Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-10-14
MAxIMILIAN's EXECUTION.
How the Emperor and Generals Miramop
and Mejia Met Their Fate.

and Mejia Met Their Fate.
The moment had come; each of the
condemned men mounted the car
riage which awaited them, and they
traversed the streets of Queretaro in
the midst of motley multitude, who,
respectful and afflicted, crowded round
on their passage; handkerchiets were
waved, and now and again sob would
reach the prisoners ears. The con-
demned men bowed on each side as
they recognized in the crowd many a
familiar face. Some minutes before
seven o'clock they arrived on the Cerro
de las Campanas, little more than
half a mile distant from the town;
here they descended from the carriage,
walked on foot halfway up the hill
called Cerro de las Campanas and
turned their backs against clump OF
cactus. The General in command OF
the troops, S. Gracia de Leon, caused
an order of the day to be read, making
it a penalty of death for any person
who should try to prevent the execu-
ton; and the prisoners were then given
leave to address the crowd. The sun
was by now high in the blue sky, glow
ing over the profound azure of the
lofty mountains and bathing the val
ley with an intense flood of light and
heat. The Cerro, like an immense rock
thrown in the valley, stood forth bare
and looking, green in places,
with patches of cactus and nopals; a
square of four thousand men surrounded
the base of the hill, with its regular
lines and its uniforms and bayonets
glittering in the sun. Outside the med
ley of the undulating crowd, toward
the east, appeared the lines of the white
houses of Queretaro, all nearly Gov
cred with foliage and surmounted with
numerous cupolas and crosses; in the
far distance the dim, blush outline o.
the Cordilleras. The officer in com
mand of the file of execution ap
preached Macmillan and asked hi
pardon for having to fulfill his duty
The Emperor distributed several pieces
of gold bearing his effigy to the sol
diers, recommending them not to ain
at his face. He then embraced Gen
erals Mejia and Miramon, and as thu
latter had placed himself on his right
he said to him aloud: Brave mel
should be respected by their Sovereign
to the brink of the grave. General
pass to the place of honor" MiramoI
stepped to the center. Then with ;
firm voice the Emperor addressed tn,
crowd "Mexicans! Men of my rae,
and origin are born either to make I
peoples happiness or to be martyrs. Coz
grant that my blood may lie the las
shed for the redemption of this un
happy country Long live MeXicon
Immediately General Miramon, at tn
top of his voice, as when he com
manded his troops on the battlefield
cried ''Mexicans! Before the cour!
martial my defenders only sought t
save my life. At the moment | ar
about to appear before my God | pre-
test against the name of traitor whic
they have thrown in my face to justif
my condemnation. Let this spot c
infamy be removed from my children
name, and God grant that my countr
may be happy. Long live Mexico!
General Malta raised his eyes towar
the heavens: Every holy mother, | be
seech thy Son to pardon me, as l pa
don those who are about to sacritic
me" A volley rang out from the fiji
of soldiers, and, amidst the cloud {
smoke, which slowly drifted ava,
Miximilian appeared writing convu
sively in a pool of blood, and groal
ing: Hay Hombre!' The coup de grn,
put him out ofhis agony.-PdriS Figar,