KECUTION OF THIRTY-EIGHT INDIANS.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 44, 10 April 1863, Page 6 (Supplement)

KECUTION OF THIRTY-EIGHT INDIANS.

m 'he Mankafo, Minnesota, Record brings E fulf details of the execution of the ¥ fy-eight Indians at thatplace, by order I resident Lincoln. So great was the ■ 'ement in the vicinity, and so large the ¥ I of spectators flocking to the scene, I d artial law was proclaimed as early r „ dne3day. On Monday, before the * ion, Colonel Miller read to the conU ' 5 the death warrant of the Presiden I. Mb ■;cordsays: — The occasion was one ■ ' solemnity to the persons present, m >ut very little motion was maniL -the Indians. A haif-b red named ■ .eerned much depressed in spirits. ■ i<s<l attentively, and at the con- ■ if each fenlence indulged their I nt or signal of approval. At the B f that portion of the waj-rant conB them to be hanged by the necks H rise was quite feeble, and was ■I' -inly two or three. Several In- & d their pipes composedly durM 3ine, and we observed one in m .vho, when the lime of execuI ignated, quietly knocked the W-( })is pipe and filled it afresh m f vorite kinnekiniok ; while ■, slowly rubbing a pipeful of ■Lj tele in tiis hand, preparatory H' loke. The day before the exH Indians were conversed with H| ast crimes and coming death. Hk m were much affected, and m protested their innocence, t they hod been falsely accused. ret^d when on trial. Thpy c puilty had genera lly escaped, -tlying upon their innocence, > die. The general justificathem was, that (hey were : '<^t to save their own lives their chief in his attacks and of tlnß there seems to . i making lhese v statemente, denials, they were generfew iodiyiduals were quit«

excited- They were immediately cheeked by others, and told that they were all dead men and there was no reason why they should not nil tell the truth. Many of them have indicted letters to their friends, in which they say they are very dear to them but will see then no more. They exhort them not to cry or change their dress for them. Pome of fhem. say they i expect to co and dwell wUh the Great Spirit, and expressed theliope lhat their; friend < will alt join them. On Tuesday evening- 'he v extemporized a dartre with a wild Indian sons. It wns feared that this was only a rover for something else whi<h mitrht he nftemptpd, and their chains were thereafter Fastened to the floor. It seem?, however, rather probable lhat they were only sinsring their death s^ng,. On Wednesday each Tndian set. apart for execution was pernvtfed to send for two or three of his relatives or friends confined in the main pri-on, for the purpose of bidding them a final adipn. and to carry such messages to absent relatives as each person might he disposed (o send. Major Brown was present during; the interviews, and describes them as very sad and affecting. Each Indian had some word to send his parents or family. When speaking of their wives and children almost everyone was affected to tears. On Thursday evening we paid a bripf visit to the condemned prisoners in their cells. The Catholic ministers were baptising a number. All Ow prisoners seemed resigned to their fate and much depressed in 9pirit-\ Many sat perfectly motionless, and more like statues than living men, Others were deeply interested in the ceremony of baptism. The gallows, constructed of heavy square timbers, is located on the levee opposite the headquarters. It is 2+ feet square, in form of a diamond. It is 20 feet high. The drop is held by a large rope, attached to a pole in the centre of tho frame. We visited the prisoners in their cell an hour before the execution. Their arms were tied, some "Wpre painted, and all wore blankets or shawls over their shoulders. They were seated on the floor, composedly awaiting the appointed hour. They seemed cheerful, occasionally smilins: or conversing together. The last hour was occupier) by Father Raveanx in religious service : the l prisoners followed him in prayer. Their time was thus occupied until the hour of execution. Captain Bnrt was officer of the dav, and officer of tbe euard. Captain G. D. Red field. Provost Marshal, at seven, a. m., promptly excluded all persons from the room of the sentenced convicts and hiving unmanacled the prisoners, pinioned their arms and otherwise prepaid them for execution. They were passed through the guard room, and at the gallows delivered to the officer of the dav. They were conducted by the guard reliefs, unarmed, under direction of Captain Redfield, to the scaffold, between two file* of soldiers stationed on the route. The officer of the day received the con \ ids at the scaffold. Eight men were detailed, one to each section of the platform to act as executioners, and two men armed with axes were ready for any emergency "Upon reaching the gallows they ascended the steps, and as they took their places, commenced singing a death pong. Baptiste Campbell remained perfectly quiet. The rope was adjusted, and the caps pulled dowry, the culprits all the while continuing their song. When all was ready, Major Brown, signnl officer, heat three distinct taps upon the drum. At the third stroke William J. Doly, of the mounted scouts, cut the drop rope, andthe 3S savage murderers were launched into eternity — New York Journal of Commerce th Janu ary.