Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-04-10
THE JOHN BROWN RllD
some CLIPPINGS FROM OUR
OLD FILES Of 1853.
Thursday, December 8. 1859.
Continued from last week.
THE EXECUTION OF BROWN

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Continued from last week.
THE EXECUTION or BROWN
The great event of modern times hal
been enacted. and the Captain Genera
lof mad can murderers and blood thirsty
fanatical abolitionists, has paid the for
felt Of audacious fool-hardiness, ant
the majesty Of Southern rights hal
been justly asserted through an ignom
inious but deserved penalty.
We extract the following from tt.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dis
patch !: 4
The North can say not one Wort
against Virginia. The South has haG
an example Of true greatness and com
;manding moderation exhibited for hei
imitation. The honors already ours
have been increased, and the sons Of
the Old Dominion may shout aloud
anew for their loved State.
The last act in the drama of which
'0ld John Brown" bore the chief part
came off today in this place, viz: The
execution. The day opened beautifully.
The heavy clouds that hung along the
eastern sky reflected most splendidly
the rays of the rising sun. Very early
the roll the drum was heard in every
part of our town. and ere long columns
and squares of troops were seen NOV
ing through the streets. You could see
sentinels moving in their quiet watch
in almost every direction. The galIows
was erected soon after the rising Of the
sun. SO that long previous to the time
appointed for the hanging, everything
connected Herewith was in readiness.
On the southeastern skirts Of the viii
lege, lay field of about fifty acres,
making part of some elevated land IN
that quarter On the swell Of a small
hill towards the southern part of said
field was placed the scaffold A place
more appropriate could not have been
chosen. West and North lay Charles
Town IN full view. On the east and
south doomed up the Blue Ridge, from
whose recesses Brown had come down
like the bird of prey;y bouncing on its
victims, carrying carnage and death
before him. Toward the south and
west stretched away one of the most
beautiful districts of the far famed
Valley Of Virginia, while away on the
extreme west doomed the lofty North
Mountain.
/ visited the place of execution dur
ing the erection of the scaffoid, and wa
well paid for my trouble. Many things
conspired to render the scene intensely
interesting. In the woods, not far off,
and the fields adjoining, might be seen
the scouts, on foot or mounted. At in
tervals, around and within the large
field, the Sentinels were slowly moving
to and fro. their FURNISHED arms gleam-
ing in the light Of the morning sun.
The workmen were busy completing
the arrangement, of the gallows. All
around small white flags were flying
near the ground, designating the posi-
ton of the various bodies of troops,
and of the citizen spectato g. Several
prominent officers richly equipped were
riding to and fro on restless chargers.
rs f,F beg
Not drum was heard, nor a funeral
note,'
but slowly and silently they proceeded
to their various posts.
About o'clock, Col. Smith of the
Military Institute. appeared on the field
of execution. mounted and took charge
of the military arrangements. The
guards, even at that early hour. were
rounding the posts in the field, having
III their charge number of civilians
who had been led by curiosity to ap-
proach without the countersign. Soon
the elegant corps from Harrisonburg.
Capt. Gibbons, and the Alexandris
Rifles, Capt. Marye, entered, and sta.
tions were assigned to them as special
guard, to preserve order among the
anticipated crowd. They appeared az
lines of sentinels parallel with the fenc.
ing. In few moments the Cadet Bat.
tahon. under Majors Gillian and Jack.
son. marched slowly in and took posi-.
ton in front of the scaffold at the dis.
lance Of about 40 yards. The infantry
was fianked on either wing by a Howit.
ger detachment. This body Of troops
appeared to fine advantage. marching
with astonishing precision. whether
with or without music. They exhibit
in addition. power of endurance thai
makes the heaviest military duties
light. to them. They were uniformes
on this occasion in grey pants and re,
shirts and made beautiful display
The right and left wings Of the corp
4 of Cadets were occupied, respectfully
by Company A, of the First Regimen
Virginia Volunteers, under Captain FL
lot, and Company T, under Captain
Gary. Captain Ashby. of the Fauquie
Horse. mounted on his splendid whit
charger, acted as special patrol. 10 Sc
that the arrangements separating cit
zens and strangers were carried ont
His troops, scattered here and Their
around the field, presented with thei
| scarlet nnifornns 4 vargg I,is.f,,roe<,,,