Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-04
Such was the, situation in a military point OF

SUN wa tnct situation IN military point or
view, Wneh 'I0l Williams conceived the daring
anu lfeacDerous enterprise which he shortly
aitefWarG undertook. Full OF desire to dis
ungIllsn himself In some bold and dashing
movement, knowing from his experience In
washington how business was conducted and
| orders Issued at the War department, he under
| took to render brilliant service to the
| cause OF secession By entering the lines Of the
union troops and obtaining such Information
as might lead TO magnificent success for the
confederates. As Fort Granger was so desira-
Peter, then serving on the STAFF of Gen. Wheeler,
to join him. Having completed their prepara-
lions, Col Williams and Lieut.. Peter,
DISGUISED IN FEDERAL UNIFORMS,
and mounted on fine horses. with forged Or
GERS. letters and passes Ia their pockets, ap-
preached the entrance to Fort Granger and de-
manded admission at late hour In the after
noon or June S, 1868. Their coming OccaStoned
some surprise, as sk1rmShing had been going
ON constantly for several days 10 almost every
direction, and the fort was practically Invested
py the enemy. However, as they wore Federal
uniforms, and presented orders In regular form
rom the Secretary OF War and from the head
quarters OF the Army OF tie Cumberland at
Murfree sboro', they were admitted, aud upon
their entrance they presented the following
papers, all Of which were forgerte5. They read
as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUrASr GENERALS
Extract Special orders No: 40.
"Iv. Colonel Lawrence w. Auton, cavalry.
United States army, and Acting Special Inspec-
Tor General, Is hereby relieved from duty along
the line OF the Potomac. He Will imme iiately
proceed to the west and m1nutely inspect the
Dc partment OF the Ohio and the Department
of the Cumberland, IN accordance with Special
Inspectors Instructions, Nos. 30, So and l40,
PaymaSter General.
"'F. Major George Dunlop assistant quar-
termaster Is hereby relieved from duty In u e
city. He Will report Immediately 10 Col. Aut III
for duty
'By order of the Secretary OF War.
.'E. d. TOWNSEND
Assistant Adjutant Gen raj.
col Lawrence w. Anton, L. S. A, Special
Inspector General
They also presented the following forged let
Ter from Gen. James \. Garfield Chief OF staff
for the Department OF the Cumberland:
''HEADQUARTBRS DEPARTMENT OF THE Cum
BERLAND, MURFREEsBORO', TENN. May 3d. 1865
colonel: The Major General commanding de.
sires me to say to you that he desires. IL YOU
can spare the time az present, that you Will
inspect his outpOStS before drawing up your
report for the War department at Washington
city.
All commanding officers Of outposts will aid
You In this matter TO the best OF their ability
Ihe General desires me to give his respects
ser7a Isain very respectfully yoqr ooeden'
Volunteer Chief Of STAFF and Acting Adjutaut
General.
"Col. l. W. Auton. Cavalry, Special Inspector
General"
They represented to Col. Baird that they had
oeen surprised oy party OF rebels While TAX
ing dinner at house near Eagiesyilla, little
village some miles distant In the direction of
Mur1reesbOfO'; that their orderlies overcoats
and baggage had been captured and that they
themselves had barely escaped with their lives,
Wnlcn accounted for the TACT that they had at
the time strapped to their saddles citizens over
coats, They represented themselves as being
destltute Tor that reason OF many ne ceSSarv
articles as well as moCey; that they desired
MIC
requested OF Col. Baird loan or $50, which he
advanced 10 Williams at once, taking his
note for that amount After partakiug
or some refreshments and apparently In
the most Cheerful manner, they mounted
tntir horses and started in the direction OF
NASHVILLE. just as they were passing out OF
Tue tort Col. Louis d. Watkins, OF the 9Th Ken
lucky cavalry, entered On horseback. followed
by an orderly. As he passed Williams ne caught
a gliTnps" OF the side of hia face. an1 con.
SciOuSne5S0 OF recognition came over aim, though
ne could not ar once determine or locate tie
individual who had attracted MS attention.
RldlDg up TO Col. Baird, who was near at hand
he inquired who the men were ne met az he
came into the fort. Col. Baird reU,ief s.Vhay
are Inspecting officers OF the United States army
VITO has just been making us q visit" Col
Natklhs remarked that there must be some
mistake acout this. think recognize one If
those as an Old army Of1icar.'
NOW IN TIE CONFEDERATE ARMY
AFTER moments consultation, for there was
no time 10 be lost, Col. Watkins, with his or
mined 10 oVertake Williams and Peter though
the latter were riding rapidly toward Nashville
Giving MS orderly instructions to unsling his
carbiDe as they rode along and to rire on me
men they were pursuing II they refused to re
turn with them, they overlook the self-consti-
tuted inspecting officers about $50 yards from
inc Iort. without betraying any excitement,
IN bland and pleasant tone OF voice, Col. Wat.
klnS rode up TO them and politely requested them
toreturn, as Col Baird desired to see them again
before they went TO Nashville, and sug yeSted
OH no
ITEM Tor their protection on the way. Just as
Andres presence OF mind fOr5Ook hun at the su-
prene moment when he was brought face to
lace with tremendous danger SO these men
tailed ror an Instant to comDrehcnd the sItnq-
ton, and In that instant their doom was sealed.
WlIhams. during the moment when their des
.tns lung IN the b5lance. had some tnlsgtVlng5.
put his land upon his pistol and almost det3r-
miGtd 10 f1Ie upon Watkins put spurs to his
morse, and probably he could have 10 lde mis-
escape without much difficulty; but lulled into
S5tuTny Dy the easy tone and manner or Coz
NafklIS, seeing no others IN pursuit but the
Two i have mentioned, and confident that his
own adroltnesS and Skill would find way out
OF any trouble, ne courteously consented to re
turn 10 the fort. This was al the more re-
markaOie as they were well armed ana
mounted, and their escape was almost certain
LII Ihey Iaoe the attempt. But fate had de-
creed otherwise, AID they returned TO the
!neVltaple destruction. On their way back Col
NatklnS remarked, Gentlemen / Will nor
LI0u0ie you TO ride back TO the fort, but II you
the turnpike, will send for Col Baird and he
can come mere to see you" To this they con-
Sented, ana, having dIsmounted, entered Col.
watkins, tent, where guard without
thelr knowledge, Instantly and quietly
surrounded them. They soon became
nervous ana manifested impateuce at the de-
lay caused Oy The nOn-arrival OF Colonel Baird
presently one OF them looking out OF the door
OF Inc tent saw that they were urlsoners
what does this mean. Col. Watkins?" they IL
StaLIly asked 1T MEANS" replied Col. Wat
klls, tnat you are suspected, and Tor the time
Delng you are prisoners. III you are what van
represent yourselves 10 be- you VIII only be de-
lay I'd short time; but We must be CONVINCED
OF That TACT before you are released TneF
stOIHec ana Tayed greatly, ana threatened to
dtLOunce Colonies Watkins and Baird to me
Secretary OF " ar Tor the outrage they were Der
petratlng IN delaying officers on special duty
LON Washington. but the cool demeanor OF
COL Watkins was proof against all such Demon
sLrauoDS. While this conversation was in pro-
GreSS Col Baird entered. LET me see TOur
papers again, please" said he TO Col Williams
The papers, letters ana orders we're glanced
SAID: LET me see your sword, please" Re
alZlng the peril OF their Situation and
becoming greatly alarmed, they both protested
against what they called al insult, but
lnolng resistance useless they submitted: the
sword was drawn by Col Baird from its scab-
Oar0, and upon Its blade the tell-taEe words
were etched, Lieut.. W. G.. Peter. c. S a. s'Let
NE iook at your cap, please" Col Baird said
again the cap was removed, the white II an.
mel haVerlock lifted, and again the same CHAR
acIeIs appeared on the facing. TIE same ar
ucles worn py Col. Williams we're examined
ana similar revelations made They were
Epfe rOr