The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-07
kENNEOY's EXECUTION.
He Dies the Death Of q
Bravad0.
SCENES AT The SCAFFOLD.


Robert COBB KENNEDY was hanged on
Friday last at Fort Lafayette. He was
captain in the rebel army, found guilty of
being spy and of setting fire to hotels in
New York on November %, 1864, and
condemned by court martial. He made
full confession of his guilt. The Times
gives the following account of the scenes
at the execution:
Kennedy now spent some time with the
rebel Gen. Beall and DR.. Burke in prayer,
and in sending messages and mementoes
to friends. All the spectators had now
arrived. The bounty swindlers and other
prisoners were stationed where they could
see the scaffold, while the garrison, under
command Of First Lieut. James A. Hop
kins, 18th q. s. Unfit, were drawn up in
hollow square about the scaffold. The
executioner, Maine deserter, who for his
work was pardoned his offence, was placed
in the box, and the hour having arrived,
the officials proceeded to the room of the
condemned. The officer of the day, First
Lieut.. s. W. Black, 18th o. s. Inft with
a detail stood at the door, while Col.
Burke, Marshal Murray and Isaacs en-
tered. Kennedy stood near the fire, with
Gen. Beall and the Chaplain. Starting
forward he said excitedly: "Oh, I know
what you want; am prepared for it, and
passed to the further end of the room for
something, when he noticed the underta-
ker, Isaacs. and said: 81 don't know you
nor who the HI you are" Beall re-
strained him, and Marshal Murray told
him it was time for him to be prepared as
the hour had arrived. Gall right" said
he, "I'm ready; I'm prepared for this
thing; tie my arms" and. then, after
moments quiet, "This is hard, for you
regular soldier in the Confederate army,
and have been since the war"
To the writer he said, "Good by, old
fellow; you'll do me justice in that state
ment (referring to his confession,) won't
you; you'll put it all INF" Isaacs having
bound his arms, placed the black cap on
his head, at which he started, saying,
cam to wear this thing to the galows?''
He was told that he was, and as he was
again about repeating something more
about the Yankees, General Beall inter-
rupted, saying "These gentlemen have
nothing to do with that, Kennedy" and
he stopped. The procession, under charge
of Lieut.. Black, then marched to the gal
lows, upon the scafold of which stood
backless chair, and near which were the
reporters,of some Of the papers. For
moment Kennedy sat down, smiled, and
h111 of 70 oh <ho
Of which tickled his face, and threw it
spitefully on the board. Hethen stood up
while Capt. Thomas 81. French, Tenth U.
8. Infantry, Post Adjutant, read the very
long and able review of the case, recently
issued by Gen. Dix, in General Orders
No. %. Capt. French read it distinctly
and fluently, but during the ten minutes
he consumed,
KENNEDY FREQUENTLY INTERRUPTED
him, saying "It's id lie" and laugh
ing laudly and extensively. At its conclu-
sion, the chaplain read the appropriate
service, and then, kneeling, offered a
touching appeal in behalf of the wretched
man, who refused to kneel, and seemed
scarcely human in. his levlty, while all
about him were hushed with reverence.
Isaacs stepped forward, but Kennedy,
placing his back against the upright plank,
said: colonel, I wish to make state
ment. Gentlemen, this is judicial mur-
der. Colonel, I am ready. This is ju-
dicial, cowardly murder. There's no oc-
casion for the United States to treat me
in this way. say, Colonel, can't you
give me drink before 60 upp"
At the signal, Isaacs again approached
to adjust the knot and pull down the cap,
when Kennedy startled every one present
by suddenly shouting forth the stanza:
Trust to luck, trust to luck,
Stare your fate in the face.
Sure your heart will be aiey
If it's in the right place.
The final note of which yet rang in our
ears when the whirl of Lieut.. Blacks
blade brought down the fatal blow, and
the broken.necked corpse Of the incendia-
ry swung before Us.
His death was instantaneous. His body
moved gently back and forth for few
moments, was cut down, encoffined, and
taken off, while the spectators separated,
the troops returned to their quarters, and
the bounty -swindlers to their rooms.