National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-05


this Office and that ofthe paymaster- general.
| V. Major George Dunlop. assistant quartermas
ter, is hereby relieved from duty in this CITY,. II
viii report Immediately to Colonel Auton for dut,
N-Ns' - '--S +. d. TowsEND,
| Assistant Adjutant- General
| Colonel LAWRENCE W. AUToN,
United States Army, Special Insp-Gen.
| For some reason, which has never been satisfac
toriiy explained, far as have been able to learn
Williams changed his name when he Joined til
Southern army. Usually his signature was L. Or
ton Williams, but sometimes William L. Auton, O
Orton. His correct name was William orion Vii
iaTnS, The OrtOn was taken from the name of on
OF the branches of the Lee family in England
which was known as the Horton, and subsequent
as the 'ortOn branch, whose arms are given in tn
genealogy of that family. 1t becomes easy, how
ever, to descend from one miserable subterfuge o
falsehood to another, and so these young men as
sumed names which did not belong to them for tn,
purpose of carrying forward their base and treach
erous designs. The following is the forged orde
under which Dunlop, alias Peter, acted:
WAR DEPARTAENT,
ADJCTANI-tfESERAES OFFICE, -
WASHINGTON, ID. C., May p, 1863.
Extract sioeeial Orders, No. Iio.
VI. Major George Dunlop, assistant quartermas
ter is hereby relieved from duty in this city. He
will report Immediately 10 Colonel Aut0n, special
By order OF the Secretary of War.
Z. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant djutant- General.
Major GEORGE DUNLOP.
Assistant Quartermaster, on special dutx---
They also presented the following forged iette,
from General James A. Garfield, chief of staff fol
the Department Of HE Cumberland:
HEADQEaRTERs DEP aRr.IENT CUMBERLAND.
MuRFREEsBaRe, Tenn, May -, 1858.
COLONEL: The major general commanding de-
sreS me TO say 10 you that he desires, II you can
spare the time at present that you Will inspect his
outp0stS before drawing up your report for the
War Department at Washington city.
All commanding officers of oHtpOsts will aid you
in this matter to the best of their ability.
The general desires me TO give his respects to
you. remain, very respectfully, your obedient
servant. J. A. GARFIELD,
Xolunteer Chief of staff and A. A. G.
Colonel L. W. AUTON,
Cavalry, Special Inspector General.
These documents were inclOsed in an unofficial
envelope, upon which was written the address
Colonel L. ". Auton, Cavalry, Inspector General
United States Army" and across its face the fol-
lowing forged pass:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT CUMBERLAND,
MUEFREEsBoR0, May 80, 1868.
All guards and outposts will Immediately pass
without delay Colonel Auton and his assistant,
Major Dunlop.
By command of Major General Rcseerans;
Volunteer Chief of staff and A. A. G.
There were two unusual features about these doc
lumeuts, which would have been noticed by an ex-
perienced officer. One was that printed forms
were used for such orders, whilst the above were
entirely in manuscript. Another WIS the fact that
General Garfield was not an assistant adiutant-
general. But. as Colonel Baird was not thoroughly
conyeFSant with military forInalitieS, these dis
were overlooked. their statements were
accepted as true, and they were permitted to go
through the fort and give it thorough inspection.
In the mean time they represented to Colonel
Baird that they had been surprised by party of
rebels while taking dinner at house near Eagles
vile, a little village some miles distant in the
direction of Murfreesboro, that their orderlies,
oTereoats and baggage had been captured, and
that they themselves had barely escaped with
their lives which accounted for the fact that they
had at the time strapped to their saddles citizens
Overeoats.
THEY REPRESENTED THEMSELVES
rs being destitute for that reason of many neces-
sary articles as well as money, that they desired
very much TO go 10 Nashville that night, and re-
luested of Colonel Baird a loan of $50, which he
advanced to Williams at once, taking his note for
that amount. After partaking of some refresh
ments, and apparently in the most cheerful man
ner, they mounted their horses and started in the
direction of Nashville. Just as they were passing
put ofthe fort Colonel Louis D. Watkins oft 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
of recognition came over him,
-hough ne could not at once determine or locate
he individual who had attracted his attention
Ridingup to Colonel Baird, who was near at hand,
le inquired who the men were he met as he came
into the fort. Colonel Baird replied: They are
officers of the United States army, who
nave just been making Us a visit Colonel Wat
iins remarked that there must be some mistake
lbout this.
THINK RECOGNIZE ONE OF THOSE
Den as an old army officer ROW in the confederate
amy" Alter moments consultation, for there
vas no time to be lost, Colonel Watkins, with his
lrderly. Immediately started in pursuit determined
o overtake Williams and Peter, though the latter
we're riding rapidly toward Nashville. Giving his
orderly instructions to uuslng his carbine as they
ode along and to fire on the men they were pur-
uing if they refused to return with them they
the self-constituted inspecting officers
about six hundred yards from the fort.
Without betTaying any excitement, in a
bland and pleasant tone of voice, Colonel
Watkins rode up to them and politely requested
hem to return, as Colonel Baird desired to see
hem again before they went to Nashville, and
IIggeSted that perhaps an escort should be fur
liShed them for their protection on the way. Just
Is Andres presence of mind forsook him at the
upreme momentwhen hewas brought face to face
With a tremendous danger, so these men failed for
IN instant TO comprehend the situation and in that
Instant their doom was sealed. Williams during
he moment when their destiny hung in the bal
nee, had some misgivings put his hand upon his
oistol and almost determined to fire upon
WATKINS, PUT SPURS TO HIS HORSE.
nd probably he could haYe made his escape with
ut much difficulty; but lulled into security by
he easy tone and manner of Colonel Watkins, see
ng no others in pursuit but the two I have
Mentioned, and confident that his own adroitness
nd skill would find way out Of any trouble, he
consented to return to the fort. This
7as all the more remarkable, as they were well
rmed and mounted, and their escape was almost
ertain if they made the attempt But fate had
ecreed otherwise and they returned to inevitable
destruction. On their way back Colonel Watkins
&" Gentlemen, viii not trouble Won to
ide back to the fort, but if you will halt at my
quarters, which are near the turnpike, 1 viii
end for Colonel Baird, and he can come here TO
ee YOU" To this they consented, and having
smounted. entered Colonel Watkins tent, where
guard, without their knowledge, Instantly and
uetly surrounded them. They soon became
ervous and manifested impatienee at the DELAY
aused by the non arrival of Colonel Baird Pres
ntly one OF them, looking ont at the door of the
emf, saw that they were prisoners. What does
his mcar, Colonel Watkins? % theyinstantly asked
1t means" replied Colonel Watkins, that you
re suspected, and for the time being
Yog ARE PRISONERS
you are what you represent yourselves to be you
nh only be delayed short time; but we must be |
onvinced of that fact before you are released" |
hey stormed and rayed greatly, and threatened
} denounce COlonels Watkins and Baird to the !
ecretary of War for the outrage they were perpe-
,ating in delaying officers on special duty from !
Washington, but the cool demeanor of Colonel !
Watkins was proof against all such demonstrations
Thile this conversation was in progress Colonel |
aird entered. LET me see your papers again |
lease" said he to Colonel Williams. The papers |
etters, and orders were glanced over and re-