The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-08-21
CAPT. WEBSTER AGAIN.
III. Execution, and Who He Really Was.

His Execution, and Who lie Really Was.
EDITOR NATIoNAL Tribune: A former let
ter of mine, published in your valuable and
largely circulated paper, brought interesting
letters from tho Captains relatives. and also
from those who were confined in Castle Thun-
der, shared his very close and intimate friend
ship, witnessed his execution, and were with
him during his last moments on EARTH which
bore new and fresh testimony to his patriotism
and fidelity to the cause for which he died.
As his military career has been so fully de-
scribed in your columns, shall pass that by
in this communication. In December 1862 we
find him confined In Castle Thunder, charged
with various crimes and the killing of Capt.
Simpson, q rebel recruiting officer, after he had
surrendered As Comrade Beatty has so sue
cessfully refuted this charge In your paper of
July II, 1890, will also pass that by.
The official records of the War Department
Of tho Confedoracy say he was captured in
Loudoun County in November, 1862. The
same records tell us he was hung as a scout,
April 10, 1863.
Capt Webster was handcufFed, and kept on
the second story of Castle Thunder. Capt.
Bensinger, of Andrewss Raiders (now of Nc
Comb, Ohio, WHO was charged with the horrible
crime of being ono Of % men who captured
the train at Big Shanty, made bone key and
unlocked Websters handouts; and while the
prisoners of Room No. 9 were let out to go to
tho ground floor for water, they hustled the
Captain to the basement and covered him over
with tobacco stems, the object being for him to
remain there until dark; and as there were
but two guards on that floor, and as the Cap
tain was as strong as u lion and rs quick rs IA
cat he could have knocked them down aud
made good his escape
AS soon MS the prisoners returned to their
room, Webster was missed and n search insti-
tuted immediately. When he was found, Capt.
Gephart and four guards heavily handcu1ed
him and brought in blacksmith to put letters
on his legs. When Webster saw this. he told
them he would not submit to such Cowardly
barOaTism.
At this juncture Capt. Gephart leveled his
revolver at Webster and threatened to shoot
If he did not submit. Webster replied that
he was "A - coward, and dare not shoot, and
If they would take his handouts off, he would
lick the whole pile Of them, His fellow prs-
soners, who saw il was useless TO resist, pro-
vailed on him to submit. When the shacklcs
were on his legs he could step but 10 inches
In fcw days he managed To slip his handouts
and break his fetters, and jumped ont of the
third story window and broke both legs, and
crawled TO a lumber yard, where he was again
rccapturcd and taken back and placed in a
dungeon. heavily handcuiled and letters placed
on his ankles, both being broken Mt the time.
In this condition no was hauled out for an
alleged court-marta which was u farce from
brought back aud placed in the dungeon again,
where he remained until ho was hung
On tho 10th of April, 1868, no was taken out
for execution, aud as he could not walk he was
placed in carriage with two detective officers
New aud Capt. dephart and escorted by Maj
Mems ieniic County Dragons. On arrival
at Camp Lee, Col g. w. Alexander, command
ant OF Castle Thunder, read the bogus decision
of the bogus court martial and he was carried
TO the scatiold by two soldiers aud placed on
chair. and the rope placed around his neck. He
WIS then allowed an opportunity to make a few
brief remarks, which he did lie affirmed his
innocence % the lastaud declared willingness
to die for the dag he loved SO dearly. liz do
nounced the Southern Copfederacy and all
rebels generally, and JEFF Davis, Capt. Gephart
and Col Alexander in particular. The cap
was placed over bis face, aud he was asked TO
drop his hat when he was ready. lie hesitated
second and gave his slonch cavalry hat toss
amongst his fellow prisoners who were marched
out to witness his execution. The drop fell :;
Webster died, and the United States lost "a true
aud brave hearted defender. His body was
consigned to mother earth aud his spirit re-
turned TO his God who gave H. and to-day all
that is mortal lies sleeping in tho National
Cemetery at Richmond, and the flag that he so
brayely gave his life for proudly floats over
him, aud his dust enrchcs the magnolia which
watts its fragrance like incense to the Most
High.
Now, as to his true name. Comradc Beatty is
correct. His name was Charles Brown. His
father Samuel Brown, was malignant Copper
head Charles, when ho .eniistod. took his
mothers name, Webster. She was n relative of
Daniel Webster, the great Senator aud orator
Of Massachusetts, Charles was born in New
Hampshire and bis veins were respendcut with
that Puritauica blood which possessed the
Staging qualities" The soldiers that Com.
rade Beatty speaks about recognizing him at
Point Of Rocks belonged 10 the 10th Me-, and
were townsmen OF Charles Brown, who was
better known "a Capt. Wcbster.-BRIsCoE
GoopHEAuT, Co, A, Loudoun Rangers, Knox
willie Tenn