Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-07-17
Full Particulars of the Execution of
- MaIimilian. L.


- - Macmillan.
The Brownsville Raachero of the 4th inst.
published the proceedings of the court mar
ial that tried Macmillan and his generals.
The court was composed of lieutenant
colonel, president, six captains, and ajudge
advocate. The prisoners we're tried sepa-
rately, each plea containing denial OF the
jurisdiction of the court and protesting against
the refusal of the right of appeal.
Maximilian was confined to his bed when
his case was called. His trial being last, he
was ably defended by Senior Eulalio Ortega,
who refuted the charges of usurper and cru
City, and said the law of October Sd was made
when Maximilian was cheated into the belief
that Juar,z had abandoned the territory and
that one of the articles of that law was dlcta
ted By the French commander-in-chief, and
who said, moreover, that the law was only in
tended as terror, as there had never been
| any petition for pardon presented, but 1t was
conceded useless.
He earnestly asked members Of the court,
IN the tame Of civilization and the history
which vii! Judge of the terrible deeds done
this day. as the defenders of the second in
dependence of Mexico, to save the good name
of the country. Coming generations Will ap
plaud the crowning Of the. greatest victory
by the greatest pardon.
Among the accusations against Maximilian
was one for attempting to p.olcng the war
by the decree of March Tth, creating re-
gency iu case of his death in the approaching
battles.
Jesus Maria Vasouez, one of Maximilians
counsel, closed the argument rs follows: II
you condemn the Archduke to death | am
not uneasy about coalition in Europe. or
the threatening attitude that the United
States may assume towards the Republic. |
have confidence in the Liberal armies that.
have routed out the French from this soil, but
fear the universal reproach that Will iall
upon our country as an anathema. more than
even the sentence of death, because of the
nullity of the proceedings Of this court" The
court commenced at A. NJ. on the 10Th,
| went into secre: session un the evening OF
the l4th, aud dissolved al 10 P. n. the same
night.
THE EXECUTION.
An extra Of the New Orleans Times pub
lshed on Tuesday evening, contains letter
from San Luis Potosi, giving additional de-
tails concerning Maximiian's execution, in
company,with Miramon and Mejia, as fol-
lows:
At six o'clock on the morning of juno ~
the troops of Escobedo formed shert dis
tance from the city Tor the execution of Maxi
milan and his generals, the people OF Qdere-
taro fockiug By thousands to see the closing
scenes in the lie of the men they loved. AS
the clock strikes seven the bells tell and an
uounce that the prisoners have LETT their
prisons for the last time, aud are on theis way
to their execution. After few moments
,hey appear, drawn'in carriages and large
guard around them, the Emperor first, Mira
mon next and Majia last. As they near the
place of execution convulsire sobs break from
the crowd. The carriages stop and the pris-
oners get out. Among the concave you can
hardly see dry eye. Tokens of dissatisfac-
ton are manifested.
DEMEANoR OF THE PRISONERS.
Macmillan, on alighting, is saluted by the
people. In an easy and graceful manner,
and with an, elastic step, he marched to the
fatal spot. The prisoners were dressed IN
plain manner. They were not bound nor
b!indfolled. In taking his position, the En-
peror spoke in clear and firm manner, and
with nothing of bravado. He seemed to feel
his situation, and said when he was first wait
ed upon at home by the deputatioa frcmMeX-
ico who came with credentials offering him
the government of the country, he refused.
At subsequent meeting the proposition was
again presented, and he replied thet if con-
yinced that the majority thought thatt was
to their interest to place him at the head OF
the government be might consent Another
deputation waited on him and brought ad-
ditional testimonials. Upon advice from the
powers of Europe, who advised him that there
was no other course to pursue, he accepted
the call. He denied that the court that tried
him had a right to do so. His was case of
good faith. The nations of the world had
pledged their faith to him. He never would
have done the act had not been for the good
of Mexico. In conclusion, he hoped his blood
would stop the ctfuson of blood in the
country.
Miramon spoke from paper. The only
regret he felt in dying was that, should the
Liberal party retain the government, his chill
dren would be pointed out as the children OF
a traitor. He told them he was no traitor,
but had always opposed Liberal principles,
and always been against the disorder of the
country. He should die as he lived, 4 con-
servatiye, satisfied to die for his country. The
fame Of his acts would live, and postcrity
would Judge whether he was right or wrong
He closed with the words, Fica = En-
peror Tira la Merico!''
Meja made no address he went to E'co
tol1 h. tl,ot ba hoH
never made an effort to make money. His
only wealth consisted in. forty cattle in the
mountains. He asked that the merchants of
Matamoras, to whom he owed considerable,
would not press his wife to pay his debts when
they came into possession of the money left
them by the Kindness Of the Emperor.
THEIR LAST MOMENTS.
After Miramon ceased speaking. the guard
was drawn up. The prisoners were standing.
facing them The Emperor called the ser
geant, and drawing from his pocket handful
Of $40 pieces, he gave them to him, and re-
quested that after his death he would divide
them with his company, asking as favor
that he would aim his bullet at his heart. The
officers gave the signal, the yolley was fired,
and the prisoners lay stretched on the ground.
The Emperor was not quite dead. There was
considerable quiveriDg of the muscles. Five
balls had entered his breast. Two soldiers
were then called out, who shot him in the
side. Gems. Mi.amon and Mejia were killed
by tue first volley. Each Of the four balls
entered in the breast. A sheet was thrown
over the Emperor by the doctor, who was to
embalm his body. The bodies were then ta-
ken by their respective friends, and the troops
moved back to their quarters, while thou.
sands remained, kept by a supernatural
agency.