"Shoot straight you bastards, don't make a mess of it." - Breaker Morant.
Actually, Gilmore opted for the firing squad in the mistaken belief that the state would not get enough people to volunteer for the squad and that the state would not be able to execute him. Thousands volunteered and nearly half stated in their application that they would be happy to bring their own rifle and ammunition. Gilmore was a dumbass but I thank him for giving me for the best laugh that month, and thank you dwarfo for reminding of that story.