Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-08-03


it would come to this"
stop! stop can't bear this You are
not afraid to die. Be man. Be calm, and
let US quietly look at your condition, and
determine what is best to be DONE"
That's true, sir. am soldier, and can
die as u soldier. But to have my uniform
stripped of, my eyes blirdfolded, and be
shot down like a dog cant bear it,"
but it is better to die innocent than
guilty. Better die under false charges than
true. If you were a deserter, the dishonor
would be real and indellible IT, on the
other hand, you are guiltless, the dishonor
is only in seeming; your own soul and God
will clear you of all inherent shame"
That's so, but it is hard to have ones
friends think that he is guilty when he is
innocent" ..r..
"Yes. But it would be harder to have
ones friends think be is guilty if he we're"
81 know. But it's dreadful, dreadful .
What shall do 2"
DO Be man. Do your duty. You
meet your fate like brave lhan-no coward
ly fears, no pitiable displays of weakness
and trembling"
81 am not afraid to die; but to have my
comrades think me deserter."
perhaps they will not. But if they do
! it will not make you 81, unless you intend
ed to be-
True. But could die in peace if knew
they thought me innocent"
God will take care of that. Let US leave
it to him."
Tell me then what to do"
Have you any friends ?"
"Yes--a father and sister,
"Do they know that you are Cuion sol
dier 2"
"Yes. They are Union people. I sent
! word to them by coored man that had
enlisted in the Union army"
"Have you any property that you would
| like to leave them a.
mo, am poor boy; my father is poor;
we had mighty hard chance, sir"
But you have some message to send themf
You would, at least, like to have them know
| your fate7"
"Oh no, it would kill them. What
would they say if they knew was shot as
deserter 2" 1t would kill them sure. My
God my God 1t must not be-"
"Well, then, let's leave them. Is there
anything else you wish to say or do for
yourself2"
mo, sir. would not have my friends
! know that am to die like traitor And
as for myself / have no anxiety for the
present"
"Then you have only to look to the life to
come. Are you ready topush aside the veil
and to step inside the endless future ."
ats awful 10 exchange worlds"
"To the guilty. But if you have ever made
Jesus your friend, you may tread the dark
valley calmly and trustfully leaning on him.
IL have; at least hope so. But I've had
a right poor chance to get one."
"a few hours hence, and you expect to
be face to face with the splendors of his
throne. Can you trust your eternity in his
hands2"
"Yes, can"
Because you are SO good, OF so unfortu
nate. or both ~
mo, am not good, but he is, and car
trust him."
Have you told him that since you came
here 2"
II hadn't thought of it. felt SO bad
couldn't pray"
"He came to bear our griefs and carry ou
sorrows Suppose we kneel down here sn1 sS
tell him everything. l will lead, you fol
low"
"Yes" @
And SO after reading the 10Th chapter o
John, with an emphasis and nearing w
never comprehended before, we knelt to
gether on the cold stones. AS best coult
committed him and his case unto God
asking especially that he might live II /
should please the Lord, but that, living o
! dying, he might be his. And then the pri
soner broke out into such treaty OF praye
and recognition and trust the most sweet
eloquent and touching ever listened to.
: We rose from our knees. said this maj
e is no traitor, and must not be shot. A grea
: wrong will be done if he is, and my countr
: must not be guilty of his blood.
( left the cell. 1t was now near night TIL
4 prisoner was to be shot between ten an
! twelve o'clock the next day. l told m
v convictions to Others. We determined
e make last effort to save him, A trust
S man was dispatched to Fortress Monroe
S intercede with General Butler. He hear
i our plea, ard entered into our feeling, bu
# he bad no power-the President had al
proved and ordered the execution. Th
l. General, however, at once telegraphed
Il Washington, asking at least reprieve for
d few days.
il But all the night long the operator sat
!. his instrument watching for a reply OF
:, none came. Morning dawned bright an
q calm and sweet, and it brought no hope
Il the prisoner sought his cell. He had siel
u ike cnliO, ana was peIieCtiy eiouio.'' -"
8, looked forth to his doom without disma
e He met me with pleasant greeting, and e.
a, pressed surprise and grati6oation that ] ha
l. come so early. And then We took our to
!, lament, read and talked of the wonderf
e things which God had prepared for the
d that love him, until our hearts were q
lie aglow under the vision Of glory to be 7
II vealed.
ID Subdued thus, and sweetly realizing Il
AZ fruitions of faith, we bowed once more {
d. the cold naked stones, and prayed till Il
,g cell was full of the light aud peace of Go
ht ~ am ready now" were his words. ga
as him my hand, promising to return at nj
ne o'clock, to attend him to the place Of }
h. execution, four miles away.
nd Nine O'Clock, but no reprieye. The Ia
ii. hope is gone. A company of cavalry, Il
d infantry, and an ambulance form in front
T. the prison In few moments the prison
IN guarded on either side, comes forth, t
,el ambulance, while the cavalry formed into
le- hollow square, received into the centre.
And now the whole stern array moves slo
np ly off to tho sound of the mutfled dru
beating the sad, solemn death march. 1t
n,t tha nnsic nf a ian on the Vav to the &C