Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-13
neWsphper tne IOIIOWIHB'
HEADQUARTERS Posi-,

"&SG%pee Gpeea from im 3
the following:
HEADQUARTERS PosT,
FRANKLIN, Tenn. June 9, 1853
Last evening about sundown two strangers
rode into camp and called at Colonel Baird's
headquarters, who presented unusual appear
ances. They had ON citizens overcoats, Federal
regulation pants ard calss. The caps were
covered with white flannel hayelocks; Ihey
wore side arms and showed high Intelligence.
One claimed to be Colonel in the United States
army, and called himself Colonel Orton, the
other called himself Major Dunlap, and both
representing themselves as Inspector Generals
Of the United States army. They exhibited
official papers from General Rosecrans, and also
from the War Department at Washington, con-
Hrming their rank and business. These were all
right to Colonel Baird and at first satisfied him
of their honesty. They asked the Colonel to
loan them $50, as they had no coats and no
money to buy them. Colonel Baird loaned them
the money, and took Colonel Orton's note for 1t.
Just at dark they started, saying they were go
ing TO Nashville, and took that way.
Just as soon as their horsess' heads were
turned, the thought Of their being spies struck
Colonel Baird, he says, like thunderbolt, and
he ordered Colonel Watkins, OF the Sixth Ken.
lucky Cavalry who was standing by, to arrest
them immediately. But they were going at
lightning speed. Colonel Watkins had no time
to call guard. and only with his orderly he
set out on the chase. He ordered the orderly
Colonel halted them they showed any suspi-
cious motions, to fire on them without waiting
for an order. They were overtaken about one
third Of mile from here. Colonel Watkins told
them that Colonel Baird wanted to make some
further inquiries Of them and asked them to
return. This they politely consented to do,
after some remonstrance on account OF the
lateness OF the hour and the distance they had
to travel, and Colonel Watkins led them to his
tent where he placed strong guard over them.
1t was not till one OF them attempted to pass
the guard at the door that they even suspected
they were prisoners. Colonel Watkins imme-
diately brought them to Colonel Baird under
strong guard They at once manifested great
uneasiness and pretended great indignation at
being thus treated. Colonel Baird frankly told
them that he had suspicious of their true char
acter, and that they should If loyal object to
no necessary caution They were very hard to
satisfy, and were in q great hurry to get off.
Colonel Baird told them that they were under
arrest, and he should hold them prisoners until
he was fully satisfied that they were what they
purported to be. He Immediately telegraphed
to General RosecraIs, and received the answer
that he knew nothing Of any such men there
were no such men In his employ or had his pass.
Long before the dispatch WAS received, how
ever, every one who had an opportunity Of hear
ing their conversation was well sati SIZED that
they were spies. Smartas they We're, they gave
frequent and distinct evidence OF dupicity.
After the dispatch came to hand, which 1T did
about twelve o'clock (midnight) search of
their persons was ordered. To this the Major
consented without opposition, but the Colonel
protested against 1t, and even put his hand to
his arms. But resistance,was useless. and both
submitted. When the Majors sword was
drawn from the scabbard there were foInd
etched upon 1t these words: alt. w g. Peter,
G. s. Al At this discovery. Colonel Baird re-
dd Veil ssd fGs eaSs RsEsa Ps
it came near being perfect success" They
then confessed the whole matter, and upon
further search various papers showing their
guilt were discovered upon ttheir persons
Lieutenant Peter was found to have on rebel
cap, secreted by the white flannel havelock.
Colonel Baird immediately telegraphed the
facts to General Rosecrans and asked what he
should do, and in short time received an
order to "try them by drumhead court-martial
and II found guilty hang them Immediately. !"
The court was convened and before daylight
the case was decided and the prisoners told that
they must prepare for immediate death. At
daylight men were detailed to make q scaffo1d.
The prisoners were visited by the chaplain of
the Seventy Illinois, who, upon their re-
quest administered the sacrament to them.
They also wrote some letters to their friends
and deposited their jewelry, silver cups, and
other valuables for transmission to their
friends.
The gallows was constructed by wild cherry
tree not far from the depot, and in very pub
Lie place. Two ropes hung dangling from the
BEAM reaching within eight feet of the ground.
little after nine o'clock q. m. the whole gar
rison was marshaled around the place OF execu-
tion in solemn sadness Two poplar coffns
were lying few feet away. AT twenty minutes
past nine the guards conducted the prisoners to
the scaffold-they walked firm and steady, as If
unmindful of the fearful precipice which they
were approaching. The guards did them the
honor to march with arms reversed.
Arrived at the place OF execution, they stepped
upon the platform of the cart and took their re-
spective places. The provost marshal, Captain
Alexander, then tied . linen handkerchief
over the face of each and adjusted the ropes.
ThnU then agxad the Ori ivilapa Of hidden n Ia a
farewell which, being granted, they tenderly
embraced each other. This over the cart
moved from under them, and they hung in the
air. What a fearful penaltyi They swung of
to struggle. The colonel caught hold of the
ropes with both hands and raised himself up O,
three minutes, and ceased to struggle at fiv,
minutes. The colonel was buried with a golt
locket and chain on his neck. The locket con
tanned the portrait and a braid of hair of his in
tended wife-her portrait was also in his vest
pocket. These were buried with him at his re
quest. Both men were buried in the same
grave.
Noone questions the identity Of Lieut.
Walter G. Peter, a tall, handsome
young rebel of twenty-five. 1t appears
both from the wartime papers anG
from IL. L. LIS" note in the Arns,
and NGvy Journal that "Colonel Or
ton" was Lawrence A. Williams, sor
of Captain William G.. Williams
United States Typographical Engineer
who was killed at Monterey Septembe
81, 1846. The body of the elder Will
Jams was taken to Buffalo, New York
and, in company with the body Of Cap
tain George 7. Field, Third United
States Infantry, who had been lancet
to death by Mexican cavalry on tn,
fieldof Monterey, while lying wound
ed on the ground after q gallant as
sault, was buried with great ceremon,
by the militia and citizens of Buffalo
Lawrence A. Williams was gradu
ated from the Military Academy il
1852, in the class that entered Yves
Point in 1848, graduating in 1862. Ii
this class were Colonel Casey, Genera
Slocum, Lieutenant jerome N. Bona
parte afterward chef d'escadror
Third Cuirassiers french land Majo
General Alexander Med. McCook
Lieutenant General Sheridan entere,
West Point in the same class. Will
iams rose to be Captain in the Tent
Infantry by regular promotion, and b,
selection was promoted to be Majo
Sixth United States Cavalry. b