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

whatever it might have been, and Peter had been
led into it by his attachment for his elder and
more experienced companion in arms, who had,
in the beginning, induced him TO desert home and
friends and follow the fortunes of the so-called
Southern Confederacy. While the preparations
were being made for their execution they wrote
letters to their friends gave directions to the
disposition of their worldly effects and requesting
a visit from clergyman, had the sacrament ad-
ministered TO them by the Rev. Robert
T. Taylor. who was the chaplain of the
Seventy eighth Illinois tInfantry. The dawning
of the day found men at work constructing q
scaffold. This was done wild cherry tree which
stood about one hundred and iifty yards from the
railroad, on the right hand side going south from
Nashville toward Franklin, and q short distance
from the bridge-on the north side-which crosses
Harpeth River. On an eminenee TO the left stood
Fort Granger, where all these sad and solemn
scenes were being enacted The cherry tree stood on
the left bank of a little brook, which makes lis
way short distance below the bridge into the
Harpeth River Captain Julius H. Alexander, of
the Seventh Kentucky Cavalry, and provost mar
shsl of Franklin. was charged with the execution.
II WAS MOST PAINFUL Duty,
and was discharged with extreme regret by all
concerned. Colonel Baird shed tears when he an
nounced the judgment of the court martial and
the order of General Rosecrans to the unhappy
victims in this mournful transaction. Colonel
Watkins took charge oftheir effects, and as me-
mento of old and more pleasant army associations,
he was presented by Williams with the fine black
horse which the latter had ridden into the fort At
lliFie O'clock a. m. Captain Alexander reported the
gallows ready. The troopS of the garrison and
vicinity, including infantry. cavalry, and artil
lery, which were under arms during the morn
ing, were disposed in an open square around
the spot assigned for the execution. A guard
conducted the prisoners, who behaved with
the greatest possible coolneSs and self
possession, through the gateway of the
fort, across an open space OF ground in the rear,
thence across the railway to the cherry tree where
two ropes hung dangling within eight feet of the
ground, ready for the bloody sacrifice so soon to
be offered up Two poplar collins lay in the vicin
ity. DR.. Wilson Hobbs, surgeon of the Eighty
fifth Indiana Infantry Regiment; DR.. William
Forester, of the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry. and DR..
Samuel C. Mess OF the Seventy eighth Illinois
Infantry, were detailed TO pronounce upon the
extinction Of life in the bodies. At $40 o'clock
the guard, marching with arms reversed, arrived
with the prisoners at the place ofexeeuIion. Lieu
tenant Peter was almost overcome with grief and
terror as he looked upon the scene but Colonel
Williams promptly restored his courage by saying,
'DRY THOSE TEARS AND DIE LIKE MAN"
Taking their places upon the cart, Captain Alex
ander tied linen handkerchief over the face of
each one and adjusted the ropes. They then asked
permission TO take a last farewell, which was
granted. clasping Peter in his arms Williams
said, 'Good-by Peter; let us die like brave ncn."
The scene was one of awful soIelnnity. Many of
the spectators turned away in tears unable to look
upon the sorrowftIl sight. The ropes were again
adjusted, the cart moved from under them; they
dropped in the air, and in two minutes
LIEUTENANT PETER CEASED TO STRUGGLE.
At three minutes Williams caught hold of the
rope with both hands and raised himself up, and
III five minutes his struggles also came TO an end
The pulse of each continued 10 beat for seventeen
minutes, at twenty life was extinct, and at thirty
minutes they were cut down and placed, dressed
as they were, in the cofins which had been pre-
pared for them With Colonel Williams
chain around his neck-which contained
the portrait of his intended wife, with
a braid Of her hair, and portrait of the same
person, which he carried in his vest pocket. Lieu
tenant Peter also wore about his neck with gold
chain, locket containing poItraiE of his wife.
Their requests that these lCckets and portraits
should be buried with them were complied with,
and they were consigned the same day to one and
the same grave in the burrying- ground of the
town of franklin. Their effects were sent to Muir
freesboro to be sent through the lines to their
friends.
AT HALF-PAsr TEN O'clock
on the morning of the 9th dag of June, 1865, ese
following brief dispatch from Colonel Baird to
ieneral Rosecrans announced the fact that the last
tin this terrible and bloody tragedy had been |
1er{uned-that eeIouel William Orton Williams |
md Lieutenant Walter g. Petor, hate of the rebel
army, had made all the atonementi it was in their
power to make for the dark and desperate crime |
hey had committed, had expiated their guilt upon |
he scaffold, and that the places which had known |
hem in the heat and strife, the smoke and thun- |
Ter Of battle, should know them no more forever; |
FRANKLIN. June 8, 1G:5O a. m
To General Garfield, Chit OF StdF':
The men have been tried found guilty and exc I
,uted, in compliance with your order. l am ever /
ours, --e.-. J. 2. BAIRD,
Colonel Commanding Post |
The sorrowful story has been told The mourn
III tragedy was complete. The brilliant hopes and I
promises Of early youth and manhood in SO far as
hese young men were concerned, were doomed TO /
nd in shameful and ignominious death as spies
IL a camp where they should have held high CON- /
nand. and as enemies of a country and Govern
nent they should have been proud to assist and .
lefend Williams at least, if not Peter,
lad taken a solemn oath that he
would bear true allegiance to the United
tates of America; that he would serve them
honestly and faithfully against all their enemies
OppUoeES hHdLSOSNCT' ulll lliaL ne H0uiu OD-
erve and obey the orier Of the President of the
jnited States and the orders of the officers ap-
ointed over him, according to the rules and
rticles for the government of the armies of the
Inited States" In utter disregard of this tremen-
ous obligation he had not only abandoned the
ath of patriotic duty himself but had seduced his
ousin into the same course and both had left /
heir homes and friends in the District of Columbia
D engage in d wicked cause, to die an infamous
cath, and
70 PILL AT LAST DIsHOSoRED GRAVE.
Earth to earth, ashes to ashes and dust to dust"
Tas all that could be said by the most tender of
-iends or the most ardent of admirers over the
rave which hid from the light of the sun all that
emained OF two ambitious, highly educated, and
young officers, who forgot the teach
lgs and the example of the iilustrious heroes and
-orthies ofthe Republic, and sought for glory in
he iniquitous paths of slavery and secession
Tho did all this9 is the question which naturally
srees Itself upon US when we remember the un-
Apply occurrences of that gloomy morning. Who
ere the authors and architects of the ruin and
cath which resulted from the attempt to divide
Y imaginary lines communities bound together By
very tie Of language and religion, of public and
rivate interest, feeling, and affection? If Lord
larendon could say, speaking of the death of
ndre, and the war of the Revolution 81 If there
ere no other brand upon this odious and ac-
lrsed civil war than that single loss, it must be
famous and execrable to all poSterity," how
uch more infamous and execrable should be the
eHory of those by whom and through whom the
te war of the rebellion was precipitated upon the
,untryl
Fast Mare.
" Stranger" said the stage-driver, "this
as how found out her speed: was driving
ongside the railroad track Just as a big load of
otel furniture started. The freight car wouldn't
DID it all, but they managed to squeeze every
ling in except big bar mirror, which they tied :
the side Of the car. The mare saw her rehec-
on in the glass and thought it was another mare
,urting for the lead You couldn't have held her.