The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1863-06-30

the other OF them.
The Capture, Trial and Execution
Of Col. Lawrence Williams and
Lieut.. Walter G. Peters, Of the
Rebel Army.-Fnnklin, June .,
IS63.-whn the history cftl,is mc.t
bloody war is fully written, few, ifany
incidents will be Of more thrilling in
ieress than the eaptare, trial and exc
cution Of Col. Williams and Lieut.. Pc
ters. We had been besiegcd for four
or five days by Gen Forrest, our com
with Nashville cut of, and
most Of the time lighting, and we're al.
most hourly looking for general as
sault upon our feeble garrison. Col
Baird, Of the S5th Indiana, had made
the best possible disposition Of our
forces, and all were resolved TO sell
Franklin as dearly as possible,
But last night, the dull monotony OF
lodging shells was relieved, and excite
ment was carried TO the highest pitch,
as two fine looking officers, dressed in
what appeared the Federal uniform,
and mounted on splendid horses, rode
up to Col. J. p. Baird's headquarters,
and introduced themselves as Col. Au-
ton and Major Dunlap, of the United
States Regular Army.-They stated
that they had, few days before, been
ordered by the War Department 10
report 10 General Rosecrans for duty,
as Special Inspectors Of the Army Of
the Cumberland. They had entered
upon their new field Of duty the day
before, fully equipped, and accompani-
ed by two Orderlies. They showed
proper papers from Adjutant- General
Thomas and General Garfield, Chief
Of Rosecrans' staff, and stated that af-
ter leaving MurfTeesboro, they took
the direction of Eaglesville; and, when
near that place, they went into a house
for dinner that while at dinner, they
we're surprised by a party Of about
twenty rebel scouts who captured
their Orderlies, and came so near cap.
turing them as to make il necessary
TO leave their coats and other baggage /;
that they were, unfortunately, out Of
funds, and wished the loan of fifty dol
lars of Col. Baird, that they might 90
to Nashville TO refit themselves before
going further OH duty. Col Baird, al
though suspicious that all was not
right, felt himself compelled to recog-
nize them, with such perfect papers
from so high source. lie gave them
the fifty dollars and pass to Nash
vile, upon receiving which the two
started off at full speed in the direc.
tion of Nashville.
But they had scarcely disappeared
in the dark when Colonel Watkins, Of
the 9th Kentucky Cavalry, and Colo
mel Baird both felt such intense ankle
ty lest they might have been imposed
upon, that it was instantly resolved TO
pursue and arrest the two gents, and
hold them until they could learn from
General Rosecrans the truth of their
statements.
As no time was TO be lost, the gal
liant Colonel Watkins, accompanied
by a single Orderly, started in pursuit,
and dashing forward towards our pick
cts, luckily came in sight Of them. He
hailed them and ordered them back 10
Colonel Bairds headquarters. I'm
the first impulse Of these
daring spies was TO resist, which they
could have done desperately, as they
were both well armed, but the cool
courage Of Colonel Watkins induced
them TO return. Colonel Williams
afterwards stated that he put his hand
on bis pistol to shoot Col. Watkins,
but the hope Of not being detected
caused him 10 desist
After Colonel Watkins had brought
the spies to Colonel Baird's headqaar-
tiers, Colonel b. and Colonel w. ques-
toned them very closely, but could
get no clue to anything that would
raise reasonable suspicion, until Gen.
Rosecrans telegraphed that he had no
such officers in his department.
The prisoners were then Informed
that they were suspected, and were
under arrest until they could proper
y explain themselves. They show
ed correct maps Of oar lines and seem.
ed well acquainted with all the officers
Of the Regular Army. Colonies Baird
and wilkins then searched their per.