The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-12-16

all three with hands interlaid sat.closc to-
gether united as it were.
"Now that have finished with the
things of Heaven let us occupy ourselves
with earth during the moments which re-
main, and he recommended his family
to his friends. Let them remain some
time ignorant of my death. My father
would go mad. My poor mother Sur
round them with precautions for at least
eight days.
Rossei took leave of NJ. Jolly, and
besought him not to go to the place of
execution. He said to him: ain thank
ing you l thank all those who have tried
to save me. Bid them continue to defen d
me after my death, and assure them they
need fear falling into no error when they
declare my only motive my sole ambition
in acting as ] did, was 10 re-begin the
war on the Prussians. ~
THE EXECUTION.
About twenty gentlemen, connected
with the various journals, were present,
but no other civilians were on the round.
The troops formed in three sides ola square,
the butts being on the fourth side, and
there were three firing parties standing
ten PAGES from the butts, and about the
same distance from each other. Each OF
these parties was composed of four SER
geAnts four corporals and four soldiers
The men detailed to shoot Rossel belonged
to the engineers, his own corps, while
Bourgeois was TO be executed by q de-
tachment Of the Forty-ffth regiment, and
Ferre by soldiers from the Fifty-frst Of
| the line.
Rossel marched simply and freely tow
ards the assigned place. At the momen
| when he arrived abreast of the STAFF, nj
| the officers spontaneously uncovered.
He returned their greeting with sweet
ness, and farther on, with his hand made
a gesture to the adjutant of engineers com
manding his firing party, in whom he rec
| ognized an acquaintance. When he reached
| the plateau, he was heard distinctly to pro
| nounce these words: ~ should like Il
| speak to Judge Of the fourth council
| His voice clear and without the faintes
trace OF emotion.
Three posts six feet high and twent,
yards apart were erected opposite the ar
tillery butts. Against each of these post
prisoner was placed. Rossel on the left
Bourgeois in the centre and Ferre on tn
the right. The prisoners were not tied (
| the posts but stood erect with their back
against them. Ferre puffed cigar raj
idly while the registrar read the judgmen
: Rossel begged leave to give the con
, | mand to fire. but was refused. He the
asked to be allowed to shake hands wi,
. his old friend, an artillery officer. TIL
request was also refused. He then tire
off his hat and paletot and suffered his ey
, TO be bandaged, and rubbed his hands
q keep them warm. Bourgeois was al
O bandaged, but Ferre said he could loC
death in the face, and no handkerchief W
put on him.
They now awaited death and in fl
moments the commanding officer gave
&c sign for the firing party to advan
within six PAGES. Then the ad
tant raised his sword, and tn
D. ty-six chasse-pots rung out sim
- taneously. Rossel fell stone dead 81
right through the heart; but the other /,
not being killed outright, received
hs coup de grace Immediately afterwards.
A. At 7:3o the troops began to file past
!! corpse, Rossel's regiment leading
way, with its band playing . brilli'
march. Then q wagon was drawn up O
las three collins being ready, the dead W
placed in them and carried away. Al
the fatal Are had been delivered, Pa:
Passa called out in loud voice 70 Colo
Merlin who commanded: "Colonel,
last wish of Rossel was 10 tell you that
judges have done their duty and that
would have liked 70 have shaken you
the hand The colonel evidently touc
lowered his sword and answered II
yoS, sf., fs~~~ ,-~.~e r'>~.'." Th~
les Of Rossel and Ferre were given VI
~ their families, Bourgeois alone was
AL tered in one Of the three graves dug
. st. Louis cemetery.