The National tribune., 1897-08-05

hundred guerrillas, or bushwhacking cavalry,
who probably had never been near enough
TO the Federal lines to smell gunpowder or
blood. These rangers, or guerrilas dis
puted for the honor of becoming the mur-
derers. and finally u were selected by vote.
When the doomed men were on the scaffold,
in the presence OF that excited, jeerins mob,
George Wilson, who was game 10 The last,
and worthy better fate, asked permission
to say a few words. Out of curiosity, per-
haps, on their part, he was allowed to speak
HIS words, most likely, disappointed them !;
still, they listened, while one Of those p" ter
rible, thieving, cowardly Yankees" stood
ND there on that trap-door OF death and in
a calm, unfaltering voice spoke earnest
words of wisdom and warning to them.
His calmpess and deliberatioh and his clear
voice commanded their attention, and his
words seemed 10 awe the desperate blood
thirsty rabble into silence. He told them
that they were doing wrong In reselling
against their Government; that they had
been misguided by their leaders, and that
they would soon have cause TO regret the
course they were taking. He earnestly ad-
monished them that the old Union would
be restored and that the old Hsg weuld
again float over their city, He told them
that. although condemned as spy, yet he
was not spy and they we'll knew II. He
was only soldier performing duty for
which he had been detailed. He told them
, he did not fear nor regret to die, but only re-
GREETED the manner Of bis death
His words made a deep impression on the
crowd. Many of them evidently thought
that If the Yankee army Was all Of his mind
aud bravery the probabilities were that the
Union would be restored and the rebellion
sguelched.
END sooS CAME
When Wilson ceased speakin the signal
was given and the trap WIS sprung. Two
sf the men, Campbell and Slavens " ho were
very heavy, broke their ropes, and fell to
the ground insensible. When they came to
a little they asked fof water, and also re-
quested Httle time for prayer. The water
was given them and they were allowed to
live long enough to see the lteless bodies of
their comrades placed in cofiins, when they
were peremptorily ordered to reascend the
scaffoId, when the ropes were soon adjusted
and the two men again launched of, this
time into an unknown eternity.
Thus were these seven men murdered,
without warning, without friend to say a
last encouraging, sympathetic word, without
q spiritual adviser, yes, without the last
poor privilege sf = little time to offer up for
themselves an humble petition TO the
Throne Of Grace, for merciful Savior to
receive their souls. where suffering and sor-
row are AT an end. It seemed as If the
hsartless fiends sought to murder both body
and soul The blackest-heartcd criminal is
always allowed, in civilized nations, the
consolation OF spiritual advice and prayer
bat these, eur poor, unfortunate comrades,
who were guilty Of DO crime other than try
ing 10 serve their country, were sent before
their Creator without even SO much as the
privilege accorded common criminal
Yet these same un-Christian men-febels-
the leaders ia the Government and society
that thus brutally treated the soldiers OF
this great Government, are to-day seeking
place and power in the Nation they sought
| to destroy, and in doing which they teak a
hendish delight in hsAping the meet in
human tottures that their innate cruelty
could devise upon those who came to its de-
tense IN the hour of its danger. Was ever a
Government SO mercif1l and lenient to its
enemies2 / think there is no parallel to it
in history. l ask the readers pardon for
this depression.
We learned, also, that the rebel soldiers,
after the execution, spent the remainder OF
the day and evening in drunken revelry and