National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-15
CORRECTING HISTORY
HOW THE TWO REBEL SPIES DIED.
Another Eyewitness Gives an Interesting Account
Of the Capture and Hanging Of Colonel
Williams and Lieutenant Peter, Of
the District of Columbia.

Referring to the remarkable article
published in THE REPUBLICAN, of the 9TH instant,
from the pen of Colonel Prosser, relative to the
military arrest and execution of Colonel William
orion Williams and Lieutenant Walter Gibson Pc
ter as spies at Franklin, Tenn, in June, 1863 Dr.
Wilson Hobbs, late surgeon of the Eighty-ffth
Indiana Regiment, writes from Knightstown, Ind,
follows: This is the first detail of all the facts
in this tragic occurrence ever published, and the
only account, so far as know, except statement
which made ct the time to the Nashville Times,
and which was copied by most of the newspapers
on this continent and in Europe. HdfpeTs Weekly
of July s. 1863 published this letter. with full page
illustration of the execution, drawn by SOL
der OF the Seventy eighth Illinois Regiment.
l am surprised at the accuracy with which the
writer has stated the facts in this case, SO long
time having interviewed, unless he were, like my
self, an eyewitness TO them all. He has, now
ever, fallen into some errors IN his statement,
which it is the purpose of this communication to
correct. First he says: Just as they were passing
out of the fort (Granger) Colonel Louis D. Wat
kins, of the Sixth Kentucky Cavalry, entered on
horseback, followed only by an orderly. As he
passed Williams he caught glimpse of the side Of
his face, and consciousness of recognition came
over him, though he could not at once determine
or locate the individual who had attracted his at
tentiOn. Coming up to Colonel Baird, who was
near at hand, he inquired
WHO THE MEN WERE
he met coming into the fort. Colonel Baird re-
piled, They are inspecting officers of the United
States army who have been making US a visit
Colonel Watkins remarked, 1 think there must
be some mistake about this. 1 think l recognize
one of these men as an old army officer now in the
confederate army (My paper is torn and de-
faced, but think the quotation is quite or nearly
correctly My remembrance is that Colonel Wat
kins was in the fort when these strangers arrived
or came soon afterward, and that he had all the
opportunities to determine who they were that
Colonel Baird had. Neither Colonel Baird nor Col
Onel Watkins had any suspicion of their
true character until they were mounted
and struck their horses with spurs to depart
l have often heard Colonel Baird say that
when their horses heels struck into the air the
thought came like a thunderbolt that they
were spies, and he Immediately turned to
Colonel Watkins and ordered them brought back
Ny statements are supported by the fact that Viii
liams and Peter were overtaken by Colonel Wat
knS just at the bridge where the railroad crosses
the highway south of the Harpeth, less than one
quarter of mile from Colonel Bairds tent. The
race was too short at the sweeping pace the rebels
were fleeing to have allowed a capture at this
point with the delay the circumstances related by
Colonel Prosser would necessarily have occasioned.
Again, Colonel Williams gave it as a reason that
he did not fire upon Colonel Watkins when halted,
and by this means have made their escape, that
he knew Colonel Watkins, and, knowing him, he
did not wish to kill him. 1t is not likely that he
risked his life thus upon a recognition
MADE BY PASSING GLANCE.
Again, after Colonel Baird sent his message of
inquiry to General Garfield at Murfreesboro', and
before the order to try them by court martial came
to hand period of two or three hours interviewed
During this time Messrs Williams and Peter were
prisoners in Colonel Baird's tent which was sur
rounded by a very strong guard. This interval
was spent in conversation, chiefly between Col
Onels Watkins and Williams, in relation to persons
and affairs about Washington, in the various
attempts of the former to identify the latter, who
made many bold ventures to conceal himself.
When too closely pursued Colonel Williams would
'eply, You will know all about it after WHILE
1y which it was evident that he expected the or
Ter for court-martial and full exposure of the
ruth. All that Colonel Watkins most searching
inquiries developed prior to the court-martial was
hat these gentlemen were from Washington-that
Colonel Williams had been, if he was not then, in
he regular army, and the suspicion of their not
being what their papers made them was only
by the fact of their endeavors to con-
zeal themselves. Colonel Watkins made no claim,
am very sure that he had ever before seen either of
he strangers, but was greatly surprised that he
,ould not recognize and place them.
THIS CORRECTION IS IMPORTANT
nly in the fact that the credit Of the discovery of
he true character of hestrangers may be properly
placed. The writer of the article places the first
bought of danger and suspicion to the credit of
jolOnel Watkins. My knowledge is that it belongs
Wholly to Colonel Baird Both these gentlemen
no dpad-ColoDa1 foil ,rit &c
rmor on before the close Of the war; Colonel
'aird yesterday (March s, 1881, in the Indiana
hospital for the insane after many years of suffer
ng-but history should be true to them notwith- |
landing. Colonel ProSSer states again that after
he arrest Colonel Watkins took the prisoners to |
lis own quarters, and that Colonel Baird went |
ver there to meet them; again examined their |
apers, and afterward their swords, &C. In this he |
certainly wrong. am very sure Colonel Baird did
lot leave his own tent but that as soon as |
,olonel Watkins had procured guard in his own |
amp he went with the prisoners to Colonel |
3aird's tent at the fort. No such indignity was |
,fered them as to draw their swords from their |
cabbards, or demand the uncoverng of their heads |
Until the court martial was convened. Here the |
of the swords and dress was demanded |
md taken this wise: Colonel Baird asked them
o stand up and be examined. They submitted |
o the inevitable without hesitation. My remem-
rance is that Colonel Baird first drew the sword |
# Lieutenant Peter and found it etched w. G.
'eter, P A. C.S. A. His was returned to its place,
nd Colonel Williams in like manner uncovered.
IT EXPOSED THE NAME
nd was marked Shiloh, with some distinguish
ng rebel mark which do not now remember. Up |
0 this time they had not uncovered their heads in
ur presence. They wore caps, covered with white
lavelOcks, which fully concealed the cap and |
covered the shoulder Colonel Baird demanded |
heir caps, which, when stripped of the havelocks,
rovcd of the confederate pattern. The caps were
hen returned to them. During this proceeding
10 word had been spoken. Colonel Baird then ad-
ressed them in these words: Gentlemen, this
vas damned well played Colonel Williams re-
lied: Yes, and it came damned near being a
uecess' The difference of personal courage of
he two men mentioned by the writer of the article
# the 5th instant l do not now remember. My /
ecollection is that the Lieutenant met his fate with
S much resolution and bravery as the Col
mel. They embraced each other very ten
erly, but l heard no words spoken, although |
was not more than twenty feet distant, and |
was my business TO observe all that occurred.
The only words spoken at the place of execution
7ere the expression of thanks by Colonel Viii |
Jams to Colonel Baird for the respect he had |
hown them in having the guard reverse their
inns. Colonel Prosser did not mention in his
tatement regarding the disposition of the re-
Mains for burial; that they were encoffined with
opes still upon their necks, having been cut ten
r twelve inches above the head. Nor does he
ay that two or three hours after the burial the
odies were disinterred for further search, with
he hope that papers concealed in their clothing
night be found which would clear I'D