The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1904-03-10


One would think that, however vio-
lent members of an antagonistio race
may have been in their fury against
him that he might have looked for
protection from Trowbridge. the col.
onel OF the regiment, who passed for
white man. On the contrary, the
only mercy shown him was from a
negro subordinate officer who, willing
to save noble life, urged the prisoner
to take back what he had said and
deny that he was the one who had
wounded the soldier. But Crozier
stoutly refused to recant, saying,
Loose me and I will show You
whether / am the man or not
Higher officers were appealed to in
vain to save him. On being question
ed by Col. Trowbridge he aoknowledg-
ed the decd, explaining that he acted
from sense Of duty and boldly de-
clarirg. II would do 1T again. In
answer to which he was told that
the act would cost him his life.
In short, Crozier was promptly con-
demned to death without even the
form of trial and was not allowed
communication with any citizen
while awaiting his doom About
daylight on the following morning
Friday, September 8. the regiment
was drawn up in line of march.
Slow drum beats marked off the re-
naming moments of the prisoner 8 life
while he was being led a few yards
from the camp, He was halted on the
brink of shallow hole, freshly dug
in the earth, and ordered to kneel.
There was flash of guns in the
murKy dawn and the martyred Gro
zir fell lifeless. A reliable citizen,
who had ventured near to watch the
tragedy, saw the demoniacal troops
throw the still warm body into the
hole, then jump upon it, dancing and
stamping with their heels to press it
into the insufficient grave.
The SSrd colored troops Immediately
moved off some distance down the
railroad to await the train. Their
degraded leader, Trowbridge, was
afterwards heard to declare that he
took all the responsibility of the kill.
ing on himself. There let it and the
shame of it forever rest.
During Friday morning the good
people of Newberry visited the fatal
spot where Calvin Crozier had been
murdered. His honored remains were
taken up and an inquest was held by
Silas Johnstone, intendant, acting
coroner, in which much testimony
was taken that elicited the facts above
stated. The body was then reverent-
ly cofined and laid to rest in the old
cemetery of the town, attended by 8
large concourse of the best citizens Of
Newberry.
In 1890 movement was started by
the editor of the Newberry Observer
to erect a monument to Crozier' 8
memory. Three hundred dollars was
quickly subscribed, and in 1891 the
hero's body was removed to "Rose-
mont" Cemetery, in Newberry, where
his noble self sacrifice was recorded
upon marble shaft ten feet, five
inches in height, resting on high
base of Newberry granite.
On the front face of the column is
the 'Lone Star of Texas" Beneath
it is inscribed:
Calvin S. Crozier,
born at
Brandon, Mississippi,
August, 1910,
Murdered
At NewberIy, S. c.,
September 8, 1865.
On the north side is the verse.
REST on, embalmed and sainted dead,
Dear as the blood you gave;
No impious footsteps here shall tread
The hsrbage Of your grave.
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her record keep,
Or honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps
On the remaining sides Of the shaft