Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-06-18


longing to a marching regiment, that
was quartered in the city of W, was
taken up for desertion, and being tried
by a court martial, was sentenced to be
shot. The colonel and lieutenant.cOl-
onel being both in London, the conf
mand of the regiment had developed in
course to the major, who was accounted
a very cruel and obdurate man. The
day of execution being come, the regi-
ment, as usual upon those occasions,
was drawn up to witness it; but when
everyone present who knew the custom
at these executions expected to see the
corporals cast lots for the ungracious
office, they were surprised to find it
fixed by the major upon the prisoners
own brother, who was also soldier in
the regiment and was at the moment
taking his last leave of the unfortunate
culprit.
On this inhuman order being an
nounced to the brothers, they fell down
upon their knees; the one snpplicated
in the most affecting terms that he
might be spared the horror of shedding
a brothers. blood, and the other brother
that he might receive his doom from
any other hand than his. But all tears
and supplication were in vain; the ma
ior was not to be moved.
He swore that the brother, and the
brother only, should be the man, that
the example might be the stronger, and
the execution the more horrible.
Several of the officers attempted to re.
monstrate with him, to no purpose.
The brother prepared to obey. The
prisoner, having gone through the usu-
al service with the minister, knelt down
at the place appointed to receive the
fatal shot. The major stood by; saw
the afflicted brother load his musket;
and this being done, ordered him to OBJ
serve the third signal with his cane,
and at that instant to do his office, and
despatch the prisoner.
But, behold when the major was
dealing his fatal signals for the prison.
er's death, at the last motion of his cane,
the soldier, as if inspired by some su-
perior power, suddenly turned about,
and shot the tyrant in moment
through the heart!
Then, throwing down his piece, he
exclaimed, "He that can show no mer-
cy, no mercy let him receive! l had
rather die this hour for his death than
live a hundred years, and give my
brother his!"
Nobody seemed to be sorry at this un-
expected event, and some of the chief
citizens, who came to see the execution,
and were witnesses of all that passed,
prevailed with the next commanding
officer to carry both the brothers back
to prison, and not to execute the first
prisoner until further orders, promis-
ing to indemnify him for the consequent
ces as far as their whole interest could
possibly 60 with the Queen.
This request being complied with, the
city corporation that very night drew
up most pathetic and moving address
to their sovereign, humbly setting forth
the cruelty of the deceased, and pray
ing her Majesty's clemency towards
both the prisoners.
The Queen, upon the perusal Of this
petition, which was presented to her
Majesty by one of the city representa-
tives, was pleased to promise that she
would inquire little further into the
matter.
On doing so, she found the truth Of
the petition confirmed in all its partic-
ulars, and was graciously pleased to
pardon both of the offending brothers,
and discharge them from her service.
For which good mercy she received
very grateful and most dutiful address
of thanks from her loyal city.