1856.] TTie Execution of Major Andre. COl 



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The principal guard-officer, who was constantly in the room of 

 the prisoner, relates that when the hour of his execution was an- 

 nounced to him in the morning, he received it without emotion, and 

 while all present were affected with silent gloom, he retained a firm 

 countenance, with calmness and composure of mind. Observing his 

 servant enter the room in tears, he exclaimed, " Leave me till you 

 can show yourself more manly." His breakfast being sent to him 

 from the table of Gi-eneral Washington, which had been done every 

 day of his confinement, he partook of it as usual ; and having shaved 

 and dressed himself, he placed his hat on the table, and cheerfully 

 said to the guard officers, " I am ready at any moment, gentlemen, 

 to wait on you." The fatal hour having arrived, a large detachment 

 of troops were paraded, and an immense concourse of people assem- 

 bled ; almost all our general and field officers, excepting his excellen- 

 cy and his staff, were present on horseback ; melancholy and gloom 

 pervaded all ranks ; the scene was affecting and awful. 



I was so near during the solemn march to the fatal spot, as to 

 observe every movement, and participate iu every emotion, which 

 the melancholy scene was calculated to produce. Major Andre 

 walked from the stone house in which he had been confined, between 

 two of our subaltern officers, arm in arm ; the eyes of the immense 

 multitude were fixed on him, who, rising superior to the fear of 

 death, appeared as if conscious of the dignified deportment which 

 he displayed. He displayed no want of fortitude, but retained a 

 complacent smile on his countenance, and politely bowed to several 

 gentlemen whom he knew, which was respectfully returned. It was 

 his earnest desire to be shot, as being the most conformable to the 

 feelings of a military man, and he had indulged the hope that his 

 request would be granted. At the moment, therefore, when he 

 came suddenly in view of the gallows, he involuntarily started back, 

 and made a pause. "Why this emotion, sir?" said an officer by his 

 side. " I am reconciled to my death, but I detest the mode." 



While waiting and standing near the gallows, I observed some de- 

 gree of trepidation — placing his foot upon a stone and rolling it 

 over, and choking in his throat, as if attempting to swallow. So 

 soon, however, as he perceived that things were in readiness, he 

 stepped quickly into the wagon ; and at this moment he appeared to 



