The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-10-22
TWICE HANGED.

There was an episode during my life
at Andersonville that stands ont IN my
memory above all others. No man can
conceive of the generalization that
comes upon men confronted on all sides
with so much misery. The greatest
luxury that could DO enjoyed by pris'
oner was warm blanket. Yet men
were found among the prisoners base
enough to rob their fellows OF even
these comforts. A gang of robbers was
organized, who went around the camp
at night and tore the blankets aud
clothes off the sick Gnd dying men.
kicking and beating those who made
any feeble attempt ct resistance. In
little while the robbcries became go fire.
quent o. TO be the worst Of our troub-
les. A perfect reign OF terror existed
aud We did not know what to do. FL
naily, after consultation, we asked per-
mission Of Writ to investigate and see
who were the perpetrators OF these OUT
RACES. Wirtz granted 1.-THE only kind
act he ever did. believe, for the Union
prisoners there. and l thank him for 1t
to this day. We picked cut six men
for trial before tribunal Of our own
selection. II sat outside of the stock
ade under . Confederate guard. A
Judge, jury, prosecuting attorney. and
clerk were appointed. together with
counsel for the defence. Evidence was
heard from many OF the prisoners. and
tho accused were all identified IS
among the parties guilty Of the rsbber-
les. A verdict Of guilty was returned.
and they were sentenced to be hung.
The proceedings were approved by
Wirtz, who ordered tho lumber to be
furnished US for q scaffold. We built
one sufficient for our purpose. 1t con-
sisted simply Of cross beam supported
by two uprights. A platform was con-
struc,ea about three fest from the
ground. tho first plank laid at right
angles with the upright and parallel
with the cross beam directly above it,
being so adjusted that it could DO with
drawn from its position at moment 8
notice. The six condemned men were
escorted TO tho scsfold by 800 prison.
ers, armed with sticks aud clubs. They
were placed on tho plank. In lieu of
the customary black caps their heads
were encased in -four sacks.
withstanding this absence Of GER
emony the scene was an impressive one
The gallows stood near the top of the
hill, ard nearly all the thirty eight
thousand prisoners were gathered to
witness tho execution. They maintain
ed perfect silence. rofraining from any
insults to the condemned, but their
hollow eyes. pale, pinchad faces, their
savage expression Of countenance, were
q sufficient indication Of their detcrm-
ination that no one should escape.
The ropes were carefully adjusted.
with the knot in each case under the
loft ear. and. by signal. the board WAS
withdrawn from beneath them. There
was a drop Of two feet. and the bodies
swung about foot from the ground
oil but ono. The sixth man, Q former
sailor in the navy. was perceived to
have fallen to the ground. Tho rope
had broken.
In an instant no was on his feet. He
started to run down the hill. The
crowd. oomprehonding his intention TO
escape. followed with Wild yell in pur-
suit. 1t was fight for life. He had a
start Of . few seconds and made the
most by it. Inever cav man run as
he did. lie went down to tho morass
with nearly thirty eight thousand NEE
close upon his heels. Not finding him
there we looked up and saw him run.
ming up the sido Of the other hill. We
followed. lie made for one CT the huts
or sheds. but as soon as be heard us
coming. got out and started on the run.
Widening the d,staaca between us he
agian sought refuge in dugout. and q
second time had to abandon it as We
came mp. II VAS twenty minutes be
fore We had him fast. He begged pit
eously for his life. but W. had no mercy
We had to drag him down the hill
through the sand. thence through the
swamp and up the other hill TO the
scatfold. He was held by three men or
the platform while tho moose was 81.
justcd the second time. after we had
spoiled the rope. He tremblcd in every
limb. Al the given moment the meu
pushed him from the scaifold. and h,
swung clear from the ground two feet
The robberies never occurred again.