The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-10-16
A STORY OF WAR TIMES.
Just as 1t Was Printed as News Near
ly Thirty Years Ago.
HEADQUARTERS Posi-,


ly Thirty Years Ago.
HEADQUARTERS Posr,
FRANKLIN, Tenn, June 8, 1868.
Last evening about shutdown two
strangers rode into camp and called
at Colonel Baird's headquarters who
presented unusual appearances. They
had on citizens overcoats, Federal
regulation pants and caps. The caps
were covered with white flannel have
locks. They wore side arms and
showed high intelligence. One claim
ed to be colonel in the United States
army, and called himself Colonel Aus
tin; the other called himself Major
Dunlap, and both represented them
selves as inspect general OF the Uni
ted States army. They represented that
they were now out on an expedition
IN this department inspecting the out
posts and defenses, and that day be-
fore yesterday they had been over
hauled by the enemy, and lost their
coats and purses. They exhibited Of
fetal papers from General Rosecrans,
and also from the War Department
at Washington, confirming the rank
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 Baldwin loaned them the
money. and took Colonel Austin's
note for it. Just at dark they started,
saying they were going to Nashville,
and took that way. Just as soon as
their horses heads were turned, the
thought of their being spies struck
Colonel Baird, he says, like thunder
bolt, and he ordered Colonel Watkins,
OF the Sixth Kentucky Cavalry, who
was standing by, to arrest them i'm
mediately. But they were going at
lightning speed. Colonel Watkins had
no time to call guard, and only with
his orderly set out on the chase
He ordered the orderly to unsling his
carbine, and if, when he, the colonel,
halted them, they showed any sus-
plclous motions, to fire on them with
out waiting for an order. They were
overtaken about one-third of q mile
from here. Col. 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, ana Col
onel Watkins led them to his tent,
where ne placed strong guard over
them. 1t was not until one of them
attempted to pass the guard at the
door that they suspected that they
were prisoners. Colonel Watkins i'm
mediately brought them to Colonel
Baird under strong guard. They at
-. once manifested great uneasiness, and
acknowledgement Indignation at being
thus treated. Colonel Baird frankly
told them that he had his suspicious
OF their true character, and that they
should, if loyal, object to no neces-
sary caution. They were very hard
to satisfy, and were in 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 Gen. Rosecrans, and
received the answer that he knew
nothing OF any such men, that there
We're no such men in his employ nor
had mis- pass.
Long before this dispatch was re-
celved, however, every one who had
an opportunity of hearing their con-
versation was we'll satisfied that they
were spies. Smart as they were, they
gave frequent and distinct evidence OF
duplicity. After this dispatch came
to hand, which it did about IL o'clock
(midnight), a search of their persons
was ordered. To this the major con-
sented without opposition, but the
colonel protested against it, and even
put his hand to his arms. But resis-
tance was useless, and both submit
ted. When the major sword was
drawn from the scaddard there were
found etched upon it these words:
Lieut.. w. G. Peter, C. S. A." At this
discovery Colonel Baird remarked,
Gentlemen, you have played this
EYES," said Lieutenant Peter, .and
1t came near being perfect success"
Then they confessed the whole matter,
and upon further search various pa
pers showing their guilt were discov-
cred upon their persons. Lieutenant
Peter was found to have on rebel