16 October, 1814
Camp Corwin, Tennessee
Aaron spoke to the prisoners. “Gentlemen, you are guilty of treason, murder, and innumerable other crimes. The sentence is immediate execution. “He caught Dolley’s eye. “Do you still want to . . . ?”
Dolley nodded and bowed her head in prayer. Please, Lord, give me strength. Let reason conquer emotion. Amen.
She regarded the prisoners, observed their silent expectation of mercy, and spoke loud and slow. “Please pay attention, for what I am about to say will soon have eternal consequences for you.
” ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
‘And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
‘But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.’
“You have one minute in which to decide whether to believe in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation. After that, regardless of your decision, you will be executed for your crimes.”
Dolley, having satisfied her obligation to God, now prepared to satisfy her obligation to America. She drew her pistol, cocked the hammer, and regarded Phineas Strom over her right shoulder. Strom had been scanning her friends, looking for mercy, and, finding none, he locked eyes with her; his pupils dilated, his face paled, and his expression transitioned from fear to stark horror. She wondered at this as she breathed, slow and deep, waiting for the command to fire.
Aaron snapped shut his timepiece. “Your minute is up. We commend you to the Justice of God. Ready . . . Aim . . . Fire!”
