Execution Of Ten Guerrillas

The correspondent of the St. Louis Republican at Macon City Mo., gives the following account of the recent execution of ten guerillas there:

“On the 25th, one hundred and forty-four of the Harris House prisoners were shipped by railroad to St. Louis for imprisonment during the war; and on the day following, Friday, ten of those left – the most depraved and dangerous of the gang – where shot as a punishment for their crimes, and as an example and warning to others of their kind that are still at large.  The ceremonies attending this execution were exceedingly impressive.  On the morning of the 26th, the condemned were separated from their comrades, and confined in a freight car on the Han[n]ibal and St. Jo Railroad, and were at the same time informed of the doom that awaited them.  They knew that they could not in reason hope for pardon, nor for anything in fact short of the punishment due for the triple crime of treason, perjury and murder.  Every man of them had for the third time had been captured while engaged in the business of robbery and assassination among his own neighbors.  All of them had twice, some of them three, and others had four times made solemn oath to bear faithful allegiance to the Federal government, to never take up arms in behalf of the traitors cause, but in all respects to deport themselves as true and loyal citizens of the United States, And every man of these ten traitors had perjured himself as often as he had subscribed to this oath, and at the same time his hands were red with repeated murders.

At 11 o’clock A. M., on Friday the procession was formed, and the silent multitudes civil and military, moved at the signal of the muffled drum toward the field of execution. – The executioners were detailed from the 23rd Missouri Infantry, and numbered sixty-six men.  They marched six abreast, with a prisoner in the rear of each file.  A hollow square, or rather parallelogram, was formed, on a slightly declining prairie, and a half mile south of the village.  The executioners formed the south line of the square, the balance of the Missouri Twenty-third on the east and west lines, and Merrill’s Horse the north.  The executioners were divided off into firing parties of six for each prisoner, leaving a reserve of six that were stationed a few paces in the rear, Gen. Merrill in the northeast angle of the square.  The firing parties formed a complete line, but were detached about two paces from each other.  Each prisoner was marched out ten paces in front, and immediately south of his six executioners.  This order having been completed, the prisoners were severally blinded with bandages of white cloth, and were then required to kneel for the terrible doom that awaited them.  After this time every tongue was silent, and nothing was more audible than the heart throbs of the deeply moved and sympathysing multitude.  Dr. Landis then stepped forward to address the Throne of Grace.  His prayer was the utterance of a pittying heart; brief, eloquent and impressive.  It was an earnest appeal for the pardoning mercy for those about to enter their Maker’s presenc[e].  Then followed the final scene of this imposing drama.  The prisoners remained k[n]eeling, while sixty muskets were pointed at their palpitating hearts.  What a fearful pause! And, O how brief!  The signal is given and the fatal volley is discharged.  Behold the awful change!  A moment since those ten men stood before us in the perfection of life.  Alas! what and where are they now?  Every lip is dumb! – every eye is dim! – every beam of intelligence is faded out forever!  What a swift exit from time to eternity!”

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2, there was a large hole in the upper left of the article and the end of the newspaper was torn off from the upper left to the lower right, and therefore the last quarter of the article was missing.  The same article appeared in The Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, October 11, 1862, p. 2, and I have used that article to reconstruct The Union Sentinel article.

Welland Canal

St. Catharine, C. W., April 9. – The Welland Canal will be opened for navigation on the 15th inst.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 10, 1862

The South Tier Democrat charges . . .

. . . that we have tampered with and bought up the Express Agents to induce them to keep back the Hawk-Eye for the benefit of the Gate City. And the Hawk-Eye and Constitution circulate the charge, thereby striving to convey the impression to their readers that the Express Agents are scoundrels and we are knavish enough to by their services.

Why the editors of those papers should be so willing to give circulation to such calumnious accusations the public must judge for themselves. All we have to say in response is that we have found the Express Agents gentlemanly in their conduct and honorable in their dealings with us, and do not believe them the kind of men that these papers make them out. We have never employed them to carry the Gate City, and that fact alone knocks the bottom out of the preposterous charge. – { Gate City.

Why the Gate should make an association of the character of the above, we are at a loss to determine. We copied the articles of the South Tier Democrat, but exculpated Express Messengers from blame, and as the only way we could solve the matter, presumed there was a mistake. We have never blamed either the American or United States Companies, or any of their messengers, and so stated, in the remarks appended to the Democrat’s article. The Gate is very thin skinned or it would not harp upon this matter.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 10, 1862

Snow

Philadelphia, April 10. – Twelve inches of snow fell last night, but it is rapidly disappearing under the sunshine.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862

We have sent our old friend Roger Hanson . . .

. . . a five-gallon demijohn of good whiskey. Roger is still a zealous rebel, and he will soon be recruiting in Fort Warren. – {Louisville Journal.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 9, 1862

OFFICIAL

LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES

Passed at the Second Session of the Thirty-Seventh Congress

{Public Resolution – No. 25}

Joint Resolution declaring that the United States ought to co-operate with, affording pecuniary aid to any State which may adopt the gradual abolishment of slavery.

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the United States ought to co-operate with any state which may adopt the gradual abolishment of slavery, giving to such State pecuniary aid, to be used by such State in is discretion, to compensate for the inconveniences, public and private, produced by such change of system.

Approved, April 10, 1862


{Public Resolution – No. 26}

Joint Resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to test plans and materials for rendering ships and floating batteries invulnerable.

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Navy be and hereby is authorize to expend, out of any money in the Treasure not otherwise appropriated, a sum not to exceed twenty five thousand dollars, for the purpose of testing plans and materials for rendering ships or floating batteries invulnerable.

Approved, April 10, 1862

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862

The Quaker gun question is settled.

Rev. H. Mattison of New York says he counted eleven of them in the Centerville fortifications, and has shipped one of them to New York.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 9, 1862

The overwhelming Democratic victory . . .

. . . in the Republican city of Chicago is a good joke on the Chicago Tribune. That paper has spread itself beyond all precedent. It has run the Government, commanded the Army and Navy, looked after Foreign affairs, and hen had time to intervene not only in the affairs of all the Western States, but even in the domestic affairs of counties and towns. Newspapers, as well as individuals, who charge themselves with so much public business, most always neglect their own affairs. The tribune, aside from its offensive oracular tone has been unscrupulous, corrupt, rotten. False to principle, to friends and to party, and true only to its selfish ends and supercilious and dogmatic instincts. The republicans of Chicago ought to establish a respectable, reliable Republican Newspaper and throw the Tribune overboard as soon as possible.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862 and also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Special Notices

CONFESSIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF AN INVALID. – Published for the benefit and as a warning and a caution to young men who suffer from Nervous Debility, Premature Decay, &c.; supplying at the same time the means of Self Cure. By one who has cured himself after being put to great expense through medical imposition and quackery. By enclosing a post-paid addressed envelope, SINGLE COPIES may be had of the author NATHANIEL MAYFAIR, Esq., Bedford, Kings Co., N.Y.

march14-d&wly

*~*~*~*~*

BIBLE SOCIETY DEPOSITORY. – At the store of Mr. W. W. Harper, Jefferson street, Burlington, where English, German, Swedish and Welch Bibles and Testaments may always be found at one price.

nov6.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 10, 1862

Fires

St. Louis, April 9. – The wooden ware factory of Tanner & Merier burned last night. Loss fifty thousand dollars, insured fifteen thousand.

The distillery of Wonderly, Haydell & Co., at Carlonsville, Ills., with five hundred barrels of whiskey, burned on Monday morning. Loss on building and machinery thirty-five thousand dollars. No insurance.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 10, 1862

Fire

Circleville, Ohio, April 11. – A fire broke out this morning in the Circleville Woolen Factory. The engine and dye house were entirely destroyed, but the main building was saved with but slight damage.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 12, 1862

Serious and Perhaps Fatal Accident

Last Saturday evening, a girl named Mary Kelly; about 15 years of age, living in the family of Mr. George L. Carmen, met with an accident which is more than likely to cost her her life. She was making a fire in the kitchen stove, and finding it slow to burn, she got the fluid can and poured a part of the contents on the fire. The can contained a mixture of kerosene and burning fluid, the latter put in by mistake. As soon as the fluid touched the fire the flames shot up and set fire to the liquid in the can tearing it to pieces. The girl’s clothes caught fire and were burnt off her while her body and limbs were badly burned. Dr. Adler was at once called in and dressed the wounds, but little hope, however, was entertained of her recovery yesterday afternoon. – Davenport Gazette

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April, 12, 1862

Latest via the Hibernia

London, March 28. – Cyrus W. Field has returned from Paris. He leaves on the 29th for America by the Asia. He has been very favorably received. The laying down of the cable to Newfoundland within twelve months is considered certain.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 10, 1862

Death From Hydrophobia

Mr. Elias Fiddler, of this place, who as bitten by a rabid dog on the 22d of February, died of hydrophobia on Monday, the 7th inst., having, during the three days previous to his death, past thru the various stages of that dreadful disease. Mr. F. was by birth a German, and for several years a resident of this place. Though a painter by trade he has for two or three years past kept a saloon on the south side of the square. He leaves a wife and several children. – Oskaloosa Herald

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862

Sailing of Steamer

New York, April 9. – The Cunard steamer China left this port to day for Liverpool, with & 621,000 in specie and a large number of passengers. Among who was Russell, of the London Times, who has passed a year in the United States.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 10, 1862

{Special to Herald}

Manassas, April 10.– The country between Manassas and Warrenton has been effectually cleared of rebels.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 12, 1862

National Cemetery

WASHINGTON, April 13. – The Military Committee of the House have a report ready to establishing a National Cemetery in the District of Columbia.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday April 15, 1862 & also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

It may not be amiss to suggest . . .

. . . to the good people of Burlington and surrounding country that wounded Iowa soldiers by the hundred, perhaps by the thousand, are in hospital at Cairo, Mound City, and on the Tennessee river – that they need hospital stores, sheets and pillow slips, shirts, bandages, towels, eggs, butter, [wines], jellies and a hundred other things that are abundant here, but very scarce and impossible to procure there – that these things, with good nursing, are necessary to save the lives of many of these noble men. While we have abundance – while we are living in peace and comfort here, let us not see those who are fighting our battles languish and die in dreary hospitals when we can help them at so trifling an expense of money and labor. Every body can do something, however, small. And will be better, yes richer for doing it. Iowa soldiers must be cared for.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862 and the Daily State Journal, Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Parson Brownlow At Camp Morton

The Indianapolis Journal says that the rebels at Camp Morton did not give Parson Brownlow a very cordial reception. He was met with jeers and crist of “Put him out,” “Don’t want him here,” “The old traitor,” etc., which he, having faced worse treatment under far more dangerous circumstances gave little heed to. The insultes came cheifly from the Kentucky Prisoners, who have been from the start the most obstreperous and unrepentant of the rebels there.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862 and also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

It was the impression of the people of this State . . .

. . . from the reports of the telegraph and the Chicago papers that the battle of Pittsburg was fought exclusively by the Chicago Batteries and a few regiments and divisions commanded in the interest of the Chicago papers. Every train and every boat arriving here is loaded with wounded Iowa soldiers. So it is elsewhere. St. Louis is filling up with wounded. So are Louisville, Evansville, Cincinnati, &c. Thousands of wounded Missourians, Indianans, Kentuckians and Ohioans, mattered, maimed, sick and sore, on their way to hospitals where they can be cared for. The whole northwest is mourning over a disaster caused by the blundering and criminal negligence of Chicago-made Generals who have been manufactured into great commanders by forcing process of Chicago special newspaper puffing. The Country is full of widows and orphans made so through sheer negligence and incapacity. It strikes us that we have had enough of this – that our rulers ought to exercise more discrimination, and make no more promotions on account of the clamor of the Chicago press. The disaster of Belmont and the Blundering at Donelson ought to have been enough without this last crushing demonstration of General Grant’s incapacity. And we are not only to look at what the country has suffered but at what it has escaped. But for the opportune arrival of Buell and the Generalship displayed by him on Monday the army of General Grant made up as brave troops as ever took the field, would have been utterly destroyed or captured with all its munitions of war and commissary stores and the Union cause set back at least a year.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862