The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1890-08-22

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"a 49, WA Walter G. Peter
>(E2aA was executed by
- SE5: N.Y. the Union author
n tiles in June, 1853,
opened his career
in the civil war with an affair of the heart
aud ended 1t on the gallows, "all for love. "
Il Is a matter Of astonishment when one
thinks Of 1t that intelligent men should
deliberately place their necks in deadly
moose by taking up the role Of spy. The
laws of war admit Of no evasion. A soldier
found In the opposing lines in disguise, no
matter what his errand, has forfeited his
life. The actions of Williams and Peter,
apd for which they suffered the full pen
atty, were of the boldest and most reckless
known in military history.
While Rosecrans' Army of the Cumber-
land was lying in central Tennessee in the
spring Of 1868 the advance lines extended
from Murfreesboro', on Stones river, to
Franklin, on the Harpeth, thus covering
Nashville, which was the Union base of
supplies. At Franklin the extreme right
was guarded by Fort Granger, large forti-
fcation on bluff 200 feet above the river
and town, and commanding all the bridges
In the vicinity. In front of this fort in
May, 1858, was stationed force of Con-
federate cavalry, under Gen. Earl Van
Dorm, while Wheeler, Forrest and Morgan
were circling about the Union TANKS, seek
ing loose joint in Rosecrans' harness to
thrust a column between his main army
and his base at Nashville.
At Fort Granger, especially, the out
posts were wary, and in fact there was
constant skirmishing between Union
pickets and mounted Confederate scouts
at this point. 1t was therefore with con-
siderable surprise that the videttes before
the fort one evening saw two men in the
uniforms of Union officers riding boldly
up from the direction of the Confederate
camps. On examination it was found
that they bore orders from the Union
secretary Of war and from Rosecrans'
headquarters, and they were admitted and
sent before the commandment, COL John P.
Baird, Of the Eighty-flfth Indiana volun-
teers. The official papers presented to
Col. Baird were as fellows:
WASHINGTON, D. G., May Is, 1868.
Col. Lawrence W. Anton, cavalry United States
army, and acting special inspector general u
hereby relieved from duty along the line Of the
Potomac. He will Immediately proceed to tho
west and infinitely inspect the department Of
the Ohio and the department Of the Cumber-
land" In accordance with special inspectors in
structions Nos. 70, 81 and 14O, furnished him from
sfhie office AMI. that Of the paymaster general
Nal George Dunlop, assistant quartermaster,
IL hereby relieved from duty In this city He
will report Immediately to Col. Anton for duty.
By order of the secretary Of war.
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant adjutant general
Col Lawrence W. Anton, United States Army.
special inspector general.
WAR DEPARTMENT, A. G. o.,
WASHINGTON, D. c., May g. 1868.
Maj. Geor-e Dunlap, assistant quartermaster, is
hereby relit..d from duty in this city. He will
report Immediately to Col. Anton, special inspec-
tor general, for duty.
By order Of the secretary Of war.
t1 ua E. D. TOWNSEND,
@ Assistant adjutant general.
Maj. George Dunlap, assistant Quartermaster on
special duty.
HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
MURFREEsBoRo', Tenn, May 30, 1908.
CoLoNEL-The major general commanding de-
sres me to say to you that he desires, II you can
spare the time at 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.
The general desires me to give his respects to
you.
lam, very respectfully, your obedient servant
]. A. GARFIELD
Volunteer chief of staff and acting adiutant gen.
eral.
Col L. W. Anton, cavalry special inspector gen.
eraL
The envelope containing these papers
bore on its face the following:
HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND.
MuRFREEsBoRo'. May 30, 1858.
All guards and outposts will immediately pass
without delay Col Anton and his assistant, Maj.
Dunlap
By command of Maj. Gen. Rosecrans.
j. A. GARFIELD,
Volunteer chief of staff and assistant adjutant
general.
These documents were all forgeries. The
bearers were Maj. w. o. Williams and
Lieut.. W. G. Peter. of the Confederate
army, and they had come direct from the
enemy's lines. The papers, however, were
skillfully prepared to account for the pres
ence of strangers at that time and place.
The first and second in order gave reason
for new inspectors in the west. They had
Just been relieved from duty east. The
third would show that the commander OF
the department accepted the detail and as
signed duties according to the spirit OF In
structions from army headquarters. Inc
fourth was intended to facilitate access to
forts and camps. The author OF these
papers, COL Williams, had been an officer
OF the United States army when the war