Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-03-20
miscellaneous.
ITO BE SHOT AT SIX

ITO BE SHOT AT SIX"
A terrible example has been made ia
Tonquin One Of the special correspond.
ents attached to the expedition now il
the field, was Camille Farcy, well-knowu
as a brilliant writer. lie had long been
connected with liz France, one Of the
leading journals. The army which he
was detailed to accompany was that Of
Gen. Forgemol. The officer is u marti-
net and entertains the most rigid ideas
regarding discipline. Before tho expc.
dictionary force landed he, in conjunction
with Vincendon. concocted the follow
ing pledge, which all the journalists were
obliged to sign;
|, - -, promise upon my honor
to transmit no information whatever,
either by telegraph or by mail, or by
any other means, without first having
submitted my manuscript to the exami-
nation of the officer commanding the
expedition, or to such officer or officers as
he may delegate that power to- further
agree that any failure to keep this pledge
will expose me to the rigors of martial
law
This document was signed by all the
correspondents attached to the expedi-
ton. When Farcy's turn came he took
the pen, but it was with evident reluc.
lance that he signed When he had
done so he said to Forgemol;
General, | sign this document only
because | am forced to do so, because
without doing so could not fulfill my
duty as correspondent; because with
out so | could not accompany the expe-
dition. But | warn you, sir, that |
shall speak the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth touching such
matters as may come under observation. -
And with defiant glance at the general,
Camille withdrew.
"Thc old general gnawed bis grizzled
mustachc to conceal his wrath. IIe did
what perhaps most men would have
done--ho set a spy to dog the footsteps
Of Farcy.
The expodient was successful. Two
evenings after the spy detected the jour
nalist, under disguise, quitting the
camp. lie followed and saw him de-
post large envelope in one Of the
minor postoAiccs upon tho frontier. He
was arrested and conducted TO Forge.
moPs headquarters.
"Aha!' said the general Eat il al.
ready my fine fellow Well, what have
we here I" aud be seized and broke open
the envelope. "lium--addrcssed to In
France. Evidently some correspond
ence which you were sending without
my knowledge"
ayes, General, said Farcy, calmly.
Let ms see what ii Is, said Forge
mol, as he began TO porusc tho letter.
General" said Farcy, collly, per-
init me to remind you tina. you are vio-
lating private correspondence.
Private correspondence? Bah y re.
tcrtcd Forgemol VERY private, in.
deed all Paris would know It in an
other day." aud he resumed his reading.
There were some severe structures in
the letter upon the conduct Of the cam
paign. Forgemors reading was inter-
rupted by oaths, and when he finished
he was purple with wrath.
$50" said he grimly, "you consider
yourself competent to Judge Of the OPP
eratioas Of a general in the field do you
Well, sir, you shall have taste of mar
tial law 10 add TO your knowledge Of
military affairs"
Farcy disdaincd to defend himself -
A court-martial was Immediately con-
yened. It's proceedings were summary
its sentence short: "Camille Farcy is
condemned to be shot at six in the morn
ing"
It was then midnight The doomed
man was placed in charge Of a lieuten-
ant and squad Of soldiers, put upon a
special train and was borne swiftly to
the capital city, where the execution
was to take place.
AT $50 o'clock the train dashed into
the city. II passed under the walls
where Albert Grevy, the governor
general, lives in state. The windows
were brightly lighted and the strains Of
q waltz were borne 10 the ears Of the
prisoner. The governor was giving a
ball
"You have half an hour in which "a
prepare for DEATH said the lieutenant.
compassionately; would you like 10
have INC send for priest?"
II suppose said Farcy, "you will
grant my last request"
yes"
Then le. nc go to the ball. | would
like to have a waltz before die"
The officer bowed and repaired TO NJ
Crews palace.
ellis request shall be granted" said
the Presidents brother "Who could
refuse dying mans request? Bring
him here, he shall dance with my own
daughter "
And II was done. The last moments
Of his life were spont upon ballroom
floor
At six o'clock tho officer spoke
"Thc file is waiting" said he.
LET NJ CO. said Farcy. He salute,
the dancers and withdrew. When b,
reached the ground where the Clio wa
awaiting him. he refused 10 allow Al