Execution of a "Rebel Spy" at Pulaski, Tenn.
We take the following account of the execution of an alleged Confederate spy from the Pulaski Chanticleer, of December 1st, a paper edited by C. W. Hildreth, and devoted to the interest of the left wing of the 16th (Yankee) army corps:Last Friday the citizens and soldiers of Pulaski witnessed one of those painful executions of stern justice, which makes war so terrible; and though sanctioned by the usages of war, is no more than men in the service of their country expose themselves to every day. Samuel Davis, of General Coleman's scouts, having been found within the Federal lines with dispatches and malls, destined for the enemy, was tried on the charge of being a spy, and being found guilty was condemned to be hung between the hours of 10 o'clock A. M. and 6 o'clock P. M. on Friday, November 27th, 1863.--The prisoner was apprised of his sentence by Captain Armstrong, local Provost Marshal and though somewhat surprised at the sentence of death, did not manifest any outward signs of agitation.
Chaplain Young, of the 31st Ohio infantry, visited the prisoner, and administered spiritual consolation. The prisoner expressed himself resigned to his fate, and perfectly prepared to die. He exhibited a firmness unusual for one of his age, and up to the last showed a lively interest in the news of the day, expressing regret when told of the defeat of Bragg.
The scaffold for the execution of the prisoner was built upon the ridge east of town, near the seminary, a position which could be seen from any part of town.
At 10 o'clock A. M the prisoner was taken from his cell, his hands tied behind him, and, accompanied by the captain of the 81st Ohio, was placed in a wagon, seated upon his coffin, and conveyed to the scaffold. The prisoner stepped from the wagon and seated himself upon a bench at the foot of the scaffold. He displayed great firmness — glancing casually at his coffin as it was taken from the wagon. Turning to Capt. Armstrong, he inquired how long he had to live; and was told that he had just fifteen minutes; he then remarked, "we would have to fight the rest of the battles alone."
Captain Armstrong--"I am sorry to be compelled to perform this painful duty. "
Prisoner — with a smile--"It does not hurt me, Captain; I am innocent, though I am prepared to die, and do not think hard of it."
Captain Chickasaw then asked the prisoner if it would not have been better for him to have accepted the offer of life upon the disclosure of facts in his possession? When the prisoner answered, with much indignation:
"Do yo suppose I would betray a friend? No, sir! I would die a thousand times, first! "
He was then questioned upon other matters, but refused to give any information which could be of service.
The prisoner then mounted the scaffold, accompanied, by the chaplain, James Young, whom he requested to pray with him at his execution. The prisoner then stepped upon the trap, the rope was adjusted about his neck, and the cap drawn over his head. In a moment the trap was sprung, and the prisoner fell suspended in the air.--For a few moments he struggled with his hands and feet; this was succeeded by a slight quivering of the body, which ceased a tthree and a half minutes from the time be fell. After being suspended seventeen and a half minutes, the officiating surgeon pronounced the prisoner dead, and he was cut down and placed in his coffin. It was supposed, from the protracted animation which the prisoner exhibited, the fall had not broken his neck, and that he died by strangulation; but upon subsequent examination his neck was found to be completely broken.
So fell one whom the fate of war cut down in early youth, and who exhibited traits of character which, under other circumstances, might have made him a valuable friend and member of society.
