive the flash of electricity
from Washington few citizens were by his side
in waiting with almost breath ess suspense. At
twenty-five min tes 10 two o'clock the quick
- - IL. 4
Here is the reprieve." The despatch was then
received, which read as follows