Year: 1861

i Ine VlcGm was nung AOr the murueI Vi
soldier. Twenty-four hours only elapseC
between the time of the murder and tn
execution of the murderer. Revenge that
dangerous element, which always presidei
at an execution. was plainly visible, as wa:
shown by the looks and expressions o
those more nearly interested in the affair


The murder was committed on the 3rd o.
October at O'Clock, and at the same houl
on the 4th of October, the criminal suffer
ed for his crime. On the morning aftel
the murder the Court Martial assembled
in all ''the pOmp and pride of glorious war,
embellished with all the pnraphernalia Of
an officers equipment. During the trial
the prisoner was immovable as statue,
evincing in his appearance want of hope
and preparation for the worst He re-
fused counsel, and abandoned all hope of
defence. The announcement of his sentence
produced no change, he preserved stOical
appearance to the very last.


When the hour of execution arrived, the
prisoner was brought to the gallows in a
heavy wagon, guarded by two files of sol
diers, who were laughing as gaily as they
would, had they been going to some place
of amusement During the forenoon the
sun had shone through clOudless sky,
but Just before this terrible scene Ras en-
acted, the heavens were draped with heavy
clouds, and the rain poured down in tor
rents, as if the God of justice was casting
a frown upon the Wiekedness of man
The wretched victim aseended the steps of
the gallows with q firm tread, and address
ed few words, with decided tone to the
crowd around the gallows. As the rope
was being adjust around his neck, the
crowd invOluntarily gave way, showing that
although they had been clamOrOus IN insis-
ting upon the enactment of this scene, yet
when the time come they had not the nerve
and silently fell back that they might not
witness the last agonies Of their victim
there was no struggle after the fatal drop
descended. The scene was sickening to the
extreme, and all of usas if moved by some
unknown iRpulse, at the same moment
turned and walked away in silence. I


This is one more testimony against the
safety and justice Of the death penalty.


Last Sunday we attended the Episcopal
church, q clergyman from PennsylEaDia
conducted the services. He studiously o.
nitted that part Of the service relating to
he President of United states. Whether
or not he is Yorshiper of the Southern
COnfederacyI could not judge, as there
was no alusion in the discourse, to the
unhappy troubles between the North and
he South; l cannot however, harmonize
his omission of the above passage, with
rue christianity. IF the Episcopal service
s worth anything, it is worth everything.
md one passage in the prayer book is as
'aered as another, and any person who
makes selections and omissions go as to
himself and his doctrines to
sensitive congregation is not true chris
ian. {,


There is no important war news from
his section. our Regiment is still separa-
ed. Gen. Rosencrange is receiving rein
5rsements every few days, Floyd is also
fresh troops. The two armies
Ire still within cannon range of each other.
There must be an engagement within a
week, or one of the armies retire, for it is
impossible for the two armies to re-
main in their present positions, for any
ength of time and avoid an engagement.
some general movement either forward or :
must be made soon in Western :
Virginia, as it is not advisable for the I
rOOps to go into winter quarters in the |
Mountains, snow has already been visible l
N their SUBMITS.


Yours truly, I


GEO. l. WOOD. Z