The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-08-05
WAITING FOR SUNRISE.
The Story of Spy who Cheated the Gal
lows.

lows.
We had been in winter quarters since
the list of December and April had come
with its showers and sunshine and bud
ding leaves A campaign had been
planned; re-enforccmcnts were coming
down; the quartcrmasters were working
day and night Every soldier in the army
knew that marching and fighting could
not long be delayed. One day grim old
veteran of the Fifth corps was accosted by
soldier who was not of his regiment.
Something was let drop which aroused his
suspicious, and he communicated them to
an officer. The result was the arrest of
the stranger. The arrest meant nothing
II he was all right-a great deal II he was
what the old veteran suspected
"Your namefn asked the general
Charles Walters" was the prompt re-
ply.
"Your regimentf'
eth Ohio"
"Your captainf"
Captain Bliss"
"What are you doing here'"
Looking for cousin whom heard
had enlisted in the Fifty-eighth New
York"
So far all was well. The prisoner was
but boy and as the kind hearted gen.
eral looked at him he felt pity for the dear
old mother in some PARKWAY home, whose
hours were fun of anxiety for the lad who
had marched away to war He was on the
point of dismissing the prisoner when an
aid entered with n note from division
headquarters. 1t was to the effect that
spies had been reported in the camps and
that orders had been issued from corps
headquarters to keep more vigilant look
out for such persons. Here before him
was a soldier arrested on suspicion. He
had been questioned and appeared to be all
right, but to make sure that he was the
general would prolong the examination.
/ 80 you belong to the til Ohio?"
Eyes, sir.
"What is the name of its colonelH'
"Colonel Bloodgood."
"Where was your company raisedy"
"In-in-in Cincinnati
The soldier had hesitated to answer the
question, and the general believed his an
swer to be false. In half an hour he had
proved it SO. Company II of that regi-
ment was raised at Akron. Further than
that the captain declared that Charles
Walters was not member of his company.
II will send you to division hcadquar-
tiers under guard, said the general when
these facts came to light.
Very well, sir, " replied the prisoner as
he saluted and turned away. From divi-
sion he was passed to corps headquarters
The commander was hurried for time and
brusque in his inquiries.
Young man, you have lied to us. You
must have an object. If you cannot iden-
tify yourself as soldier of this army, you
will be considered spy and treated as
such. Now, then, your regiment
! 1.-THE -th Ohio"
"That is false. You are spy, but as
nothing has been found on you, and you
were not caught coming or going, l am in
clined to mercy. You must tell me the
truth, however. What general do yo'
server"
1.-The same one you do"
"Do you wish to make a statement of
who you are and why you are in our
campsS"
Il am Charles Walters of the til
Ohio, was the calm reply.
"You are spy, convicted of being
spy, and you will be hung tomorrow morn
ing at sunrise. Remove the prisoner.
Major, see that my orders are carried out"
was the sergeant detailed to guard the
tent in which the prisoner was confined
that night. At shutdown carried him in
his supper, but he would not eat. An
hour later handed him writing materials,
but when l looked in on him at 9 o'clock
he had made no use of them.
You have friends who will be anxious
to hear from you,'' / said. "If you wish
to write a letter, promise to take charge
of it and forward it as soon as possible"
"Do you think they will hang meS" he
asked after long silence.
Certainly Men have already been do.
tailed to erect the gallows."
did you ever SEQ man hanged'"
Eyes"
"Was he afraid of deathS'
Eyes. He trembled and wept and
begged for his life. 1t is terrible sight
to see man standing on the trap with
moose about his neck"
Il am not afraid. No one will see me
tremble or weep. Isn't there chance that
they will wait for more evidence or that
the commanding general will interfere'"
Not the slightest. Write your letter,
and will forward it.
At midnight l looked into the tent and
found him sleeping, again at 2, and at
4 called him to tell him that death was
near at hand He seemed to sleep sound
ly, and shook him. My hand touched
his, and 80 seconds later l knew he was
dead.
Poison" said the surgeon whom 1
brought to the tent. He knew the risk
he ran and was prepared to cheat the gal
lows"
Pm sorry for him, for he was but a
boy"
"Boy! Boy! Well, well!'
"What is it?''
ut is girl of 90! Too bad! She was
q spy, but they would have sent her to
Fort Lafayette instead of hanging her. "
NJ. QUAD.