The order read:
Colonel Strachan:
If the fact can be established that Humphrey was in Palmyra when Porter was here and refused to leave, reprieve him and put no one in his place.
McNeil.
When the order was delivered to Colonel Strachan he raved like a madman. He had had ten coffins made, and though the heavens fell, they should be filled. Like Shylock, he demanded his pound of flesh.
"For God's sake!" said Captain Reed to Strachan, "if you must have the tenth victim, take a single man."
Strachan stalked to the prison and glancing over the prisoners called out, "Hiram Smith."
A young man, twenty-two years of age, stepped forward.
"Is your name Hiram Smith?" asked Strachan.
"It is," was the answer.
"You are to be shot this afternoon."
The young man drew himself up, gazed blankly at Strachan for a moment, and then without a word turned and walked across the room to where a bucket of water was standing. Taking a drink he turned around with the remark, "I can die just as easily as I took that drink of water." And this young man knew he had but two hours to live.[13]