British Miner and General Newsman : — 1863-01-24 (London, England)

EXECUTION OF THE INDIANS.  A Minnesota paper, giving an account of the execution, states that it was limited to such as had been guilty of murder or rape. Most of the condemned freely admitted having been engaged in  the several battles, but denied the charge of having "wantonly and wickedly" murdered white people. On the morning of the execution, they shook hands with the officers who came in among them, bidding them good-bye as if they were going on a long and pleasant journey. They had added some fresh streaks of vermilion and ultramarine to their countenances, as their fancy suggested, evidently intending to trick themselves off as gaily as possible. They commenced singing their death-song. White Dog requested that he might not be pinioned, and said he could keep his hands down, but of course his request could not be complied with. After all were properly fastened they stood up in a row around the room. and another exciting death-song was sung. Father Ravoux came in, and, after addressing them a few moments, knelt in prayer, reading from a prayer-book in the Dakota language, which a portion of the condemned repeated after him. The caps were then put on their heads; they only came down to the forehead, and allowed their painted faces yet to be seen. They bore this with evident dislike and shame. Chains and cords had not moved them—their wear was not considered dishonourable, but this covering of the head with a white cap was humiliating. There was no more singing, and but little conversation and smoking now. All sat around the room, most of them in a crouched position, awaiting their doom in silence, or listening to the remarks of Father Ravoux, who still acrdressed them. Once in a while they brought their small looking-glasses before their faces, to see that their countenances yet preserved the proper modicum of paint. Precisely at 10 o'clock they were 'marshalled into a procession, and marched out across the streets through files of soldiers to the scaffold. They went eagerly and cheerfully, even crowding and jostling each other to be ahead, just like a lot of hungry boarders running to dinner in a hotel. As they commenced the ascent of the scaffold the death-song was again started, and when they had all got up the noise they made was truly hideous. It seemed as if Pandemonium had broken -loose. It had a wonderful effect in keeping up their courage. One young fellow, who had been given a cigar by one of the reporters, just before marching from their quarters, was smoking it on the stand, puffing away very coolly during the intervals of the hideous Hi-yi-yi," "Hi-yi-yi," and even after the cap was drawn over his face he managed to get It up over his mouth and smoke. Another was smoking his pipe. The gallows was 24 feet square, and was so arranged as to afford room for ten Indians on each aide. "Three slow, measured, and distinct beats on the drum, and the rope was cut, the scaffold fell, and thirty-seven lifeless bodies were left dangling between heaven and earth. One of the ropes was broken, and the body of Rattling Runner fell to the ground. The neck had probably been broken, as but little signs of life were observed, but he was immediately hung up again. While the signal beat was being given, numbers were seen to clasp the hands of their neighbours, which in several instances continued to be clasped till the bodies were cut down. As the platform fell, there was one, not loud, but prolonged cheer from the soldiery and citizens who were spectators, and then all were quiet and earnest witnesses of the scene. For so many there was but little suffering; the necks of all, or nearly all, were evidently dislocated by the fall, and the after struggle was slight. They were all deposited in one grave, 30 feet in length by 12 in width, and four feet deep, being laid on the bottom in two rows, with their feet together and their heads to the outside. They were simply covered with their blankets and the earth thrown over them.  the 19th instant. A great concourse was present at the ceremony. Ismail Pasha has taken possession of the Citadel, and received the authorities. Public opinion is very favourable to the new Viceroy. All the foreign Consuls and the Turkish authorities have arrived here from Alexandria. They were immediately received by Ismail Pasha.