The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-05-24
AN EPISODE OF WAR.
Looking Death Itself In the Face.


day after the Spanish gunboat captured
our little steamer before we received a
hint of what fate had in store for US.
Then an officer entered, called on us to
pay strict attention, and announced that
we were to be taken out and shot On the
morrow. An hour later he returned to
explain that he was mistaken. The
gracious and merciful Spanish govern
ment would be satisfied with six lives
instead of thirty. eight. We had killed
six of the crew of the gunboat before
surrendering, and it was to be life for 8
life.
"Gentlemen, it will be by lot, of
course" he continued as he bowed and
smiled on every hand, "and I am hare to
oversee the drawing. See /! I have here
thirty two white beans and six black
ones. will put them in a cap, ant each
gentleman will step up and draw as his
name is called"
When he had announced that all were
to be shot. heard no lamenting, On
the contrary, men moved about saying
that it was what We had been expecting,
and that we would die like men. Lips
were compressed, but I did not see one
pale face. The new announcement
created something like panic. Only
six were to die. Thirty-two would be
sent to prison, but all would live 10 see
home and friends again. In sixty seconds
the face of every man was ghastly. In
two minutes all were trembling. Mild
eyed men glared about them like wild
beasts driven to bay, and there wers lips
which bled from the hard set teeth.
Gentlemen, my clerk will call the
roll, and you will draw the beans,' aaid
the officer, as he made ready. each
man must show his bean as he d.aws,
and those who draw black ones must
stand over by the windows. Now, chen,
are you ready ?"
The clerk could speak and write EI-
glish, and he had our names in alpha.
betical order. The first name called was
that of Anson, and he hesitsted few
seconds before advancing. Did any one
hope he would draw black bean? I
believe that every man of us hoped 80!
It would better our own chances. The
man walked slowly forward, made great
effort to control himself and made his
draw. 1t was white bean.
Anderson came next, and he drew his
death warrant, IS also did Bsgley. Then
twelve men drew white beans in success
nion. When it came my turn there we're
there three blacks and fourteen whites
still left in the cap. drew black.
That fact did not shock me, ss had
almost expected my ill luck from the
start, but it hurt me when the men almost
applauded. Only two blacks now to
thirteen whites The very next Enan
also drew black bean and there WAC
cheer. Only one to thirteen nowl
1t was singular fate which left chat
last black bean in the hat. Twelve
names were called off and twelve rnen
stepped up and drew, and all drew wLite.
It was the death warrant of the only man
who did not put his hand in the cap. AS
soon as the drawing was over the thirty
two fortunates shook hands and congrat-,
ulated each other, and smiled and laugh.
ed. That was only natural. After the
first ebullition of feeling they turned to
give US their heartfelt sympathies. We
we're not removed from the room. Taey
would come for US soon after daylight.
What were our feelings7 The first
sensation was that of man coming to
after fall which lad deprived him of
consciousness for minute. The next
was to doubt if We had not been asleep
and dreamed it all. After that one man
sat down in corner and sept. A second
lay at full length on the floor with bis
face to the wall. A third cursed and in-
Weighed and hoped for vengeance.
Within three CT four hours there camo
feeling of exultation. r believe taat
every man who goes to the gal!ows has
the same feeling. Islept we'll that night.
I WAS still sleeping when the soldiers
came to march the ak of US to the exc
cution ground. We shook hands all
around, but only here and there did Gre
of the men trust his voice to speak to US.
Those who were to live seemed most
affected. Their faces we're very pale,
and their lips quivered.
Two by two, with soldiers on every
side, we walked, with heads up, but had
no word for each other. There were
scores of citizens out to see us, but We
kept our eyes to the FROM. Halt We
have reached be grounds. I had
thought of the six of US standing in frcnt
of six new made graves, but there were
neither graves nor cofins. They stood
us with our backs to brick wall. I
noticed a hundred sores On that wall
and knew they had been made On just
such occssi DIS as this.
"GentlemeD, your eyes-the blind
fold !" said an officer az be came forward
with several men behind him.
The last thing l saw was platform of
twenty-four men forming up in front of
us-four to a man. For perhaps ten
seconds shrank at the thought of the
bullets striking me. For perhaps ten
more prayed that they would make sure
work of it. My hands touched the hands
of the men each aide of me, for We we've
not bound. I said, Good by" to each,
and they returned it, and I heard tie
others speaking last farewell word. I
heard the last man walk away when the
,,t r;o;ino bod hoan hl;p5or boord