Bennington cont'd. 265-275 | Bennington County, VTGenWeb

BENNINGTON (continued)

Chapter XX.

Aldrich, Lewis Cass, editor; History of Bennington County, Vt. © 1889, pages 265-

In the fall of 1776 the regiment, under the command of Colonel Moses Robinson, was honorably discharged, the campaign in the vicinity of Ticonderoga for the year being ended, one company from Bennington having previously been ordered to return and assist in forwarding a supply of flour for the use of the army. Nathan Clark, chairman of the committee at Bennington, had answered the request of the commissary, saying "that one thousand bushels of wheat had been collected and was being ground at the mills, and would be forwarded as fast as possible, adding "that the militia having left us almost to a man renders it very difficult to furnish assistance to convey what we have already on hand," and suggesting the feasibility of discharging some of the militia for such service. Commissary Yancy gave as a reason why he had made application to the Bennington committee "that there was danger of too long a delay from the number of disaffected persons in and about Albany to obtain provisions from that place," where it would naturally be most convenient
to obtain them, other conditions being equal.

A roll of one of the companies from Bennington which was in service on this occasion has been found among the papers of Captain Elijah Dewey who commanded it. The following is a copy: "Payroll of Captain Elijah Dewey's company in Colonel Moses Robinson's regiment of the militia in the service of the United States of America, Mount Independence, 1776, Elijah Dewey, captain; Ebenezer Walbridge, first lieutenant; Thomas Jewett, second lieutenant; Nathaniel Fillmore, ensign; Joseph Rudd, Daniel Harman, John Fay, sergeants; John Smith, Jedediah Merrill, Thomas Story, corporals; privates, Samuel Cutler, Ezekiel Harman, Joseph Wickwire, Daniel Kinsley, Jonathan Parsons, Andrew Weaver, Abner Marble, Phineas Scott, Aaron Haynes, Silas Harman, Joseph Robinson, Ezekiel Smith, Seth Porter, David Powers, Hopestill Armstrong, Joseph Willoughby, Samuel Hunt, Joshua Carpenter, Othneil Green, Philip Matteson, Roswell Moseley."

In January, 1777, a committee of the New York convention made a report, alleging "that countenance and encouragement was given to the disaffected (on the grants) by false representations that persons of much influence and authority in the neighboring States were favorable to them, and that it was the intention of the Continental Congress to aid and assist them in obtaining their independence." It charged that these false statements had "received great weight and authority from the appointment of Seth Warner to be colonel of a
regiment to be raised in that part of the State, and to appoint his own officers independent of the State of New York, the said Warner being well known to have been "principally concerned in divers riots, outrages and cruelties committed in direct opposition to the former government, and recommended the disbanding of "the said regiment directed to be raised by Mr. Warner."

Although Congress did not accede to the desire in the petition of Jonas Fay and others, that this territory should be recognized as a free and independent State, and that delegates should be admitted to seats in Congress, still it did not, as was urged by the New York friends, "express any opinion on the merits of the controversy, evidently intending to leave it, at least for the present, to be determined by the parties themselves, without the intervention of Congress." Neither did it recommend the "recall of the commissions to Colonel Warner and the officers under him, or the disbanding of the obnoxious regiment."

The inhabitants of Bennington were not behind others at this time in declaring by representation at Westminster, "that they would at all times thereafter consider themselves as a free and independent State by the name of New Connecticut, and that the people had the sole right of governing themselves in such manner and form as they in their wisdom should chose not repugnant to any resolve of the honorable, the Continental Congress." Soon afterwards at Windsor "in general convention, June 4, 1777," an additional declaration was made and officially signed by Jonas Fay, secretary, among other important matters changing the name to "Vermont." Another act of this convention was the appointment on the 7th day of June of the 18th of the then month "to be observed as a day of public fasting and prayer throughout the State," and this first proclamation for a fast in Vermont, signed by Jonas Fay as secretary, was issued, and the day was observed in Bennington, and through the State very generally.

The facts which have been alluded to out of the very many prominent ones which might be cited, will give an idea of the prominence of many of the men of this town, and impress upon the mind in some degree the continual strain for thirteen long years endured by its inhabitants in resisting the enchoachments of New York, and latterly in aiding by unexampled promptness and zeal the colonies in their opposition to the mother country, in her endeavor to tax and oppress them with her unjust laws.

It seems very remarkable that during the long controversy of the settlers with the province of New York, in which there were so many altercations, so many skirmishes, so many hand to hand collisions and encounters, in which firearms were commonly used as weapons both of offense and defense, there was not the loss of a single life. But many a Yorker was handled in such a manner as to make him wary of being again caught within the lines of the "grants," while the forbearance exhibited by the inhabitants towards those endeavoring to deprive them of their homes, and the firmness shown at all times for protecting their justly acquired possessions, without going to extreme measures, is the only way to account for the strange though not deadly experiences of the times.

The history of Bennington can no more be written without telling the story of the battle of the l6th of August, 1777, than "the play of 'Hamlet' can be acted with Hamlet left out," which is the ground upon which justification is claimed in giving it a place here The tale of the earlier settlers must be told to show of what stuff the pioneers of the town, both men and women, were made of, and the part taken in this and other scenes by the people of Bennington clearly belongs to the town.

In the spring of 1777 Ticonderoga was in possession of our forces under General St. Clair. General Burgoyne had succeeded General Carlton in Canada, and the campaign of 1776 had ended disastriously for our cause, leaving Lake Champlain by th destruction of our shipping under the full command of the enemy. The advancing army under Burgoyne numbered about nine thousand men, well armed and equipped, and was made up mostly of veterans from England and Germany, with great numbers of Canadians and Tories, and a large body of Indians. The plan which it was expected would be carried out was for Burgoyne to sweep down to Albany, driving before him all opposition and spreading devastation upon his right and left wings, expecting large numbers of Tories would seek his protection, and with an increased army rejoicing in a victorious campaign, he would meet one that with like military glory should come up the Hudson River from New York, thus separating New England from the other States.

With anxiety to muster the regiment of Colonel Warner for the Continental army, the "the town had at a meeting held the 14th of April, voted to raise £240 lawful money ($Soo) to be paid in bounties of $40 to each man from the town that should enUst in such regiment."

The State Council of Safety "had adjourned to Bennington in July, where it continued in permanent session until after the surrender of Burgoyne in October, in the room before mentioned, in the tavern of Landlord Fay." Of the original thirteen members, five, viz.: Stephen and Jonas Fay, Samuel and Moses Robinson and Nathan Clark were from Bennington. "Of the six most active members of the council, as shown by such minutes of its proceedings as have been preserved, were Jonas Fay, Nathan Clark and Moses Robinson," of Bennington.

The regiment of militia under Colonel Moses Robinson composed among others of two companies from Bennington, the roll of one of which has already been given, was called into service in June, and "was at Mount Independence, when that fort, together with Ticonderoga, was evacuated by St. Clair July 6, 1777." He had made the best preparation he could with the means and men at his disposal for the defense of Ticonderoga and the head of the lake, but on the approach of Burgoyne with so formidable an army he felt compelled to
abandon them. On his retreat the rearguard of the army, "under the command of Colonel Seth Warner, was overtaken the next day, July 7, at Hubbardton, by a large body of the enemy, and often a brave resistance was overpowered by numbers and obliged to give way." The place designated as the rallying point for Warner's scattered regiment was Manchester, where soon after some one hundred and forty were gathered. The main army under St. Clair had taken a circuitous march to join General Schuyler at Fort Edwart,
via Rutland, Dorset and Arlington, arriving there the 12th.

Now all was consternation through the State, many of the inhabitants on the east side of the mountain leaving their homes and crossing the Connecticut River into New Mampshire and Massachusetts, and great numbers on the west side, especially of towns north of Bennington, were thrown into a quandary as to what course to take, from fear begotten of the proclamation of Burgoyne, "of destruction to the lives and property of all who should oppose him, but promising protection and security to those who should give him their adhesion, and offering payment 'in solid coin' for all provisions that should be brought to his camp." To very many the large and well equipped army of Burgoyne seemed irresistible. Great numbers repaired to Colonel Skene, "who was at Castleton, and took the oath of allegiance to the king, many of whom, joining the invading army, took up arms against their country." The more patriotic disclaiming obedience to the enemy's demands, abandoned their homes, and, taking what they could carry with them, fled to the south, some stopping in Bennington, but most going through to friends in Berkshire county and so on to Connecticut. Thus the territory lying between Bennington and the Hudson, being in the course "of Burgoyne towards Albany, was made, in effect, an enemy's country, and Bennington became a frontier town."

Messages were sent out from the Council of Safety to New Hampshire and Massachusetts asking for immediate aid. An attack being expected at Manchester, the force there under Colonel Warner was increased by all of the militia that could be collected; and to sustain a patrol for protection against the Tories in their midst, and to guard the frontiers from unexpected attacks, "the council ordered the property of those of their inhabitants that had joined the enemy to be sequestered and sold." Thus a fund was secured to help in organizing a regiment of rangers under the command of Colonel Samuel Herrick of Bennington, which was of great service to the country.

The Assembly of New Hampshire instantly responded to the message of the Vermont council, and ordered a brigade of their militia to be placed under the command of General John Stark, who had served in the first French war, as colonel at Bunker Hill, in Canada, and under Washington at Trenton and Princeton. He had resigned his commission and retired from the Continental service, as Congress had promoted junior officers over him, and, as he felt, unworthily.

Now, by instructions from the president of New Hampshire, he "was to repair to Charlestown, No. 4," and when the troops were collected there "to take command of them and march into the State of Vermont, and there act in conjunction with the troops of that State, or any other of the States, or of the United States, or separately, as it should appear expedient to him, for the protection of the people or the annoyance of the enemy." Stark with his men arrived at Manchester August 7th, when he dechned to march his troops to the Hudson to join those of General Schuyler on the ground of the defenseless condition in which it would leave the inhabitants, and that he could do more to perplex the advance of Burgoyne and harass him upon his flanks than by joining the main army under him. With Colonel Warner, the remnant of "whose Continental regiment was left at Manchester under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Safford, he and his men passed on to Bennington, arriving on the 9th, having learned that a large body of the enemy which for some time had been at Castleton, threatening Manchester, and to cross over to Connecticut River, had marched to the Hudson.

General Stark encamped for a few days about two miles west of Bennington Center, near the then residence of Colonel Herrick, collecting information with regard to the designs of the enemy by scouts sent into their lines, advising with the Council of Safety and with Colonel Warner, who was better acquainted with the arts and situation of the foe, perhaps, than any other man, and aiding by every means at his or his associate's command to hurry towards Bennington the troops from Massachusetts and Connecticut for the coming conflict, which now seemed imminent.

The advance of Burgoyne towards Albany, on account of the natural difficulties of the way and the opposition he encountered, was tardy, and when he reached the Hudson River he was "so deficient in provisions and also in cattle and carriages for transportation that he was much embarrassed about the means for advancing further." For the purpose of supplying himself with these things, which he learned had been collected in considerable quantities at Bennington for the supply of the American forces, he resolved to seize them
for his own army." The command was given to Lieutenant-Colonel Baum, a veteran German otficer, whose forces numbered some seven hundred, consisting of "dismounted dragoons," "Frazer's marksmen," "Canadian volunteers," "Provincials or Tories," with one hundred Indians, and two light pieces of cannon. He left Burgoyne's camp, near Saratoga, arriving at Cambridge on the 13th of August. On the morning of the 14th he had reached Sancoick, about half a mile below North Hoosick, where he routed a party of Americans who were in possession of a mill. It was here upon the head of a barrel he wrote back to Burgoyne "by five prisoners taken here they agree that 1,500 to 1,800 men are at Bennington, but are supposed to leave on our approach." They did leave on his approach, but not in the direction he had anticipated. The old mill is still standing, and is about eight miles from Bennington.

Stark having received information by scouts on the 13th that a party of Indians was at Cambridge, had sent Colonel Gregg with two hundred men to oppose them, and hearing still later that a still larger body of troops with artillery was advancing on Bennington he had "sent to Manchester for Colonel Warner's regiment and the neighboring militia to rally to his support." He started with his brigade to meet the foe, accompanied by Colonels Warner, Williams, Ilerrick and Brush, on the morning of the 14th, and had gone about five miles when he met Gregg retreating from Saucoick, closely followed by the enemy. Stark's men were formed in order of battle, but no engagement took place, as he considered his position unfavorable for a general encounter. He fell back about a mile and encamped on the farm now owned by Lewis Northouse, on the hill near the dwelling recently erected by him. Baum halted his forces on the west side of the Walloomsac River, and stationed the greater part of his German veterans, under his own command, on the top of a thickly wooded hill, northwest of Stark's encampment, where the shore rises abruptly three or four hundred feet, his position overlooking the country around. Here he constructed intrenchmcnts of earth and logs to protect himself from attack on the west and his flanks, the bank of the river on the east securing him from annoyance in that direction.

The road runs westerly across the river at the south end of this high bank, and the bridge was an important pass. For its defense Baum threw up a breastwork on the high bank of the river above it, upon which was placed one of the cannon, and on both sides of the road smaller breastworks were erected near the west end of the bridge, which were manned by Frazer's marksmen, and other preparations were made for strengthening the position. Quite a number of Tories had joined Baum on his march and were under Colonel Francis Pfister, a British officer of wealth and influence, living near what is now known as Hoosick Corners. "These with most of Peters's corps of loyalists, were posted on a hill east of the stream, forty or fifty rods to the southeast of the bridge." Strong works of defense known as the "Tory breastworks," were erected here, and the position would have the protection of ball and grape from the cannon at the bridge. The other cannon in charge of German grenadiers, supported by some Tories, appears to have been placed further to the west in a cleared field near the road on the hillside which commanded the approaches to the bridge and the Tory encampment, and also to the south flank of Baum's encampment." "The positions of the two hostile bodies though but about two miles apart, were entirely hidden from each other by a heavily wooded intervening hill."

"The force under General Stark was composed of the greater part of his brigade of New Hampshire militia, a small number of Vermont militia from the east side of the mountain under Colonel William Williams, who had been stationed at Manchester, Colonel Herrick's corps of rangers then forming, the State militia from Bennington and its vicinity under Colonel Nathaniel Brush, of which there were two companies from Bennington, one commanded by Captain Samuel Robinson and the other by Captain Elijah Dewey; and on the morning of the l6th Stark was joined by Colonel Simonds and some militia from Berkshire county. On the night of the 14th, after ascertaining the position of the enemy, Stark called a council consisting, "of the leading members of the Council of Safety, as well as Colonels Warner and Hcrrick and other military officers, in which a plan for attacking the enemy was discussed and adopted, and it was agreed that the attack should be made the next morning, but the 15th was so excessively rainy as to prevent any attempt at a general action. Scouts were, however, sent out, some of which were engaged in successful skirmishes."

The plan arranged for the 16th was for Colonel Nichols with two hundred men, afterwards increased to three hundred, to make a wide northern circuit and come upon the rear of Baum's left, and Colonel Herrick with three hundred men made up of Colonel Brush's militia and his rangers, taking a wide southern circuit to get upon the rear of his right, both as speedily and stealthily as possible. "Colonels Hubbard and Stickney with three hundred of Stark's brigade, were ordered to the enemy's extreme right." The attention of the enemy was taken up during the time occupied by the three parties in gaining their different positions by menacing assaults on his front, or, as Thomas Mellen, a New Hampshire veteran said, "we were marched round and round a circular hill till we were tired, and Stark said it was to amuse the Germans." It was about three o'clock when firing was commenced by Nichols's men. which was the signal for a general attack. The firing was immediately followed by the troops under Herrick and the third detachment of Hubbard and Stickney's,
while General Stark "with his reserve of New Hampshire men and the Berkshire and some Vermont militia, in the face of the enemy's cannon assailed the Tory breastwork and the pass of the bridge in front. The engagement thus became general and lasted," says Stark in his report to Gates, "two hours, and was the hottest I ever saw; it represented one continued clap of thunder." The Indians, alarmed at the prospect of being inclosed between the parties of Nichols and Herrick, fled at the beginning of the fight, but Baum, with his Germans and all others under his command, having the advantage of their position behind the intrenchments which the rain of the 15th had given them ample time to erect and make strong, fought with great resolution and bravery, but they were overpowered by their militia assailants, and either fled or surrendered prisoners of war.

The prisoners having been sent away to Bennington, the militia naturally scattered in collecting the spoils, and viewing the work which had been accomplished. Soon it was learned that reinforcements were within a distance of two miles. They had been sent forward under the command of Colonel Breyman numbering six hundred and forty-two, all Germans, "with two pieces of cannon which Burgoyne, on hearing that the force at Bennington was greater than had been expected, had dispatched to the assistance of Baum." It was no easy
matter to check the progress of these veteran soldiers, as Stark's men were in great confusion, but "happily at this juncture Warner's regiment of about one hundred and forty men came up fresh under Lieutenant-Colonel Safford, and took its position in front, serving as a rallying point for the scattered militia."

Breyman advanced with his two pieces of artillery with infantry on either side until he was met by a body of the militia which had been collected and a stand made forty or fifty rods east of the present Walloomsac Depot. "Here he was attacked in front and flank, a most deadly fire being poured into his ranks from a wooded hill on his left. The action was very severe and continued till after sunset, when many of Breyman's men being killed or wounded and his artillery horses shot down he abandoned his cannon and fled. General Stark pursued his flying forces till the approaching darkness rendered it necessary to draw off his men to prevent their firing upon each other. "With one hour more of daylight," says Stark in his official report, "we should have captured the whole body." He further says, "we recovered four pieces of brass cannon, seven hundred stand of arms and brass banded drums, several Hessian swords, about seven hundred prisoners, two hundred and seven dead on the spot, the number of wounded is yet unknown. That part of the enemy that made their escape marched all night and were returned to our camp. Our loss was inconsiderable, about forty wounded and thirty killed."

The report of musketry and cannon was distinctly heard in the center of the town, and the old village was filled with women and children whose husbands and fathers were on the battlefield in deadly conflict with the enemy. The anxiety and dreadful suspense of that long day cannot be realized, and much less described; but a flood of gratitude and joy burst forth as the news came that the foe had been defeated and a glorious victory won. Bennington, indeed, was called to deeply mourn, for among the killed were four of its most
respected citizens, viz.: "John Fay, a son of Stephen, Henry Walbridge, brother of Ebenezer, Daniel Warner, cousin of the colonel, and Nathan Clarke, son of Nathan, and brother of Isaac. They were all in the prime of life, and all heads of families, leaving widows and children to mourn their sudden bereavement. The grief for their loss was not confined to their immediate relatives, but was general and sincere." Colonel Baum was mortally wounded as was also Colonel Pfister and both were taken prisoners to a house about a mile distant in Shaftsbury, opposite the present paper-mill of C. E. Welling. They both died in this house within a day or two, which was taken down in 186l, and were buried on the bank of the river near by, though the particular spot is not known.

The victory is justly pronounced by Bancroft as "one of most brilliant and eventful of the war;" another says, "the current of success was at once turned from the British to the American arms;" another, "the fate of Burgoyne and his army was, in effect, sealed at Bennington, and his final capture well assured." "General Washington, on being informed of the event, considered it as deciding the fate of Burgoyne, and dismissed all anxiety about his invasion." Its effect upon the enemy was most depressing. "Four days after the battle Burgoyne wrote to the British minister a letter marked 'private,'" in which he says of it, that "had I succeeded, I should have formed a junction with St. Leger and been now in Albany."

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Next to General Stark Colonel Warner should receive the highest credit for the result of the day, though Colonel Hcrrick and all the officers and men deserved high praise for the adroitness and valor they exhibited in the various attacks and repulses. Warner's experience in the Continental army, and his acquaintance with the country and positions occupied by the enemy, well prepared him for "Stark's chief adviser in planning the attack on the enemy." On the 17th of October following, Burgoyne, from the crippled condition of his
forces and the scanty means of supply for his men, mainly brought about by this battle, was obliged to surrender with his army as prisoners of war to the American forces at Saratoga.

"Copy of Captain Samuel Robinson's roll, August 16, 1777. — Were in battle Robert Cochran, Gideon Spencer, William Henry, Henry Walbridge, Rufus Branch, John Larned, Thomas Abel, Nathan Lawrence, Josiah Brush, David Fay (Fifer), Leonard Robinson, Daniel Biddlecome, Levi Hatheway, Abram Hatheway, Reuben Colvin, Eliphalet Stickney, Daniel Rude, Benjamin Holmes, James Marivater, Mr. Alger, Annice Fuller, Jonah Brewster, George Dale, John Marble, Ephraim Marble, Aaron Hubbell, Samuel Safford, jr., Aaron Smith, Ephraim Smith, Samuel Henry, Edward Henderson, Jonathan Haynes, ArchelausTupper, Daniel Warner, Lieutenant Simon Hatheway, Aaron Miller, John Fay, Elijah Fay, Joseph Fay, John Clark, Jehosephat Holmes, Moses Rice, Benjamin Whipple, jr., Silas Robinson, John Weeks, Moses Scott, Alpheus Hathaway, Solomon Walbridge, Ebenezer Brocket, Jehiel Smith, Asa Branch, Phinehas Wright, John Smith, Jesse Belknap, Silvanus Brown, John Forbes, Stephen Williams, William Post, David Safford, Jared Post, Jeremiah Bingham, Samuel Slocum, Josiah Hurd, Elijah Brewster, Solomon Leason, Thomas Selden, John Rigney, Elisha Smith, Solomon Safford, Joseph Roe, William Terrill, Noah Beach, Simeon Sears, David Robinson, Joseph Safford, Isaac Webster."

There were still more than five years of war with England to be endured, a period longer than the war of the late rebellion, and with the enemy in possession of Lake Champlain; with the jealousy and rapacity of the New York government, which still envied and claimed our possessions, together with the Tory element to contend with, which ever and anon showed its "hydra head," "the inhabitants of Bennington and its vicinity were kept in a state of almost continual apprehension and alarm."

The Legislature of the State as already organized, was to meet at Bennington on the 4th of June, 1778. A few days before the time Colonel Ethan Allen who had been a prisoner in England over two years returned to Bennington. He was received with much rejoicing; among other demonstrations cannon was fired amid shouting by the large numbers who had gathered to greet him. Just at this time there was great excitement over the conviction of David Redding, a Tory, who had been tried for giving comfort to the enemy on the lake, and for secretly appropriating "for the use of the Tories a number of guns from the house of David Robinson, where they had been lodged for safe keeping." He had been sentenced to be hung on the 4th of June, but it was shown to the governor and council, then met, that he had been tried by six jurors only, and the council granted a reprieve until the next Thursday at
two o'clock in thc afternoon. A large number had gathered to witness the execution, and were anxious to see it consummated. They were afraid something might occur to hinder the carrying out of the sentence, and there were indications that the people, perhaps, would take the case into their own hands; "whereupon Ethan Allen, suddenly pressing through the crowd, mounted a stump and waving his hat, exclaiming 'attention, the whole' proceeded to announce the reason for the reprieve, advised the multitude to depart peacebly to their homes and return the day fixed for the execution in the act of the governor and council, adding with an oath, 'you sh.all see somebody hung at all events, for if Redding is not hung I will be hung myself.' Upon this assurance the uproar ceased and the crowd dispersed." Redding was tried and convicted on the 9th by a jury of twelve, and his execution took place on the 11th of June, the time to which the reprieve extendetl. "The place of execution was in a field west of the road and opposite the tavern-house of Landlord Fay,'" a little north of the "Governor Tichenor" place, now occupied by Mrs. George Lyman.

There has been but one other public execution in Bennington. Archibald C. Bates of Shaftsbury, was hung on the 8th of February, 1839 for the murder of his brother's wife in the preceding month of October. He shot and instantly killed her while she was holding a babe in her arms, of which crime he was convicted and afterwards confessed it. The nurse, with the little child of the murdered woman, was early upon the ground that she might witness the whole proceedings. The gallows stood in the lot on the west side of the road in Bennington Center, a little north of where the battle monument stands. That order and decorum in the fulfillment of the law should be maintained in every respect the militia were called out, commanded by Colonel John L. Potter of Pownal, Captain William E. Hawks of North Bennington taking charge of the procession. The gallows was erected by or under the direction of Benjamin R. Sears, and the fatal drop was in charge of the county sheriff, Gurdon H. Smith of Manchester, who discharged his duty with singular conscientiousness as a punishment necessary to be inflicted rather than an official act which would bring notoriety. There was no flaw or interruption in the arrangements, and at the appointed hour, with little or no sign to give warning to the multitude, the execution was effected, many witnessing it who had made up their minds to close their eyes at the moment and others were disappointed that they were looking at the time in another direction. Rev. E. W. Hooker, D. D. had often visited the prisoner in his cell for prayer and to impart spiritual advice. The prayer upon the gallows was made by the Rev. Mr. Hubbard of the Methodist Church, whose voice could be heard, it is said, the distance of more than a mile. Pubhc sentiment has so changed with reference to executions of this kind that they are now witnessed only by the proper officials, and enough of those particularly interested to render it sure the law has been duly enforced.