Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-16
LAST HOURS OF ROssEL.
A thrilling Account of his Execu-
tton1- u Messages 20 His Father,

| Special Dispatch 10 the Clneinnau Enquirer'I
rsit,A. New YoRK. December u.
The Paris Gaulois, of November %,
describes the last scene in Rossers life.
The last days Of the prisoner were mark
ed with the same calm courage that he
displayed Throughout, reading Charles
] Twelfs Cornellle Calvin, whom he pas
sionately revered, Shiller's Thirty \ ears
War, Tennyson's poems in English, and
an old book of prayers, peculiar to the
Cevenus, the home of his paternal an
cestors. He made his will, and left spe-
cial legacies of notes and writings. The
prison authorities entertained fears that
he might commit suicide, and when MIR.
Passa spoke of this, Rossel answered
IL commit suicidel That would be to
end life like a love-stricken barberF
| As the governor Of the prison still
seemed uneasy, Rossel took up a strip of
glass, which he had picked up in the ex-
ercise yard, saying That would have
been sufficient had | any intention OF
suicide" And then, placing the glass
in piece of paper, he handed it to the
governor, adding; Have no fear; |
shall die in open day. His last days
we're spent in a study, and his conversa-
ton turned upon serious subjects. AT
| five am. Mr.. Albert Jolly, who defended
Rossel with great Skill and has sued for
his life with pertinacity and zeal, and
who accepted the task of announcing
the hour OF execution TO be at hand, en-
tered Rossels cell. The doomed man
was in so profound slumber he had to
be called twice before he could arouse.
When he awoke he asked, in his usual
clear, calm voice; Oh, is it for this
morning2 pqq al ar1a.tL1tg0
NJ. Jolly, weeping, replied" Ay.p"
| Rossel-" What timer
| Jolly" The execution is ordered TO
take place at seven an, and the depar-
ture from prison at six am.
Rossel-" And it'll now2
Jolly" Five am.
Rossel said" am going to leave my
chamber in great disorder ! neyerthe-
less beg you will allow it to remain un-
touched, that my family may see it just
as left it. They themselves will ar
range it. Ny mother and my dear Sis
ters know my ways, and will know how
to deal with the chaos. ..I
The Protestant clergyman, Rev, M,
Passa,S called at 500. Z Albert Jolly
again withdrew, and Rossel waved the
Governor out of the cell, closed the
! door, and remained alone with his pas
tor. They we're together half an hour,
at the end of which time Rossel opened
the door and recalled NJ. Jolly, saying,
% have done with things spiritual. We
may talk for a few minutes M. Passa
and Rossel threw themselves into each
others arms Rossel then wtote,
under the eyes Of the pastor, the follow
ing letter to his grandmother:
"To Mrs, Isabella Campbell. Cod
mother, i love thee. 2Sth November,
1871. We have just communicated, M.
Passa and |, and God has blessed that
communion. can say that II is the
first time that | communicated, and l
am full of gratitude toward Jesus Christ
for having left US that token NJ ~ n
tie LlsE;
Then Rossel addressed to his father,
his mother and his sisters the following
adieu:
"2sth of November, 1871, $3.50 a. .m.-
Nv welLbeloved father, my wellbeloved
| mother, my dear Bella, my dear Sarah
edieul my well-beloyed, or rather, du
reroir. thank you for all the love with
which you have surrounded me. Even
TO the last moment ! ask pardon for not
having more and better loved and for
having caused you so much pain. | am
| firm and sef good courage. ] embrace
you with all my heart Jeu > n
"Your child, RossEL."
These letters written, it was a quarter
past six Rossel entreated NJ. Jolly to
re.enter, and made him sit down at his
side. All three, with hands interlaced,
sat close together.
Now that | have finished with the
things of heaven, letus occupy oursek es
with earth during the moments which
remain, and he recommended his fami-
ly to his friend. i'Agi lAol ~ y
"Let them remain some time ignorant
of my death. Ny poor father would
20 mad. My poor mother Surround
them with precautions for at least eight
days." Rossel took leave Of M. Jolly
and besought him not to go to the place
of execution. He said to him; In
thanking you / thank all who tried to
save me; bid them continue to deferd
me after my death and assure them they
4 neG0 lear ldllluR lnhO NJ NilOA WhNh NANJ
declare myonly motive, my only ambition
for acting as did, to rebegin the war on
the Prussians. He went to the door OF
the yard where the wagons were waiting
at $50; three military jourgons started
from the prison, escorted by two sfhads
/ Of cavalry. In the FIRST Rossel sat, ac-
companied by the Protestant clergyman,
who has so assiduously attended on him
during his long confinement, and two
gensdarmes. The second vehicle con-
tanned Bourgeoise, a priest, and two ser
geauts de Vile; while in the third Ferre
sat, attended in like manner, past the
| Prefecture and the Place de Armes, on
ward by the Cathedral and up the steep
Rue de Satony, through part OF the
camp, and 50 to the Artillery Butts.
There were 1000 men, including repre-
sentatives from every corpse in the
camp, who were drawn up to witness the
execution. About twenty gentlemen
connected with various journals were
present, but no other civilians we're on
the ground. The troops formed three
sides Of a square, the butts being on the
fourth side; and there were three firing
| parties, standing ten PAGES from the
butts, aud about the same distance from
each other. Each Of the parties was
composed Of four sergeants, four corpo-
rails, and four soldiers The men detailed
to shoot Rossel belonged TO the engineers
of his own corps, while Bourgeoise was
to be executed by detachment Of the
Forty fifth regiment, and Ferre by sol
liers from the Fifty first regiment the
line. Rossel was accompanied by NJ.
Passa, who exhorted him. Rossel said
to him: Here round my neck is an
eye-glass; you will deliver it to my father
whenI shall have quite seen everything.
However, these are keepsakes Of my
mother" and he showed some artistic
Riholefs which he carried round his
( neck. "You will deliver them to her
when ] an dead and after you have
taken them from my body"
"No, Rossel, let It be rather message
from the living, and Rossel said You
are right" Then, .aking them OF, be