The New York herald., 1865-02-25
EXECUTIONS OF CAPTAIN BrAII.
Selsnn an1 Inposing CeremsuleG- d
Governors Island.
LAST WORDS OF THE CONDEMNED.


HIS lPYEARlNCR AND ARTECEDEN1S.
&C., &C., &C.
The execution of Captain James Y. Bsan, he rsbsl
spy, took psace yesterday with imposing ceremonies at
0overnors IAnA In the presence Of several hundred
speseatorA Ths condemned was unusually Arm up 70
the last moment, and appeared 70 have an utter
tempt for the fearful punishment that was eed out
him. Ths prisoner was attended in his last moments By
she Rev. Dr. Weston Of ~ johns Episcopal church, q
whose hands he received the sacrament or the holy
aunton according 70 the rites Of that church. During
his confinement he devoted great part Of his time TO
his religious duties and seemed 70 indulge in the
hope Of obtaining pardon the hands or the govern
ment - Alsa7 iitnap
he visited by number Of HE friends within the
past week, and his mother too, with him day Or
two before he died She had on from Virginia for
the purpose Of bidding him last farewell and at
her solicitation tha tho spreve granted which pre-
vented the execution from taking place on Saturday ia
THE MORNING OF THE nxEcuuoN. "
The prisoner at his usual hour and after parak
Ing Of some slight refreshment spent his last hours in
prayer and writing. DR. Weston, who present with
him In the CELL says he behaved with uncommon forti
tude and resignation and partook Of the holy commu-
non with all the fervor Of . thorough Christian. m
The arrangements for the execution made by the
oommandan: OK tho post hajor Cogswel, Of the Twcn
tieth artillery assisted by Captain Ryer 9f the
day. and Provost Marshal Taman, who unrsmitting
In their efforts 70 maintain order and carry out the
tence Of the court martial with military exactuds The
prisoners CELL which situated on the east side Of
Fort Columbus, placed under double guard and
one was permitted to or converse with the con-
demned except his spiritual adviser. 81
AT about half past eleven o'clock the prisoner sgnined
his desire TO parake Of YEA and toast which
furnished him by orderly. Soon Afterwards the
cutioner and Marshal Murray arrived at the fort and
ferred with the commanding officer In relation TO the
manner in which the execution should take place. Spec
ators began TO arrive from the city in every tugboat that
touched at the wharf, long before the time
for the execution the spot upon which the gallows
erected thronged with crowd Of anxious citizens
ON THE WAY TO THE scAFFoLD.
At one O'Clock the exscutioner entered the dungeon
occupied by the prisoner and proceeded array him for
the forthcoming ceremony at the scafod. In few
ments the culprirs pnioned black Grape cap
was placed on his head, and he announced him
self in readiness TO proceed on the fatal journey.
Beall was attred in . light sack coat coarse pair
OF pantaloons, white shirt black silk neckte gsier
boots and dog skin gloves Amltary cloak handsomely
braided, was thrown his shoulders by consid
crate person he left the PRISON. that the pinonings
were not noticed nothing but his goved hands showing
bensA the tail Of the mantle The prisoner stepped
Of the doorway quite lightly and asked the ooer In
command where he should take up his position. He
accompanied by the Rev Dr. Weston and closely in the
rear followed the exscusioncr and MARSHAL Murray
line OF soldiers formed each side Of the prisoner
and at the word forward march, the coroe passed
NJ
ground towards the spot where the gaows erected
The procession halted about three hundred yards
from the scanold, and Ave minutes elapsed prob
ably, before II started again. What the cause
Of tho delay was We could not learn, but II
was a most disagrcabIc stoppage, and happening
did right in full view Of the instrument OF DEATH
must have been peculiarly painful 70 the condemned
There symptoms OF depicted In the
countenance Of the prisoner however; he continued to
bear his lot with unusual orude and when the order
10 the march given he was to all appearance
cheerful and happy any Of the soldiers who fol-
lowed in his
THE SCENE AT THE scAFYoLp.
Passing through hollow square Of regulars under the
command Of Major Cogswcll the procession halted be-
meath the scaold which situated the beach,
the south side Of the island in full view Of the bay and
Staten Island. The condemned looked out upon the
phcd waters OF the bay and calmly awaited the further
action OF the authorities Al this juncture Provost Mar
soner read for his benefit the order Of MAJOR General
Dix, approving the finding Of the court martial,
READING GENERAL DIx's ORDER.
GENERAL oRDR NO. IL, EXPLAIN GENERAL ORDER NO. IA.
7 HEADQUARTERS, DEPARrnEST EAST,
NKw YORK CrrY Feb 20 1906. I
l. Before Military Commission which convened at
Fort Lafayette, New York harbor by Of Special
Orders No a. series from these headquarters Of
January II. 1866 ana OF which Brigadcr General ftz
Henry Warren United States Volunteers Is President
was arragned aud tried John Y. Beall.
I'm hUr = ~ lrInrf
Specifications LIN this, that John Y. Bcsll citizen
Of the insurgent state Of Virginia did about
in the State Of Ohio without lawful authority and by
force Of arms, seize and capture the steamboat fho
Parsons. .r#
Specification 2.--In this that John Y BeaI citizen
Of the nsurgcn State OF Virginia, did about the
10th day Of september 1894 At or near Middle Bass
Island, in the State Of Ohio, without lawful authority
and by force Of arms seize capture and sink the steam
boat Island Queen.
SPECIFICATION 3-In this that John Y Beai q citizen
Of the insurgent State Of Virginia found acting
spy at Keeys Island in the State Of Ohio
about the 10Th day Of september 1894
Of the insurgen State OF Virginia, found setting
spy about the 10Th day Of september 1894 at or
near Middle Bass Island, In the State Of Ohio
Specification s-In this, that John Y. Bcail a citizen
Of the nsurgent State Of Virginia found acting
near Suspension Bridge in the State Of New York.
SPECIFICATION 6In this that John " Bcal, q citizen
Of the nsugcnt State Of Virginia. being without lawful
New York did In saId State of New York undertake 70
carry irregular and unlawful warfare ss guerrilla
and in the execution of said unevtskng attempted 70
destroy tho lives and property of the and
offending inhabitants OF said State and of persons sher
in travelling BY throwing train Of cars and the pas-
ecnge In said cars from the railroad track the rail-
road between Dunkirk and Buffalo, by placing obEtruc-
tons the said track All this In sad oe New
York. and on o. about the 18th day Of Deceber 1904
at or near Buffalo. sHl lW3nrT'G tal ri n
CHANGE n.--AcrIxe A. Nv. 13e E
SPecifcdiow lin this, that John r. BeaI q citizen
spy the stas 0f Ohio Keilcys Rslnnd on or
about she 1ssh day of september, 1894 = r1 A
,Sps J6cottw AIN ths that John Y. Bea citizen OF
the nsurgcnt state Of Virginia, found acting a
spy In the State Of Ohio about the 10th day Sep
tember 1894, at near Middle Bans Island.
SPECIFICATION ain this thsa John Y Beail Z citizen
Of ihe nsorgcnt atste Of Virginia. found acting a.
spy In the State Of New York, ~ near Suspension
bridge, o. about the 10th day of September 1854
pleaded mot guilty" gis tf
t,~dGeef the asst specification, arst charge guilty;
secf0cafnn charae arilax. ~