Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-08-01
rnr rxrcrrIoN olr lIA11M1L1AN.
Graphic Account of His Last Hours--He
Forgives His Enemies--His Last Words.

Forgives His Enemies--His Last words.
The Esperanza, Queretaro journal, In
its issue of June 20, gives some details OF
Maximilian's last hours, which are SO in
teresting that we copy the most impor-
tant parts: t
THE LAST NIGHT.
! Maximilian requested that they might
! bc allowed to remain together to the last.
{ This was kindly granted. They were
transferred to the old convent, which had
answered as hospital for the French
troops, and the principal hall of which
on the grand floor-was spacious and
comfortable. 1t was in this room that
the hospital drug shop had been
kept. The room has two windows look
ing out on the court yard gardens. AT
one end of this room an altar was pre-
pared. The sentinels had orders to fire
on any one who should attempt to enter
without pass from Captain Gonzales
AT all events, no one was permitted at
first to enter but Father Fischer, secre-
tary and confessor to MaXimilian. Later,
the Bishop of Queretaro offered his SER
vices, which were accepted after short
conference between the prisoners. They
passed most of the night in conversation
and preparing themselves for DEATH
MlIdlllDl Sliicicu ~ Bicdt utui itOii hiS
wound in the eye, which he kept con-
stantly bathing with fresh water. Mejia
slept soundly.
At one time Macmillan asked for some
writing materials. These were got with
some difficulty as it was in the middle
of the night. He wrote two letters, the
first in German to the Archduchess So
phia, his mother; the other to his wife.
He gave both letters TO the bishop, re-
qucstlng him to see that they were de-
livered. He gave him also lock of hair,
which the wife of one of his guards re-
uuested permission to cut off herself
Before giving the lock of hair he kissed
! it, folded it up carefully, and then slip
ped it into the envelope already scaled
! for his wife.
After4o' clock MaXimilian wished mass
| to be said which was done by the bishop,
after Meiia had been awakened. All then
received communion together.
! After mass the Emperor remained a
! long time kneeling OF the hard stones
for they had no prize dicu-with his eyes
toward the ground and his head resting
OH his hand in pensive attitude. 1t ID
not known for certain whether he was
praying or weeping. Miramon was pale
and downcast. Meia seemed to be quite
ut ease. We must bear i'm mind, how
ever, that he was an Indian, and that he
deemed it glory to die with his sover'
eign.
LEAVING TIE PRISON.
When o'clock had struck, the music
of the solemn procession was heard APP
preaching, and Capt. Gonzales entered
the chapel with the bandages in his hanc
to cover the prisoners eyes. Miramor
quietly allowed him to cover his eyes
but Mejia refused, and as the Captain
10
his resistance, the bishop uttered some
thing to the Indian chief, who at one,
became submissive. But the Emperor
advancing, declared that he would moi
allow his eyes to be bandaged. After {
few moments of hesitation, Gonzales sa
lutcd MaXimilian with u kind look anC
placed himself at the head of the escort
The procession at once fell into line
A squadron of lancers led the way, fol
lowed by the band, which played Il dead
march. a battalion of infantry formed
two lines, each fourteen deep, between
which were the prisoners. When the
procession reached the main door of the
convent Mejia cried out, "Sirc, for the
last time show US again the example o.
yournoble courage; we follow in the foot,
steps of your Majesty" Just at this mo
ment the Franciscans were passing. Tho
first two bore the cross and the holy
water, the remainder bore lighted tapcrs
Each of the three collins were borne by
three Indians, and the three black cross
es, with the prisoners seats, were borne
along mt the rear. Captain Gonzales al
this point made sign to Macmillan to
step out into the street. He obeyed, adj
vancing cOurageously as he said I'm his
broken Spanish, Vumos nos q Ia Hbertad
U.et us advance to our frecdom.)
TIE EXECITTION.
Tho procession then wended its way
along the Gale de Cementerio behind
the church and along the route by the
aqueduct. In short while 1t had the
whole plain in full view, and the view
from below was imposing indeed. The
Emperor marched first, with the AbbC
Fischer on his right, and the bishop Oh
his left. Behind him came Mramon,
resting on the arms of two Franciscans
and Mejia supported by the two priests
belonging to the parish of Santa Cruz
When they had reached the top of the
hight dc la Campana. Macmillan looked
hXelly toward the rising sun; then draw
ing from his pocket his watch touched
its spring and produced n miniature like
ness of the Empress Carlotta. He brought
the image to his lips, kissed 1t, and then
handingit by the chain to Father Fischer
said: Garry this souvenir to Europe fol
my dear wife,; and should she ever bl
able to understand you, tell her that my
eyes were closed with her likeness, which
/ will bear with me to heaven!" The
point which the cortege had reached Ii
near the big wall of the cemetery. The
bells of the churches were tolling, ant
the immediate witnesses of the seen,
were but few, rs the crowd had been KEEP
back by the soldiery.
The three black crosses and the pris
oners' benches were fixed against tho
wall, and the three firing platoons-com
posed of five men each, with two undel
officers to cach'platoon in reserve for tho
coup dc 9rdcG-advanccd to within thre,
PAGES of the condemned. The Emperor
when he heard the clicking of the fire
looks, thought they were about to fire
and approaching his two companions
embraced them with touching earnest
ness. Miramon was so affected that h,
almost fell over on his seat but the Fran
ciscans stretched his arms out In the Mt
titude of cross. Mejia returned tn,
Emperor's embrace with great affection
and uttered some broken words that n,
one could distinguish, and crossing hi
arms on his breast, stood up nobly. Tn,
bishop, advancing to MaXlmilian, said
"Sirc, in my person, bestow upon al
Mexico the kiss of reconciliation. lie
your Majesty forgive all ut this suprem,