The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-11-17
ExECrrIoN oF CAPT. WERE.


On Friday last, at half past ten o.
clock in the forenoon, Capt. Henry
We're, late commander Of the Ander-
sonville prison, was launched into G.
ternity, having been condemned to
death by military commission" He
died, protesting his innocence, and let
it be recorded of this unhappy, friend
less fellow creature, that he died like
man. The South has now given a
"scape-goat for its sins" Would it not
be well for some of our Northern adj
vocates Of justice and the conditions of
civilized life, to have a military COM
mission" try the scoundrels who burn
ed churches, stripped women, and rob-
bed and murdered nOn-combatants in
theSouth? wide DR.. Bachman's letter.
We append thefolIowing account of the
final scene, in the execution of We're;
After the reading of the order was
finished, he stood up with remarkable
calmness, and placid expression Of
cOuntenance.
Major Russell asked him wheather he
had anything to say before the drop
fell. He replied very uncOncernedly:
II have nothing to say to the public,
and to you, Major, will say die in
( nOcent. / have butonce to die, and my
hope is in the future"
Major Russell then asked him if he
forgave him for the part he took in
the matter. He answered:
Il do: | know, as an officer, you have
to act according to orders"
The reverend gentlemen continued
their words of consolation as the moose
was put around his neck by the hang
man.
He maintained the most st0lid indif-
ference, and smiled as the black cap
was drawn over his head, and main
tanned the erect posture without finch
ing moment, until the fatal signal
was given, and the drop fell. The whole
affair was very brief, and passed off
more promptly than any Of the many
previous executions here.
Mr.. Schade says he was called upon
by several persons last night, as was
also Father Boyle, who communicated
information, purpOrting to come from
a member of the Cabinet, to the effect
that if they would acknowledge that
JEFF. Davis was connected with the a.
trOcities at AndersonVille, his sentence
should be cOmmuted. Although Mr.
Schade did not place full confidence in
these reports, he considered his duty
to relate them to the prisoner, at his
last conference with him. Capt. We're,
in reply, said, "NIr. Schade, you know
| have always told you that | do not
know anything about Jefferson Davis.
He had no connection with me as to
what was done at AndersOnville, and
if | knew he had | would not become a
traitor against him or anybody else to
save my life"
The following letter was written by
We're before mounting the gallows:
OLD CAPITOL PRISON, Nov. 10. '65.
Mr.. Schade, Dear Sir 1T is no doubt
the last time that / address myself to
you. What have said to you often
and often, | repeat, accept my thanks
for all you have done for me. May God
reward you, l cannot. Still l havesome-
thing more to ask of you, and ] am
confident you will not refuse to receive
my dying rnquc7t.
Please help my poor family. My
dear wife and children. War, cruel
war, has swept everything from me,
and to-day my wife and children are
beggars. My life is demanded as an
atOnement, and ! am willing to give it.,
and I hope after a while | viii be judg-
ed differently from what / am now. If
any one ought to come to the relief of
my family it is the people Of the South,
for Whosessakes / have sacrificed all. /
know you will excuse me for troubling
you again. Farewell, dear sir; may
God bless you.
Yours, thankfully, II. WE'RE.