Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-08-06

How A Brave Man Dlvd.

u Capt. Ben. +. Egan sends tho
! CHRONICLE the following:
The morning Of the 10Th of June.
1866, arose clear and cloudless, and
the brilliant sun shone over All the
beautiful hills OF Mexico. No
cloud, not even speck Of fleeey
| yapor, cast fitting shadow on the
lace of the clear, serene, crystal,
blue heavens. Nature seemed ia
lovely repose, while the ilert.e pas
slons of man were preparing TO en-
act one OF the Dloodiest tragedies of
modern history. Truly the DOOM
ed Emperor, as he gazed upon the
sunrise for the last time, exclaimed:
Upon SO lovely a day l have al
ways desired to die.n II was 6
O'Clock, and silence still reigned
over the city of Queretaro. The
troops, under command OF Gen.
tiscobedo, formed a short distance
from the city, where the execution
of the captive Emperor was 10 oc-
eur. Thousands poured out of
QuTetaro to the scene, all eager
to catch glimpse OF the disfin-
guished prisoners. Att O'Clock the
bells OF the city tolled. The sol-
emn chimes echoed against the
walls with deep and ominous
clang that sounded like the notes
of fate. 1t was the signal that the
prisoners had left their prison for
the last time, and deep silence fell
ON the expectant multitude as the
cortege containing the Emperor
and his hate Generals appeared.
The carriages in which they sat
were surrounded by strong guard.
Macmillan came first, Miramon
next, lastly Mejia. The carriages
stopped and the prisoners alighted.
while sObs burst from the crowd.
and there was not a dry eve i'm that
vast assemblage. The three DOOM
ed men were neither bound nor
blindfolded. The Emperor, in an
easy and graceful manner, made n
regal bow to the multitude, and.
with q light step, led the way 10
the fatal spot. The Emperor, like
the other prisoners, was attired In a
plain manner. He addressed the
crowd in clear voice and firm
manner, which partook not of bra
vado. He stated that when first
waited upon at home by deputa-
tion of Mexicans, who came with
credentials offering him the throne
of Mexico, he refused. Subsequent
ly the proposition was renewed.
He replied that, If convinced that
a majority thought it to their inter
est to place him at the head OF the
Government, he might consent.
Another deputatien brought him
additional testimony, and upon adj
vice of the powers OF Europe he had
accepted the call. Said the Empe-
ror: IL deny that the court which
tried me had the power to do so.
Mine has been case OF good faith.
The nations of the world have pledg-
cd their faith to me. / would never
have done the act had Il not been
for the good of Mexico. I hope
my blood will stop che effusion
Of blood In Mexico" MiramOn
read from a paper: The only re-
gret he felt at dying was that should
the Liberal party retain the Gov
ernment, his children would be
pointed out as those of a traitor.
He asserted he was no traitor, but
had always opposed Liberal princi-
pies as well as the disorders of the
country. AS he had lived, so
would he die-a Conservative. His
acts would live in history, and
would judge whether he
was right or wrong. He ended
with ViUe Jd Emperor! Pipe ta
lferico.
Mejia made no talk. Having,
however, sent for Escobedo, he told
that hypocritical Judas Iscariot
hat he would die poor; he had
never tried to make money. All
The riches he had consisted Of forty
.attle In the mountains. He said
ne owed a good deal to the mcr-
chants and business men of Mat
lmoras, but it was his request that
hey would not press his wife for
he payment Of his debts when she
lad come into possession of the
money left her by the kindness of
he Emperor Macmillan.
Gen. Miram0n ceased. There
vas murmur and buzz among
he crowd. The guard were drawn
up in line. The prisoners faced
hem. The Emperor called TO him
he sergeant. He then drew from
lis pocket a handful of 500 gold
pieces. Handing them to him he
that, after his death, the
money should be divided among
he sergeant's companions. In re-
urn the Emperor requested as a
avor that the sergeant would aim
lis bullet at his heart. a moment
4 deep and dreadful silence en-
ued. The officer was about to
i've the signal. The military fig
lres of the prisoners were erect,
notionless-nOt muscle quivering
their faces calm as though death
we're still far of. Macmillan, tho
entral figure, maintained to the
lst an imperial composure which
became that unfortunate
'rince. The soldiers pieces are .
lined. The word is given. Bangl
he Emperor, Mejia, MiramOn
ave fallen to the ground, on which.
ach lies stretched. MiramOn and 9
leila were killed at the first volley.
'our balls entered the breast Of I.
ach. The Emperor did not in-
tantly expire, though ne had fall
n unconscious. Five balls had
ierced his bosom. There were
Dme convulsive moments of tins
luscles and quivering of the flesh.
eeing this, two soldiers were or
cred to step from the ranks. They
ach aimed their pieces at the fall
n Emperor. Two more balls were :
snt into his PROSTATE body. Then
@ was still. The physician who
,as to embalm his body approach
1 and threw. a sheet over the face
T the dead monarch. The tfOops
sturned to their quarters, but the
Multitude for some time, and as II
y a supernatural instinct, remain
! rooted TO the spot. =.