The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-06-26
By DRUM-HEAD oOURr.MARTIAL.
A Thrilling Episode of IN. Ctvu war.

When Gen. Bragg established his
headquarters at Murfreesboro he had a
most brilliant staff around him. None
among them, however, could compare
with Col Orion. lately transferred from
the Army Of Virginia, and who now
held the position OF Inspector General
with the rank Of Colonel He was tall
ard had physique not often equaled,
rarely If ever excelled. Added TO the
grace of his person was a facility of
speech that was truly wonderful. His
tones were full and sonorous, his mind
stored with every species of knowledge,
and all seemed to be at the call of the
owner Graduated in a university and
st West Point, it was supposed that he
was well calculated to shine in society.
But, though possessed of those wonder
ful gifts Of mind and pers ID, he lacked
one thing, and that defect rendered all
his accomplishments of little force in
The army. He was naughty and super
ciious to degree that repealed all in
tercOUrse with his interiors. He was
martinez, and did not hesitate to use
the most opprobrious language toward
those having business with him. He
was 8 spoiled child of fortune. Pos
sessed OF q liberal competence, being
connected with the highest families il
the uation-he was an own cousin to
Gen. Robert Z. Bee-he thought no
enc good enough for his associate. The
result of this unfortunate disposition
rendered him exceedingly unpleasant to
al grades of military rank, and thus it
was he was transferred from one depart
nent to another, no General being will
ing to keep him long and be responsible
for his conduct. On this account he
became soured toward every one and
acquired a recklessness that at last led
to miserable end. His true name was
Laurence Williams, and l have no
means of knowing why he changed II
10 Orion, as he sometimes signed it.
But change it he did, and, while in the
South, he signed himself Laurence
Williams Orion. ..1e.a
At the beginning of the war he was
the confidential aid of Gen. Winfield
Scott, but Just before the battle of
Manassas frankly acknowledged to his
chief his Southern proclivities, and told
him ne could not bear arms against his
native State of Virginia. He was, how
ever, too much in the confidence of Gen.
Scott to be released, and so the General
sent him to Fort Warren and there con-
fined him until information would be
harmless. He remained immured in
prison for three months, when he was
freed and sent through the lines. His
brilliant accomplishments, his martial
bearing and his high connection gave
him prestige that at once secured him
q hearty welcome and ready promo
ton; and, but for his unfortunate tenn
Per, he would have made an ornament
TO the South, for he possessed unques-
tienable military talent and courage.
About the 1st of June he was honor
ably dismissed from the military family
Of Gen. Bragg, and. in company with a
young man, his Adjutant, Lieut.. W. G.
Peter, of Baltimore, deliberately, and
without the knowledge of any one, made
the daring attempt of inspecting the
Gutposts of the Federals. This attempt
was never understood. 1t could not
have resulted in anything of value to
the Confederacy, and was, of course,
fraught with the most serious conse-
QueBces. 1t was asserted by them, il
their last moments, to have been an
effort to pass into the lines for the pur-
pose of reaching their Northern homes. |
The true reasons will never be known,
rs the unseemly and fearful haste with
which their fate was decided gave them
no time to bring to their aid the infu-
ence of friends or reason. l am dis
posed to believe it was only thought
less and reckless attempt to do some ro- |
mantle action that, from its very hardi- |
hood. would reflect a sort of notoriety |
upon men soured by disappointed am
oition.
There seems to have been an unac-
countable fatality about the whole trans |
action. Their daring action bid fair to |
succeed, aud, doubtless, would have |
done so, but for the recognition of an |
old school-fellow; for though, according |
TO the author quoted below, the sus-
picion Of the men being spies is attrib- |
uted to Col Baird, I have seen numer- |
Gus persons who, from conversation with |
Col. Watkins himself, learned that he |
suggested 70 Col Baird the idea that he |
had recognized Orion at once, but, from |
the change of name. he at first failed to |
remember him as Williams.
As to the particulars attending the ex- |
ecution, herewith give a most graphic
and thrilling account of the whole /
affair, from an eyewitness. a Surgeon I
Of the Thirty-ffth Indiana, and l give
it as nearly as possible in his own Ian
guage. The point mentioned where !
Col. Watkins overlook the spies is !
small branch running between the fort |
on Figures Hill and the Nashville turn
pike, and the headquarters, where they |
were taken, is Maney's, now DR.. Parks |
house.
AN ACCOUNT RY AN EYEWITNESS.
Last evening, June g, 1861 about shutdown, |
two strangers rode into camp and called at Col |
RSird's headquarters in Franklin, Tenn, who |
presented an unusual appearance. They had
on citizens overcosts, Federal regulation pants
and caps. The caps were covered with white /
flannel havelocks They wore side-arss, and
showed high intelligence. One claimed to be |
Colonel in the United States army, and called |
himself Col Austin; the other called himself |
Mai Dunlap, and both represented themselves
a. Inspector Generals OF the United states
NrmY They represented that they were then
cut on an expedition in this department IN /
Epectng the outposts and defenses, and thatday
before yesterday they had been overhauled by
the enemy and had lost their coats and purses
They exhibited official papers from Gen. Rose
IN 9 great hurry 10 get of Col Baird tola
them he had them under arrest, and thst he
should hold them prisoners until be was saus-
ned that they were what they purported to be.
Re Immediately telegraphed to Gen Rosecrans,
AID received the answer that he knew nothing
Grams, and also from the War Department at
Washington, confirming their rank and bust
ness. These were all right to Col. Baird, and
be felt satisfied Of their honesty. They asked
the Colonel to lend them $50, as they had no
coats and no money TO buy them. Col Baird