The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-02-02

Andrews had now but four days more
OF dungeon life between himself and eter-
nifty. Escape was impossible unless there
should be a rapid advance of the Federal
forces-a possibility which did come very
near being made a fact. He applied him
self TO the great business Of preparing to
die. Most unexpectedly a letter written
at this time and in some way carried
through the lines has come to hand, and
throws great light upon his character and
thoughts at this period. He managed in
some unknown manner to get writing ma
terial and wrote two or three letters.
One, no doubt, was written to his betrothed
in Flemingsburg, but never received.
Another was written to his mother in
Missouri. The contents of the latter can
only be given as they are remembered
after an interval of many years by one
who read the letter. He told his mother
that he was to die, and that all he re-
GREETED was that he had been able to do
so little for his country; that many other
sons had left their bones bleaching on
southern battle fields; that he had tried
to do his duty, and was now seeking the
pardon and favor OF God. There were
many other half remembered expressions
similar to those which are given in the
letter below.
The following communication addressed
to n trusted friend in Flemingsburg, KY,
and which from some references to
property in contains has been called "the
will OF Andrews" needs a word of ex-
PLANTATION. The gift bestowed upon Miss
Layton was OF trihing value, though most
pathetic mere empty trunk. But the
full Significance of this was no doubt
given, with probably more substantial
requests, in one or other of the missing
letters. This letter, which reached Flem-
ingsburg, KY, in August, two months
after IL was written, being mailed at
Louisvillc, is recorded in the Flemings-
burg book OF wills, while the original is
most carefully preserved. Andrews had
directed his friend to draw out his money
in the F1emingsburg handsome 81, 900,
with gold premium and interest-in case
he never returned, giving him a check for
that purpose, and to lend 1t on good Sc
curity, paying the interest as a perpetual
bequest to the town poor. The friend
was faithful to his trust, and though the
money was afterwards squandered in q
pitiful way and gave rise to vexatious
law suits yet this secured the careful
preservation OF the letter.
In oil probability Andrews wrote first
to his betrothed, giving those sad re-
membranes and requests which would
not be repeated in a letter to another, and
followed with this more general and
business like communication. The orig
inal is terribly misspelIed, far beyond the
ordinary misspelling of ignorant persons.
This is probably intentional, as few lines
at the first have no errors
CHATTANOOGA Tenn, June 5, 1862
u. S. McGavic, ESQ, Flemingsburg, KY:
DEAR SR-You will be doubtless surprised to
r from me from this place. and still more sur
.'ed to hear that am to be executed on the
9Th inst. for attempting to capture and q
train of cars from the Western and Atlantic rail-
road to Huntsville for the use OF Gen. Mitchell. I
had party OF twenty -one detailed men from the
Second, Twenty-first and Thirty third Ohio regi-
ments with me- We succeeded in getting posses
Of hat nd al Mi
eighty-f1ve miles, when, account Of an
extra train being on the road, we were compelled
to abandon the train, the party scattering and
trying TO make our way back on foot. The whole
party, however, were captured. was taken on
the 14tb OF April. ! am satisfied could very
easily have got away had they not put q pack OF
dogs on my trail. 1t impossible to elude
them. was tried by court martial and received
my sentence on the last day of May, Just one
week from the time set for my execution. On
Monday morning, June ?, made escape.
succeeded In getting out of the prison and run by
the guard, they shooting at me but not hitting
me. The whole country was Immediately
swarmed with soldiers. succeeded in
eludlng them till on Tuesday, about Q
O'Clock, when was recaptured and will
be executed on Saturday. The sentence seems
a hard one for the crime proven, but suppose
the court that tried me thought otherwise.
have now calmly submitted to my fate, and have
= been earnestly engaged in preparing to meet nv
God in peace, And have found that peace Of
mind and tranquility OF soul that even surprises
!
could feel so complete change under similar
circumstances. How / would like to have one
hours chat with you; but this shall never have
In this world, but hope and pray that may
meet In heaven where the troubles and trials Of
this life never enter. What the fate OF the bal
ance OF the party will be am unable TO say, but
hope they will not share the fate OF their leader
II they return, soSae two or three of them will
call on you and the rest OF the friends and hope
you will receive them kindly. They are noble
fellows, and will give you n whole history OF the
E-sa. Il.
will try 20 write to some two three more
before my execution. Tell J. b. Jackson should
there DO any little claims that neglected to.set
tie, 70 pay them, and keep the horse. done
think there are any, but there may be. In re
gard to other matters do exactly as Instructed
before left. wrote several letters but never
received any. Please read this letter to Mrs
Eckles, and tell her that have thought or hei
kindness many times, and that hope we may
meet in heaven, where we shall enjoy the pres
ence OF the Lord forever. Give my hndest re
CARDS TO Mr.. Eckles also. According to the courss
OF nature Il will not be long till we shall meet II
that happy country. Blessed thought Remem
Der me also TO the young ladies OF F1emingsburE
especially 70 Miss Kate wallingford and Mis-
Mamie Baxter Hoping may meet in tina
better country, bid you = long and last farewell
J. J. ANDREWS.
The following was added on the sam'
sheet:
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, June 5, 1852
D. s. McGavic Esq, ]. b. Jackson. Mrs. Sara
Eckles, FleminRsburg, Fleming county, Ky:
You win hnd one trunk and one black vAlise
the valise has my name in red letters on the end
the other had my name on paper pasted on IN
end; these are at the City hotel 1t Nashville, 4
care OF the old porter on the third floor Thess
with contents, present 70 YOU mr.. hawnns
you will ind At the Louisville hotel large LADY
trunk, no marx on IL and Is entirely empty
Please take II to Mr.. LindSey's, near Mill Cree
church. on the Maysville and Flemingsburg turn
pike, and request him to present IL to bis
-sen. n &c. .nA
J. J. ASDRKws.
This was proved and recorded as a wi
at Flemingsburg on the Sd and 10Th {
January, 1853 The money referred TO
the clause, ''do exactly as instructed b
fore left" was duly drawn from ban
and loaned for the benefit of the poorl
After writing these letters Andrews ha
but two DAYS to live. He watched for OF
portunities to send them by faithful han
through to the Federal lines. 1t was !
vain TO ask permission of the COnfedera'
authorities, as they had apparently trie
to keep everything relating to us from II
Federal forces.
The erection of the scaffold began
Chattanooga, but on the next day Il
movements of the Federals had become {
threatening as to produce quite panic |
Knoxville, suspending the court marti
there, and leading to the removal
everything which could be spared furth
south. On the 9th of June, the day b
fore that fixed for the execution, Gen.
Kirby Smith wrote no less than thirte'
dispatches from Knoxville in differs
directions, the general purport OF Whit
was that the enemy was advancing wi
overwhelming forces, and that Chatt
nooga would fall and East Tennessee ha
to be abandoned, and giving directions
lines OF retreat and for removing t
stores. OF course. to arrange for an eS
cution ON the 9TH, in the face OF an q
Yancing enemy, might have led to a We