The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-03-19

death. Although most of them had been Of
excellent moral character, yet they had no
firmly grounded religious hope. The near pros
pect Of eternity. into which they were thus to
be hurled without moments preparation,
was black and appalling Wilson had been
professed disbeliever in revelation, and many
time had argued with me for hours az time.
But in this awful moment he said to me,
"Pittenger. believe you are right now! oh,
try to be better prepared, when your turn
comes to die, than | ami" Then laying his
hand on my head, with q mutteFed God bless
you'll" we parted. | saw no more the one l
had loved and trusted as few others in the
world.
Shadrack was profane in speech and reckless
in action, but withal exceeding kindheartcd,
lovahle. and always merry. Now turning to
US with voice the forced calmness of which
was moro affecting than q wall Of agony, he
said. Boys, | am not prepared to meet my
Jesus" When asked by some OF u.s. in tears,
to trust in His mercy, and to think of heaven,
he answered. still in tones of thrilling calmncss,
I'll try! I'll try! But know am not pre-
pared"
Samuel Slavens, who vas man Of immense
strength and iron resolution. turned to his
friend Bufum, and could only articulate," Wife
-children-tell-" when utterance failed.
John Scott had been married only three days
before he came TO the army, and the thought Of
his young and s0rrowing wife nearly drove
him to despair He could only clasp his hands
In silent agony.
VIM. Campbell smiled grimly as we pressed
his bound hands, and said in response to our
declarations Yes. boys, this IS hard"
Marion Ross bore himself most firmly Of all.
He had been more gloomy and depressed than
any other member of the party previously, and
did not seem to share fully in our hopes. Now
his eyes beamed with unnatural light and
thorn ynE nnt n trnm in his yoieN a he said
in full, clear tones, Tell them at home, if any
of you should escape. that L died for my c0un-
try. and did not regret it,
These parting words occupied but moment,
and even then the officers standing in the door
seemed impatient To finish their horrible work! !!
In this manner the poor men wcro hurried
to their doom. Several of them, in passing,
had the privilege of shaking hands with our
comrades in the other room. Robinson though
too sick to walk, was dragged away with them.
Thus parted. The rough wagon, with
a w0od-rack for bed, drove off with our COM
rades, surrounded by cavalry. In about an
hour it came back, empty. The deed Of shame
was done.
Later in the evening the Provost Marshal came
to our door. and. in response to eager ques-
tons, informed us that our friends "had met
their fate as brave men should die every
where"
The next day we obtained from the guards,
who, in the absence of their officers, were al
ways willing to talk with u.s. full particulars
of the scyeniold murder.
When all had been mounted on the scaffold
Wilson asked permission to say few words,
which was granted, probably in the hope of
hearing some kind of q confession. II such
was the expectation, they were much disap-
pointed. 1t was strange scenc.-a dying
speech to a desperate audience, and under the
most terrible circumstances conceivable.
But Wilson was equal to the occasion. and
when he had once begun to speak, the force of
his words was such that the mob remained
silent, making no attempt to interrupt him.
Unterrfed by the near approach of death, he
spoke his mind freely. lie told the rebels
that they were all in the wrong; that he had
no hard feelings towards the Southern people
for what they were about to do, because they
had been duped by their leaders, and induced
by them to engage in tho work Of rebellion.
He also said that though he had been con-
demued a spy, yet he was none, and they
well knew it. He was only soldier i'll
the performance of the work he had been de-
tailed To do; that he did not regret to die for
his country, but only regretted the manner Of
his death. He concluded by assuring them in
prophetic words that they would yet live to re-
gret the part they had taken in this rebellion,
and would see the flag Of our country wave in
triumph over the very ground occupied By his
scailOld.
This address made deep impression on the
minds of all who listened, and often after
wards heard it spoken of in terms of deepest
admiration. When he ceased the signal was
given. and the traps fell!
Then followed Que of the disgusting exhibi-
tions which so often disgrace all kinds of pub
lie executions. Five only remained dangling
in the air Campbell and Slavens, being very
heavy. broke their ropes and fell to the ground
insensible. When they revived, they asked
and received q drink OF water. Then they re-
quested All hour to pray before entering the
future world. This most reasonable petition,
which would not have been denied to the most
hardened murderer under civilized rule, was
sternly denied as if they wished to do their
utmost to murder both soul aud body. AS soon
as the ropes conld be readjusted they were COM
PEELED to mount the scafold once more, and
were again turned Off.
To be continued.