Fort I In in hi/ on the Yadkiii. 278
Kiac Oxford said, " If you will hold my gun, I will pray; " but in- stead of praying for the men, he thanked God that they were to be brought to justice, and that none of the party had been killed. After this Rev. W. R. Gwaltney offered an earnest prayer for them, and then they were shot, "as nearly in strict conformity to military usage .!> these old Confederate soldiers, under the excitement of the occa- sion, could conform to."
After the prisoners were shot, the fort was set on fire. When the flames reached the cellar, the firing of guns was like a hot skirmish. Wade's men had stored away a great many loaded guns and a large quantity of ammunition.
Wade was seen in the vicinity several days after. He claimed to have been a major in Stonemen's command and a native of Michi- gan. He said that he had escaped to the Yadkin river from the fort and had hid under the banks until night; that in searching for him the soldiers had frequently come within six feet of him.
On the way back to Alexander county Captain Cowan, from Ire- dell, was met with a small body of men on their way to Fort Hamby. Also a company of Federal troops, then stationed in Statesville, were met on their way to the fort. They were told what had been done. " The captain ordered three cheers, which the men gave with a good will." (Dr. W. C. Green.)
The bodies of Linney and Brown were brought back home for final burial.
Though all the desperadoes were not brought to justice, this com- pletely broke up their depredations.
ROBERT L. FLOWERS.
NOTE. The information for this article was obtained from Hon. R. Z. Linney, Colonel George W. Flowers, Rev. W. R. Gwaltney, and Dr. W. C. Green, all of whom took an active part in the cap- ture of the fort.
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