The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-29
The Execution OF Champ Ferguson, tho
Guerilla.

Champ Fercuson's famiy-wifo and daughicr-were
morning iii few minutes be ore he was led out
execution Mrs. Ferguson Is spare, delicate woman
and appeared deeply affected all the time His daughter
wns calm until Just before the final parting. but OIL
IDENTIFY deeply felt the horrors OF her situation She
too is delicate in appearance and Is but seventeen years
Of age.
II was half.past ten Of yesterday when the parting
came and seldom have witnessed scene mors heart
rcndng Mrs. T. chung To her husband and wcrt aloud =
sliy God my God.' said she have | not already sur
fercd cnoughg Is my agony never to ceasey and her
tears choked her utierance, and she remained long
clasp'ng her husband who stood like marble statue
showing no outward signs OF emotion "Alone alone
hcnccfofh am she at length said, deprived OF my
supporter my husband oh, Cod is there nothing that
will save my husiands Lost lost, los' Then suddenly
rising she nervcd herself up and EXCHANGED
sDc bravey, Champ; d Q braycly.'
III viii, was the response of the condemned.
The daughter too deeply ate ted, and after the
two had be separated from the prisoner II was with
difficulty that they could sustain themselves and but for
tho assistance rend rcd them they would undoubtedly
have fallen, faintng, to the floor. Crimina-wrctch
though he was--they loved and adored HIM; It Is hu
man IT, The wife aud child c ngs 10 the husband and
tho father though villain Of the deepest dye.
The hour 81 eleven arrived, and Champ was warned
that the time had come when he must prepare TO die
'I'm ready when you are said he to Lie tcnant Chit
tendon and h led out by guard OF cilhi mon To
tho scaiold His sop firm, his carriage erect and
his bearing Just what IL had been from the BEGINNING
He nerved himself up 20 the occas on; not shndder
marrcd the tranquility OF his frame; not q change
passed his count'Dnnce
His hands were pinioncd behind him with a strong
cord His dress black suit OF coarse cloth, but
neat and clean; and his hands were black gloves
Wien he reached the scaold Colonel shaser d.,
walk up MYSELF and he did 30 with nrm and unfalter-
ing steps
hundred auditors and the guards without benchng but
requested that DR. Bunting should pray Tor him. The
Doctor complied with the request. and impcred the
During the prayer the prisoner wepthe first evidence
OF emotion which he had yet given. Colonel S,after
took handk ercher and wiped the prisoners eyes, his
nj tha Tina heir a n other than dry
After this the Colonel read the charges and specinca
tions against him, Ferguson standing unmoyed Till he
ing the venerable Reuben Woods When that name was
mentioned he dropped his head and looked steadily on
the ground for time He was evidently angs,cd TO-
Pharaoh he steeed himself against the reproaches
conscience and he raised his head and braved the
On reading the eleventh specification In which he IL
charged with numbering nm old man named Kizer and
his little daughter he shook his head and on reading
the fifteenth specification which he II charged with
numbering three soldiers Of the Union army he turned
10 the Colonel and said
81 could tell IL better than that, Colonel"
u presume y2l could, was the reply and the read.
From tho eighteenth specification 70 the end he nod
S guilt or shsr a. he Claimed in ACKNOWLEDGMENT
his exploits In legitimate warfare.
Hrs LAST SPEECH.
After Colonel shafter had finished the reading be turn.
cd 10 the prisoner and said:-
I'm obedience to this order, MI. Ferguson, |. Is my
duty TO execute you"
al know IT, responded the prisoner.
uDo you blame met" inquired the Colonel
s'Not particularly" was tho response.
oHave you anything 70 ssyf"
81 can speak much" said the prisoner; 81 did some
OF the acts charged but not ALL some know nothing
about DESIRE Colonel not 10 have my body cut up BY
docors but want TO havept put In that thing pontng
TO his con) and taken 10 the graveyard In White coun
ty, Tennessee and laid there. You won't have mo cut
Ono. responded Colonel Smarter, "you shall not be
up; your body shall be sent 70 your friends Have
you anything more 10 sayf"
"weil, whenever you say STOP III stop" said the
doomed man; ~ am under your control; wouldn't bs
here II could help H. but must, and must submit
What am, am. and can't help n but you would moi
have my body cut up, would you, ColoneY" :.
The Colonel again assured HIM that his remains should
be given 10 his family.
II have" continued the prisoner, ''some a. good
friends any man. but they can't help me now. All
have TO say don't want 10 be cut up BY the doctors
will You put my body In that thng"-agan pointing
his cofnn'and send 20 White county, Iennessee AND
have Il buried In tho old graveyard thereS"
The Colonel agaan assured him that ne would scceue Y
his request
and Colonel shsftsr said,--