The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-03-18

The result was, six were found guilty,
and were sentenced to be hung.
On the eleventh cf July the execu-
ton took place. A scatfold was erect
ed near the South gate. The doomed
men were brought in at four o'clock
in the afternoon. A crowd OF some
fifteen thousand crowded densely
around them. Just before the ap-
pointed time, one of them made a
desperate attempt to escape. He only
reached the opposite bank of the
stream, when he was seized and drag
ged back. lie was taken past where
| stood. | never saw such an express
sion upon the human countenance as
was upon his. When he first escap-
ed the crowd thought rescue was
being made and acd in terror, falling
into wells, rushing over tents, and
scrambling to the North side. Even
the rebels were scared, and ran to
their guns. At last quiet was restor-
ed, and the cul prits ascended the scaf-
fold. Each one made short speech,
one, ayoung sailor saying, che would
show them how an Irishman could
die" Then a prayer was made by a
Catholic Priest, the ropes were adj
Ijusted, the sacks drawn over their
heads, their arms bou I'd behind them
the trap was sprung, the scafiold fell,
and five Of the wretched souls were
swung into eternity. Silence so pro-
found rcigned throughout the prison
that the death-rattlo in their throats
was heard. The leader of the gang,
Moseby, broke the rope, but he was
quickly suspended again, and sent on
to join his companions.
This etfectually stopped the raid
ing business. a police force was
established, which, although some-
times abusive of its power, prevented
all thieving and robbery.
FJg'ting.-Atfrst the prisoners were
very pugnacious. All quarrels were
settled by the force of arms. l often
witnessed halfa dozen fights before
breakfast time. The oaly redeeming
feature Of these was, they were conduc-
ted with fairness, according to the rules
of the p. Il. After the execution of
the Raiders they gradually decreased,
until fight became rare thing.
Ve,min.-This is a disgusting sub-
ject, yet the history of the prison
would not be complete without it.
To say the prison was infested with
vermin is faint--it literally swarmed
with them. At first | counted the
number | killed daily, but after run
ming up beyond two hundred, be-
come tired. Imagine the sensation:
of a person awakened from sleep by a
regiment of "groybacks' playing bat
tallion drill upon his breast, and com
panie5 scouting all over his body in
search of blood They were of all
sizes and colors, from the great butter
nut colorel devil with knapsacl and
musket, to the diminutive red imp
that hid away in the seams, and yelled
out "Catch me if you can" l have
seen dead men 50 thickly covered with
them the flesh could not be seen.
They could be seen at any time crawl
iny on the sand.
EscaPing.-Tunnels were the usual
means tor attempts to escape, the
thought of which was ever in our
minds. The earth being all sand a
tunnel could be dug in week with a
half-canteen. The work was usually
carried on in the night, the dirt being
carried to the brook, or thrown into
wells. The plan was to dig out under
the stockaae. Often when one would
be almost finished some prisoner, for
the sake of loafo bread, would in
form Wirz Of its existence. Some
times these traitors were caught, and
the hair shaved off of half their heads,
and then marched around camp, look
ing supremely ridiculous. But ]
think few ever escaped clear, perhaps
none ever did. The rebels had blood
hounds that were taken around the
prison every morning, and if any had
escaped they quickly found their trail.
and then all hope for them was gone.
-
FACTS are stubborn things" said
a lawyer to a female witness under