Andreas Hofer - Court Martial and Execution

Court Martial and Execution

Officers holding the court martial disagreed on the exact sentence until they received a message from Milan. It was supposedly from the Viceroy, transmitting Napoleon's order to "give him a fair trial and then shoot him." Later Napoleon claimed to Prince Metternich that Hofer was executed against his wishes.

Andreas Hofer was executed by a firing squad on February 20, 1810. He refused a blindfold and gave money to a corporal in charge, telling him to "shoot straight". Hofer became a martyr in Germany and Austria and a rallying point against the power of Napoleon.

Read more about this topic:  Andreas Hofer

Famous quotes containing the words court, martial and/or execution:

    When a man’s feeling and character are injured, he ought to seek a speedy redress.... My character you have injured, and further you have insulted me in the presence of a court and large audience. I therefore call upon you as a gentleman to give me satisfaction for the same.
    Andrew Jackson (1767–1845)

    Inspire the Vocal Brass, Inspire;
    The World is past its Infant Age:
    Arms and Honour,
    Arms and Honour,
    Set the Martial Mind on Fire,
    And kindle Manly Rage.
    John Dryden (1631–1700)

    Union of Religious Sentiments begets a surprising confidence and Ecclesiastical Establishments tend to great ignorance and corruption, all of which facilitate the Execution of Mischievous Projects.
    James Madison (1751–1836)