Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1863-07-18
sUBsC RIPTIONi


Press" from Franklin Tenn details the follow
Ing facts and history Of tho. two spies executed
there June 9th, 1863;
"Last evening June Stl1 about sundown two
strangers rode into eampaod called at Col Baird s
headquarters who presented unnsual appearances.
They bad on citizens' overcoats, Federal regula-
tion pants and caps. The caps were covered with
white flannel havelocks, They wore side-arms,
and showed high intelligence. One claimed to
be Colonel, U. 5. Army, and called himself Col.
Orton; the other called himself AIajor Dunlop, and
both representing themselves as Inspector Gener-
ais U. Army. ~
."At dark they left Col B. and started for Nash
vile. They had proceeded about a quarter Of a
mile when they were oyertaken by Col. Watkins
and his orderly. Col. W, told them that Col. B.
wanted to make some further inquiries Of them,
and asked them to return. This they politely
consented to do, after some remOnstrance on ac-
count Of the ateness Of the hour and the distance
they had to travel. Col. w. led them to his tent,
where he placed strong guard over them COL
y. then told them that the were under arrest
Col d. teegraphed 10 Gen. Rosecrans and Tecei-
we'd reply that no such men were 10 the army. n
"Alter this despatch came 10 hand, which ii did
about u o'clock, (nid0ight,) search of their per-
sons was ordered. 10 this The Nao consented,
but the Colonel protested against it, and even put
bis hand to his arms. Resistance was useless,
and both submitted. When the Majors sword
was drawn from the scabbard there were found
etched upon it these words 1t. W. g. Peter, u.
S.A.' AT this discovery Col. Baird remarked,
'Uentemen, you have played this id well. -
Yes, said Lieut.. Peter and 1t came near being a
perfect success. They then confessed tho whole
matter, and upon further search various papers
showing their guilt were discovered upon their
persons.
Col. Baird teegnphed Tho facts to Gen Rose
Grams and received an order ITO try them by a
drum-head court martial and If found guilty hang
them immediately" The court was convened and
before daylight the case was decided, and the pr-
soners informed that they must prepare for imms-
date death by hanging.
"The prisoners we're visited by the Chaplain Of
tho 18th Illinois, who, upon their request, admin
istered the sacrament to them They also wrote
some letters to their friends, and deposited their
jewelry, silver cups and other valuabes, for tran.
emission to their friends.
"The gallows was constructed by q wild cherry
tree not far from the depot. Two ropes hung
dangling from the beam, reaching within eight
feet Of the ground. A little after 9 O'Clock A. NJ.
the whole garrison was narshalled around the
place of execution in solemn sadness Two po-
plar collins were lying few feet away Twenty
minutes past nine the guards conducted the priso-
ners to the scallold. They walled firm and steady,
as II unmindIul of the fearful prccipice which they
were approaching The guards did them the hon
or to march with arms reversed Arrived at the
place Of execution they stepped upon the plat
form and took their respective places. \
They then asked the privilege Of bidding q last
farewell, which being granted, they tendery en-
braced each other ln two minutes the
Lieutenant ceased TO struggle, and the Colonel
ceased in five. y y At twenty minutes all
Signs Of life had seased. The bodies were encof-
fined in full dress. y y Both men We're
buried in the same grave companions 10 life,
misfortune, and now companions ip the grave.
"The elder and leader Of these unfortunate men
was Lawrence Williams, Of Georgetown, D. g.
He was as fine looking man as have ever seem \
He was one ofthe most intellectual and
accomplished men that | have ever known. |
have never known any one who exceled him as a
talker. He was member OF the regular army;
nt that time alde-de-camp and private secretary
TO Gen. Scott. lie was awhile on Gen.
Braggs staff as chief ofartiIlery but at the time
ofhis death was his Inspector General. When he
entered the Confederate army he changed bis
name to Lawrence w, 0rton
"The other victim Of this dslusive and reckless
daring was Walter &. Peter, lieutenant in the
rebel army, and Col 0rtons adiutant. He was a
tall handsome young man Of about twenty-five
years, who gave many sign Of education and re-
finement. OF his history have been able TO get
nothing.
"Such is succntt account Of one Of the most
daring enterprises that men ever engaged in,
" History will hardly furnish its parallel in
the character and standing Of the parties the
bOlduess and daring Of the enterprise, and the
swlituess with which discovery and punishment
wera visited upon them. Col. o., who
recognised Col Watkins as soon MS he saw him,
told him that he barely escaped his life when the
arrest was made that he had bis hand on his pis-
pistol to kill him and escaperthat had it been any
one else he would have done SO,
"Weare all sad over this event. There is a
gloom upon every lace Although we arc fully
satisfied that the mission of these men was to plan
onr destruction, and that even they recognised
their punishment just, according to the accepted
rules Of war among all nations, still to see such
m cuitor pun lt,, haa Glla1