The National tribune., 1897-07-29
CHAPTER x.

Taken to Atlanta Again-Last Advice and
Counsel from Andrews-Arrival at Allan
ta-Terrible Tragedy Contaminated.
Wollam Observation-Disclosures Woods Seri-
Gus Sickness-Pinching OF Hunger-Arri-
val OF Our 10 Comrades from Knoxville.
Preparing Seven OF Our Comrades for the
Gallows.
A ecaffold had already been erected, In
Chattanooga for the execution of Andrews
but very early on the morning of the day
for his execution we were all taken TO the
depot and put on the cars for Atlanta. Why
this change was SO suddenly made in the
program l have never been able TO dis
cover / have two theories. One is, that
the Mayor and bloodthirsty populace of At
lanta who had come SO near mobblng US,
desired to have Andrews and the rest OF our
party hung in that city, that our blood
might, in some manner, appease their bitter
wrath / have heard that the Mayor for
mally made such request, and have no
reason 10 doubt il, from what 1 subse-
quently learned.
Again, il will be remembered that VOL
lam, VINO broke jai with Andrews, was still
at large at the time of which 1 am speaking,
and tor all the rebels knew ne might have
arrived safely in Gen. Mitchel's lines, and
that officer might, at any time, make dash
on Chattanooga and save Andrews's life. 1t
is barely possible, though l think hardly
probable. under all tie circumstances, that
this last was the cause of our sudden removal.
We were at a loss to know what this move 10
Atlanta meant, bui it was not worth our
while TO ask questions.
We were soon whirlng along on that
same, 10 us, accused rail. Dad, Tor it brought
no pleasant memories 10 us. At each town
we were, as before, treated to a deluge OF
curses taunts, and epithets. Andrews was
reminded and iaunted at every station OF
his ap. reaching doom.
While We were Oh the cars Andrews, who
WAS not chained 10 any other prisoner, and
who sal in the next seat TO me, requested
me 10 20 into the water-closet aud leave The
window mp as high as possible. Shortly
after, Wood and /, who were chained to-
gether, went to the closet, and / did my
best TO open the window high enough for a
mans body. but the shutter was SO arranged
that it could not he raised above six inches.
Andrews received the information with a
look OF sad disappointment. 1t was his last
hope. He did not expect TO escape. He
would have thrown himself, with his chains
on, from the window wien the train was in
full motion, and IL would have saved them
ali flu ther trouble with him.
ANDREWS is EXECUTED.
On reaching Atlanta we were conducted
to hall or second story room, not far from
the depot. where we sat down on some
benches. We had been here bat short
time when body of soldiers, in charge oil
several officers, marched up into the build
ing. One of the officers walking up Ia
Andrews, informed him that the hour for
his execution had come, and asked him IL
he was ready. Andrews replied that he was
only asking the privilege of bidding his
comrades farewell.
We'll, then, be quick about it." was the
unieellng reply; :" for We have no time to
fool away here"
The brave man rose mp, and, approaching
each Of us, shook hands and babe US a last
farewell. But few OF the men could give
utterance to a syllable. After this, tho
doomed man turned and walked away with
the officer, and to this day can hear tn,
tlink, clink, clink of those dreadful chain,
and clogs as step by step he descended thu
stairs We never saw the noble face anC
manly form of our leader again.
TIE reader can better imagine than car
Tell the sorrowful, Respondent feelings o
pur little band. We did not speak words o
borrow- We did not complain. nor did VIZ
shed tears. We had passed that: vet, SC
bad cid we feel for the departed that tn,
terrible silence seemed like spell kept
sacred to his memory.
Soon after we were ordered down and con
Quoted to the Jail of the city, where we wer,
put IN iron cages for safe keeping The
guards who came in at ration time in tn,
evening told us that the tragedy has beer
cons animated; that Andrews died like ;
brave man. His calmness and noble, mani,
demeanor shamed even the clamorous mol
who were spectators. The limb on which
he Was hung was SO low that his toes touched
the ground, and in this way they kept hin
strangllng for a long time until at last some
one took q shovel and mercfully removed
the EARTH hen he soon after expired. Tn,
murder was complete
Thus did j. j. Andrews die the ignomin
ions death OF spy-as noble, as true. al
brave man as ever lifted a hand In defens,
OF our starry flag. He was 30 years of age
in tho prime and yigor of young manhood
She who now would have been a happy vii,
in the love of such noble, chivalrous man
was left in sorrow and mourning for on,
whose last moments she could not comfor
by her presence, and whose last resting plac,
she should never know.