The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-06-11

TIE FRAEKLIN SPIzs.--We oonversed
yesterday with an intelligent officer Of
Che army stationed at Franklin, and
other gentlemen from that place; relative
TO the spies who were arrested there and
hung. The facts in the case are substan-
TALLY as follows:
The two men, dressed In Federal uni
form, and on horseback, approached our
pickets just after shutdown, with forged
passes, representing themselves to be
Federal officers. A guard was detailed
to accompany them to the headquarters
of Dol. j. B. Baird, Commander Of the
Post They informed him that they
were Col. Orion, Inspector General and
Major Dunlap, Assistant, and had orders
from Adjutant General Townsend, at
Washington, and Gen. Halleck's order,
TO inspect the outposts. They remained
with Col. Baird short time, stfolled
through the Notifications, and finally
made known their determination TO pro.
coed TO Nashville Immediately. They
were soon ready and started, when upon
consultation with other officers, Colonel
Baird determined to send after and de-
tain them. Col, Watkins, of the 7th
Kentucky Cavalry, went in pursuit Of
and having overtaken them, urged them
TO remain during the night, as it might
be dangerous for them to travel at night,
they might fall into the hands of the reb-
els. They replied that they had no fears
in that quarter, but upon Col. Watkins
insisting on their remaining they assem-
ted, and returned with him to his tent.
After few moments conversation, Col,
Watkins withdrew from the tent and
left them alone, calling guard to see that
they did not escape. Subsequently they
were taken to the headquarters OF Col.
Baird, and subjected to rigid cross ex-
animation. Their papers were scrutini-
zed, and inquiries made of Gen. Rose
Grams touching them. The General re-
piled promptly, that they were spies,
perhaps, and ordered court martial to
ascertain the facts. Put to the test, they
confessed that they were officers in the
rebel army. Orion admitted that he was
a spy, and that he embarked in the
hazardous enterprise knowing the con-
sequences of detection - consequences
which he was ready to meet, but made a
touching appeal in behalf of Dunlap, his
Adiutant, whom he had induced TO share
his fortunes. They were convicted and
hung as stated by us yesterday. They
met their fate in the coolest and mos
courageous manner, embracing each Other
just before the fatal drop. The Adiu'
tant died without astruggle---the Colono
died hard, writhing apparently in agony
at one time seizing the rope with hi
hands and attempting to pull himself up
Orion wrote letters to his wife and sew
eral others. He claimed to be kinsmal
Of Gen. r. Il. Lee CT the rebel army, ant
is said to have been chief of artillery il
| Bragg's staff Col. Watkins recollecte'
him. He had small book, cavalry tao
tics, in which he kept the forged papers
| Upon one Of its lids was pasted piec
of white paper, on which was writtel
Lawrence w. Orton, Colonel Confederat
Cavalry. This was torn of, and beneat
it was found written on another wrap
per, Lawrence w. Orion, United State
Army. He was lieutenant in the U. 5
Army, and wrote his name then L. ortO
Williams. 8MN&
He borrowed $50 from Col. Baird, o
the plea that be had lost his baggage /
escaping from rebels whom they encoun
, tered whilst on their way to Franklin.
These men incurred the penalty of tn
law. They knew what would be the for
( felt, if their adventure failed, and the
; paid it. Although there could be no sym
) pathy for them, the gallant soldiers an
e others who witness ed their executiO
Q gave no sign of exultation. The oScasio
Q was a solemn one, and they respected
a as such.
. 1t appears singular that the spies shOul
Q have risked SO much for SO little. III
Qualifications Of Franklin are not of suil
n cient importance to justify such lis
o They must certainly have had 9th
8 fields in view--Nashville and Murfreei
: borO, perhaps. They were thwarte
t however, and let us hope that the swi
s punishment meted to them will deter OIL
ers from following in their footsteps.