The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-06-20

Fer Right 10 kisat siEca .dis God;
And Right the dsy nu-, ~ia; ~
To doubt wood he disloy atty,
To faiter would be SIN :"
TI1M wAx.
EXECUTION OF TWO CwFsDsRAIR cTFIcsRs A
sPI:S TRIAL By DRUM HEAD COURT MAhTIAL-
THk C. A,Lsf:s WITS WHICH rakY MaIT THAR
D1ATa
We have published a briaf notice of the
execution of Captain Lawrence Williams and
Lieutenant w. u. Peter, Of General Bragg
army, by the order of Gen. Rosecrans, at
Franklin, Tenn, on the 9Th instant. They
entered the Federal iiaes dressed In Federal
uniforms, with their Confederate caps covered
with white flannel have,ocks. Captain Viii
tin, u. s. A., and Lieutenant Peter assumed
the character of Msjor Dunlap, beth repre-
senting themselves as Infpactors General
They deceived Col Baird, the commandant Of
the post, and had gotten three miles ON their
way to Nashville, when he, suspeeting their
character, sent message for them to return,
as he wished some further conversation with
them. This they politely consented to do,
and were thus made prisoners. Gen. Rcse-
Grams was then telegraphed, and replied that
there were no such officers in his army. From
letter written by the Surgeon of the S5ih
Indiana to the Nashville Press We get the
above facts and these still more painful ones
that follow:
Long before the dispatch was receives how
ever, every one who had an opportunity OF
hearing their conversation was we'll satisfied
that they we're spies; smart "a they were, they
gave frequent and distinct evidence of dupii-
city. Alter this dispatch came TO hand, which
it did about l2 clock, (miSniI ht J search of
their persons was ordered. To this the Major
consented without opposition, but the Colonel
protested against 1t, and even put his hand to
his arms. But resistance was useless, and
both submitted. When the Majors sword was
drawn from tho scabbard there were found
etched upon it these words: .Lieut w. q.
Peter, G. y. Al AT this discovery Col. Baird
remarked, Gentlemen, you have played this
1t came aear being a perfect success' They
then confessed the whole matter, and upon
fusthax aeareh HaxioQa papers showing their
quilt were tdi8cOvered upon their persOnS.s-
Lieut. Peter was found to have on a rebel cap,
secreted by the white flannel have!ock.
Col Baird immediately telegrsphed the facts
to Gen. Rosecrans, and asksd what he should
do, and in ehort time received an order ''to
try them by drum head Court Martial, and if
found guilty hang them immediately" The
Court was convened, and before daylight the
case was decided and the prisoners informed
that they must prepare for immediate death
by hanging.
~ daylight men were detailed to make q
scafiold. The prisoners were visited by the
chaplain of tho 18th l!linoia, who, upon their
request, administered the sacrament to them.
They also wrote some letters to their friends,
and deposited their jswelry, silver cups. and
ether valuabtes, for transmission to their
friends
The uailows was constructed by wild cher.
rv tree not far from the depot, and in very
pablic place. Two ropes hung dangling from
the bsam, reaching within eight feet OF the
ground. A little after nine o'clock A. NJ, the
whole garrison was marshalled around the
place of execution in solemn sadness Two
poplar cotins were lying few feet away
Twenty minutes paat nine the guards conduct
el the pfiaoners to the scgffold-ti ey walked
firm and steady, az if uumindful OF the fearful
prscipice which they we've approaching: The
guards did them the honor to march with Al Ms
reversed.
Arrived at the place Of execution, they step
ped upon the platform of the cart and took
Il -
Captain Alexander, then tied a linen haadker-
chief over the face Of each and adjusted the
ropse. They then asked the privilege OF bid
ding a last farewell, which being granted
they tendsrly embraced each other. This over.
the cart moved from under them, and they
hung in the air. What u fearful pesalty.- -
They swung of at 9:30-in two minutes tha
Lieutenant ceased to struggle: The Colonel
caught hold of the rope with beth hands and
raised himself up at thass miuqies, and ceased
to struggle at i've minutes At ak minutes
DR.. Forester, Surgeon 9th Kentucky cavalry
and Ds. Moss, 18th Illinois Infantry, and my
self who had been detailed t. examine the
bodies, approached them aud found the pulse
OF both full and strong. At seven minutes
the Colonel shrugged his shoulders. The
pulse Of each continued TO beat seventeen
minutes, and At twenty minutes all signs
of life had ceased Tho bodies were cul
down at thirty minutes and encotiine1 ia full
dress. The Colonel was buried with gold
Iooket and chain on his neok The locket con
taiued the portrait ana braid Of hair OF biz
intended wife--her portrait was also IN hii
vest pockst-ahese were buried with him as
his request. Both men were buried In shs
same grave-companiOnsi 10 life, aud now com
panions in the grave.
should have etated In another place that Inc
prisoners did not want their punishment de-
taved: but well knowing the consequences u
their aese, even before their trial asked to have
the sentsnoe, be it hanging or shooting, quickly
decided and executed. Bat they deprecated
the idea of death by hanging, and asked for q
oommusation Of the sAntsnce to shooting.
The elder and leader Of these unfortunate
men was Lawrence Williams, OF GeorKetOwa
ID. C. He was - tins looking I. man ~ have
ever seen, about six Ssee hign, ana Refnafi
thirty years old. He was son Of Capssar