Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-04

mouths they were condemned, as was de-
ciaIeu on similar occasion by an American
0ihcer curing the revolutionary war. Col.
balru saw rising before him the painful tack of
executing these handsome and accomplished
ofllcers as COMMON spies. and bis generous and
sensitive nature shrank from the unpleasant
SION or the prisoners-which constituted In
reality their principal task-COl. Baird. search
ing lor some way OF escape, sent the following
dispatch to Gen. Rosecrans:
" FRANKLIN, June 9, 3:25 a.m.-To Gen. Gar
held, Chief OF Staf:-CoL Watkins says that
Col. Williams is first cousin Of Gen. Robert E.
Braggs stan. We are consulting. Must hang
bin? II you can direct me to send him to be
hung somewhere else would like iU; but Ii not,
or DO not hear from you, they win be exc
cuted. This dispatch Is written at the request
OF Col. Watkins, who detained the prisoners.
We are prepared for fight.
-. +. BAIRD, Colonel Commanding Post"
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUM
BERLAND, June 9.-C0l. j. P. Baird, franklin
The general commanding directs that the two
spies. IL found guilty. be hung al once. thus
placing 1t beyond the possibility of Forests
profting by the information they have gained.
FRANK S. BoND. Major and A. D. c.
Franklin, June Q. 1862"
ITO BIigadier General Garfield: VIII you
Williams, who fell at Monterey. Mexico2 l
protest our innocence as spies" A portion OF
The dispatch is illegtble. 1t appears TO be
signed by lawrence W. Auton, formerly L. Au-
this as dying request" The dispatch Is con
cluded by Colonel Baird. who says The men
are condemned and we are preparing for their
execution. They prefer to be SHOT. liz you can
81 p. BAIRD.
"Colonel Commanding Post"
Gen. Garfield remembering the course pur-
sued by Gen. Washington in the case of Major
Andre, refused their request TO be shot, and de-
teImiDed that the sentence should be carried
into execution as originally ordered. He knew
a IA limo ~ fhpfr Of
connection with. or relation to- the Washington
family. Colonel Williams made most touch
Ing and earnest appeal, first for his cousin,
Lieutenant Peter, who was his companion and
associate Ia the execution OF the plot though
he was not responsible for its original concep-
ton and preparation: second. that they might
ne snot II their death We're fully determined.
Williams alone assumed the responsibility of
the scheme, whatever 1t might have been,
and Peter had been led into iC by his attach
ment for his elder and more experienced com.
panl0n In arms, who had In the beginning iu-
duced him to desert home and friends ana fol-
low the fortunes OF the so-called southern
Confederacy. at O'Clock a. M. Capt. Alex
ANGER reported the gallows ready. The troops
OF the garrison and vicinity, including infantry,
cavalry ana artillery, which were under arms
curing the morning, were disposed in aQ open
square around the spot assigned for the ekecu-
t1on. guard conducted The prisoners. who
behaved with the greatest possible GOODNESS
an0 self possession, through the gateway OF
The Tort, 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. Lieut. Peter was
almost overcome with grief and terror as he
looked upon the scene, but Col. Williams
promptly restored his courage by saying, DRY
those tears and die like a man" Taking their
places upon tue cart Capt Alexander tied
linen handkerchief over the face OF each one
and adjusted the ropes They then asked per-
mission TO take last farewell, which was
granted. ClaSping Peter In his arms Williams
said, Good by, Peter: let US die like brave
men." Many OF the spectators turned away In
tears. at 1890 O'Clock On the morning OF the
hlDth day or June, 1868, the following brief dis
patch from Col Baird to Gen. Rosecrans an
nounced The fact that the last act in this terri
Ole and bloody tragedy had been performed.
FRANKLIN, June 9--1030 a. m TO General
GARFIELD, Chief OF staff: The men have been
tried, found guilty and executed IN compliance
WIN Your order. am ever yours.
81. P. BAIRD,
colonel Commanding Post