National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-13

were grooming their horses, and from |
their conversation IL appeared they were
"Jessie's scouts,p and tho two men hung,
as above stated, were their comrades.
They TESTED and laughed over tho fact
shat the two had been such fools as to
permit themselves to be corralcd. These
fellows, II am not mistaken, were
THE aAMEsr SET OF DARE-DEv1Ls
in Custer's division.
l wish to refer to a case that occurred
in the western army, because one of tho
parties hung was my schoolmato at the
Upperville military academy, Fauquier
county, Va, in 1878. Just before or
after the battle of Chickamauga, l forget
which, Gen. Bragg was anxious TO get
certain information as to tho position of
divisions in the army Of Gen. Roscorans.
Col. Orion Williams, graduate of
West Point, formed the bold de-
sign of entering the federal lines and
making the round OF the camps as an
inspector from headquarters. lie accord
.ingly dressed in tho complete uniform Of
federal colonel and staff officer and taxi
ing with him Lieut.. Gibson Potor, his
cousin, Of Montgomery county, Nd, as
sdjutant, no made his way into the
onemy's lines and proceeded to inspect tho
different brigades at the point whore the
desired information was obtainable. Will
iams's perfect familiarity with West Point
methods favored his design. He was shown
around the camps of the regiments by
tho colonies, and having learned what he
came for, took dinner with a jovial colo
mel, who had no idea that he was not
what he represented himself to bean
inspector general. After dinner Williams
and Peter mounted their horses, and
wore soon almost beyond danger, rejoice
| ing at having accomplished their mission
with complete success. But there's many
slip, &c. Now, there was federal
West Point officer at the dinner
who recognized Williams's features,
and was puzzling his brains
to remember where he had met him. The
twain had not been gone ton minutes be-
fore 1t flashed upon his memory who
Williams was. and that he was an officer
in the confederate army. Mounting his
horse, and accompanied by an orderly, he
code with headlong haste after the de-
parted guest and unfortunately overlook
them. He informed Williams that the
colonel had requested him to return for q
few minutes, as there was important addi'
tional information he would like to have
20 to headquarters. Williams was annoyed
but unsuspicious Of danger, and deemed
it best to comply with the request. Once
arrived at the camp the Jig was up. The
two oonfederates wero arrested, and Will
Jams acknowledged his name when called
by it. Had he been little more sus
picious at tho outset he could have sho
tho officer who recalled him, and easil,
escaped. The result is soon told
Gen. Garfield, then adjutant genera
of Gen. Rosecrans, ordered thei
immediate execution, and 1t wa
obeyed, though Williams pleaded hare
for Peter, whom he said he had led int
this scrape, and l know that ho told tn
truth, as Williams was Older than hi
cousin, who was devotedly attached I
him. 1t was hard lines to die in tn
manner they did, but then, you know
military necessity is military necessity.
The bodies of the two Inflated officer
now lie in one grave in the Congressiona
cemetery. THos. ]. MURRAY.