Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-09-22
Iargan's Assaasin.tIon-H.. BetT.ysr

the following nnic alton from an officer cf the Con
ederate army relative to the circumstances atterdsg
The death of the lamented Morgan: The elder Mrs
Williams stands viDdicated before the world from any
compicity in this foul deed OF assassira on and WI
sincerely trust for the honor of woman, that the peal
relative Of TIE name" may also be able to clear
her skirts Of tie damning charge, which, ii true, viii
send her far down the tide of time loaded with the
excavations of every paffiot ia the land:
BRISTOL, Sept. 9Th, 1864.
Editors Lynoh6urg Republican IN the account OF
Gen Morgan's death given in your paper of the 7th
inst, you sag that Gen. Morgan, with his ''s had his
headquarters at the house of Mrs. Williams in Green
vo AID On Saturday ght she determined to betra7
her guest and have him murdered With this view,
she left the house at early hour in the night ard
rode to Bulls Gap to inform the enemy of Morgan'e
position, &c.
| You elso say that Mrs WiliiAms' husband is on
| Burnsdes st&ff
This statement does cruel inustic. to Mrs Williams
"h0 is 80 old lady AID a widow-sho has extended as
much warm hearted hospitality to our officers and pri
Yates any in the Confederacy--Rbo has ever
been ready to sym pahze With cur soldiers in their
suffering ano to relieve their wants
| She is heightened Southern woman, true patriot
aud the last person in the world to betray guest
She has herself g SOD, officer, in our cavalry.
The fret intimation Mrs. Williams had OF the enemy
was aftar trey were on her premises. She at once
reused Gen Morgan from hs sleep, aud urged and aid
ed bis escape from the house. No in the land has
bean struck with gret and horror at the
renee than She
Unfortunately there staying with Mrs Williams
the wife of q relative of the same name, Who's
husband s at Knoxville, though be has never been in
tine Federal service She has two brothers. both O
whom have been in servce-both of whom are true
ard loyal 10 the South, and one Of whom rs most
gallant cavalry officer in Northern Virginia,
Morgan arrived 90 Saturday evening, and this young
or Mrs. Williams left the house after She was
frequently absent at other times, having siserin law
in the place whom she often visited she may have ab
santed eTsef simply to be out Of the way while the
Confederate ofaers were at the house. sharing doubt
tss in her husbands sentiments. Gen. Morgan was ap
prz Of her absence and suspected at that she
mad gone to communicate with the enemy. have seen
evidence that SIZE did go She may or she may not
bave done 1t not like her to do SO. Nor was
it ssary for her to give the Information. Thre
enough others to do it. All around 10 full view of the
house and grounds throughout the town were bitter
tories. Al the foot of toe lot 10 the ouse All ouing
ived the vie OF David Fly, now prisooer 10 our
hands.
Had Morgan been ercamred Oh Boston Common be
7ouid not have been more really in all enemy'5 coun-
ry Dcz2ps Of eyes were on his every movement from
the moment OF his arrival, Instant information was
doubtless sent to the enemy by surer messengers than
feeble woman, ard the way 0peLei and prepared By
willing bands for their approach.
1t was the younger Mrs Williams who was suspec
ted, whether truly or not Of betraying Morgan. She
was herself guest ing the house. The Identity oil
names has led you and your informant to lay this
charge the door Of the generous and kind old lady
whose holCrei guest Gen. Morgan was. l knew her
well-she would have freely laid down her own life
before she would have concerted her hospitality into
trap even for enemy-much rather than have
betrayed to whom and to whose cause sha was re-
ally and truly friend.