Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-08-14

gence of tho death of his father also.
1t was but natural that such c success
sion of calamities should crush him to
the earth. disappointment grief and
close confinement had their effect on
his health and spirits. His appetite
failed, his memory became impaired,
and his hair turned as gray as that OF
a man of eighty, though he was still
under thirty years of agel The piysi-
clan examined him, but could discover
no disease, and yet ii was plain he was
failing fast.
About the first of June, 1873, Berry
was brought into the hospital and
placed in the care of the writer. Every
thing that could be done to arouse
him from his depression and melan-
choly was done, but all in vain. He
sank visibly from day to day. At
times he talked freely-narrated the
events of his life-and showed the nu-
merous scars he had received during
the war. He was also fond Of talking
on religious topics, and seemed to
have an abiding faith that his spirit
would soon be with his wife's and his
friends in the regions Of the BEST.
But it was evident from the restless
lustre of his eye, and the incoherent
mutterings into which he sometimes
fell. that Reason tottered on its throne.
When in the talking mood he repeat
edIy assured the writer that he was IN
nocent Of the charges against him
that he had never slain nor 1ll-used
prisoner-that he had never to his
own knowledge killed more than one
man. and him he killed in self defence,
after he had been himself shot through
the thigh. He declared in the most
solemn terms that he had been wrong
ed: he considered himself not more
guilty than any other Confederate Off
| Ger, who had operated in an irregular
manner within the ennmy's lines; as
| Tor instance Mosby, or Strinfellow, or
even John Morgan.
Now. as a matter of course. the state
n1ent Of a convict undergoing punish
ment is to be taken with a great many
grains of caution; for we rarely find d
! criminal who does not profess to be a
"wronged and injured man." But
what gives weight to Berry's assevera-
| tious is the fact that he was on the
D int of death, and was fully conscious
of his condition; and he showed the
writer many letters corroborating the
| statements he made. In one letter
from General Palmer, afterwards
Governor Of Illinois, who was Presi-
dent of the Court which sentenced
Berry, occurs this passage: 81 am
satisfied that you did not mistceat
your prisoners, but, on the contrary,
that YOU interpose2 to save the lives
of Union soldiers who had fallen into
the hands of other bushwhackers.
It now only remains to tell of the
death Of this unfortunate youth. About
the middle Of June he came to the
| writer, ana in q very melancholy tone
asked whether ii was likely lie .-oll(
be living on the Fourth of July. Ger
tainly, Berry, but you ought to give
up your habit of moping about ant
breeding over your troubles. Pick VI
little resolution, and make up you
mind to be cheerful until your release
which will take place in less than
year Doa'." Ee shook his heady sadly
''Remember that yoa have & bog t.
live for, and your name to vindicnte.
eyes" said lie, "those two object
sometimes make rec desirious of Twin.
longer. But I am utterly crushed;
have lost all interest in worldly mat
tiers; you will have to lay mo out il
the box before another month"
His words were rrophet:-t week
later be went to MS bed, and fell int
a deep sleep-a sleep from which b
mover ayoke. Finally on the nornin!
OF the Eouth of Juiy the end came, q
was stated in the beginning of TIL
!, article We lifted his emaoiated corps
from the bed, and laid it in a rough
implanted box. With DO shrord. II
wrappings, no pillow but handful O
shavings; and then four stout convict
took it upon their shoulders, and Dor
it away to felon's grave-the Potter
, field!
Thus passed away Samuel Czca
Berry, i'll the 22d year Of his age
after seven years Of close confnemen
il the Penite0tisrv. This sketch i
written in lu;f!lment of a promis
made to the dying man by the writer
who, without any personal knowirdg
, Of the facts except Berry's own asses
; erations. believes them in the main I
BE- true Il. A. :.