The National tribune., 1882-12-14
PRISON EXPERIENCES,
Little Red Cap Describes the Hanging
of the AnderSOnVille Raiders.
Continued from last .CesE.

Continued from last .reeE.
Although no authoritative announcement
had been made from headquarters that the
six raiders under sentence of death would
be executed in accordance with the findings
Of the court-martial it was pretty well un-
derstOOd among the prisoners that they
would not escape the punishment which they
deserved, and there was much speculation as to
the place that would be selected for the hang
ing. Some were of the opinion that any at
tempt to execute them within the stOckade
would be sure to arouse the ire of their COM
rades and result in another desperate conflict
between the raiders and regulators. The camp
was by no means convinced that the raiders
had been permanently suppressed, and even the
regulators evinced some concern on the subject.
Five or six thousand fresh prisoners had lately
arrived, and it was rumored that some of them
were disposed to turn in and re-enforce the
raiders. Sergeant Key and his associates kept
their own counsel, however, and adhered to
their determination to carry out the sentence
of the court if it should be within their power
to do SO. During this eventful epoch in the
history of AndersOnville | spent several hours
OF each day at headquarters and was in posi-
tion therefore, to learn what was going on
outside as well as within the stockade, and |
found that the approaching execution was the
theme of as much discussion among the con-
federates as among the prisoners. The findings
Of the cOurt-martial had been laid before Gen
eral Winder for his approval or rejection very
shortly after the rendering of the verdict, but
hekept the matter under advisement for sew
eral days, and even old Wirz did not seem to
know whether or not the regulators would be
permitted to carry out the sentence. On the
morning Of the 11th of July however when l
rode over to headquarters, found everybody
in great state of excitement, and learned that
the verdict of the court had been returned
approved and preparations were being made
for the execution of the raiders that very even
ing. The doomed men had heen confined by
Wirz's orders, in the stocks Just above the
south gate of the prison, and as | had become
acquainted with some OF their number during
my imprisonment, and in fact had known them
even before they were sent to Ander5onvillc |
determined to pay them visit l accordingly
went down to the stocks and found five of the
men sitting on the ground deeply engaged in a
game of cards. while thesixth, a powerful fellow,
whose name was Charles Curtis, was confined in
the Spread Eagle" as the stocks were called in
which a mans head, arms, and legs could be
piniOncd fast while he himself remained in a
sitting posture. Their demcanOr was such that
concluded they had not heard of the prepa-
rations for their execution and | said to them:
Boys, do you know that General Winder has
approved your sentence, and that you arc to be
executed about five o'clock this evening"" To
which Curtis, with a rather serious look re-
piled: "Well, it is hard if they are going to
allow those fellows to hang us" Patrick De-
laney also seemed to be considerably affected by
the news, but did not say much. l told them
that the load Of lumber which had just passed
through the gate was for the scatlold, and left
them talking the matter over.
ERECTING THE GALLows
Meanwhile Sergeant Key and his men. as
soon as informed of General Winder's action,
had gone TO work to prepare for the execution
Carpenters had been secured to build the gal
lows but owing to the threatening attitude of
the raiders who had been turned loose in the
stockade, it was found necessary to guard the
work closely. A company of regulators, armed
with clubs, was stationed at the scafiold. and
an escort had to be provided for the lumber
wagons. The raiders heaped all manner of
abuse upon the guards and threatened to be
revenged upon them at the first opportunity.
but despite their curses the work went steadily
on and by noon the scatfold had been COM
pleted. 1t was very simple in its construction.
1t consisted of a stout beam securely fastened
across the tops of two posts about fifteen feet
high On this platform of boards had been
laid, so arranged as to drop at the signal A
rude ladder furnished the only means of ascent
When everything was ready Sergeant Key ap-
pcared on the scene and with the balance of
the regulators formed hollow square about
the scatfold. Back of them at least ten thou
sand of the prisoners We're closely maSsed, while
twenty thousand more were wcdgcd together
on the north side of the enclosure. | remained
on the outside, watching every movement. Ii
was an intensely hot day. but shortly after
noon Wirz ordered n detachment OF guards 10
accompany him to the stocks for the purpose of
delivering the condemned to the regulators.
The confedcrates, on the occasion of the bat
tie between the raiders and the regulators. hal
taken every precaution TO guard against an
outbreak. The rebel infantry were in position
along the rne-pits with their pieces loaded
and trained, and the gunner of No. held the
lanyard in his hand ready to fire at the word
myself heard Wirz give orders for the artil-
lery to open fire in case of any unusual COM
motion within the stOckade. At the last mo-
mcnt | secured, i'll company with number of
paroled prisoners, a fine place of observation
on the roof of the cOok-house shed, although
we should have been directly in the line of fire
had the rebels opened on the stockadc. We
had an obstructcd view of the scaffold, where
Sergeant Key, with Timber jim, Dick McCuI-
Tough. together with Ned Johnson, Tom Lar
kin, Sergeant .Goody, and three others, who
were to offciate as hangmen and each of whom
was provided with a white meal-sack to serve
in place of the black cap usually used at execu-
tions was awaiting the arrival of the con-
demned.
DEATH ON THE PALE HORSE.
Key detailed two men to pull away the stays
from the platform at pre-arranged signal, and |
everything being now in readiness for the exc |
cuton, Wirz marched down to the stocks with |
his detachment of troops and notified the |
raiders that he was about to hand them over to |
the mercy of the regulators As each mans |
name was called he answered: Here, sir!" |
and promptly stepped into line with as much |
as if they had simply been Or
dered out on dress parade. The march to
the south gate was then taken up, and Wirz,