The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1897-07-16

or Capt Coleman, who commanded Cole
mans scouts. We were to go south to
Decatur, and send our reports by cou-
rier line to Gen Bragg at Missionary
Ridge. When we received our orders we
were told that the duty was very danger
Gus, that he did not expect but few OF
US to return that we would probably be
captured or killed, and we were caution
ed against exposing ourselves unnecessa-
rily.
After we had been in Tennessee about
| 10 days, we watched the 10th army corps,
commanded by Gen Dodge, move up
from Corinth to Pulaski. We agreed
that we would leave for the South on
Friday, the 10Th of November, 1868. A
number had been captured and several
killed. We were to start that night,
each man for himself; each of US had
his own information, but 1 did not write
it down or make any memorandum of it,
for fear of being captured. had count
ed almost every regiment, and all the
artillery in the 10th corps, and found out
that they were wing OF Chattanooga.
Late in the afternoon we started out,
and ran into the 7th Kansas cavalry,
known as the "Kansas Jayhawkers, :" and
when we were told that regiment had
captured US we thought our time had
come. We were taken to Pulaski, about
Is miles away, and put into jail, where
several other prisoners had been sent,
and among whom was Sam Davis. I
talked with him over our prospects of
imprisonment and escape, which were
very gloomy. Davis said they had
searched him that day and found some
papers upon him, and that he had been
taken to Gen Dodge's headquarters.
They also had found in his saddle seat
maps and descriptions of the fortifica-
lions at Nashville and other points, and
an exact report of the Federal army in
Tennessee. They found in his boot a
letter, with other papers, which was in
tended for Gen Bragg.
Davis was taken to Gen Dodge's head
quarters, and this is what took place be-
tween them, which Gen Dodge told me
recently:
81 took him in my private office" said
Gen Dodge, land | told him it was
very serious charge brought against him;
that he was a spy, and from what 1
found upon his person he had accurate
information in regard to my arm, and [
must know where he obtained 1t. told
him he was young man, and did not
realize the danger he was in. Up to that
time he said nothing, but then he replied
in the most respectful and dignified man.
uer =
&c Gen Dodge, know the danger of
my situation, and 1 am willing to take
the consequential
~ asked him then to give me the name
of the person from whom he got the in
formation; that knew it must be some
one near headquarters who had given
him the plans of the Federal army. He
replied:
6 Il know that will have to die. but l
will not tell where got the information,
and there is no power on earth that can
make me tell. You are doing your duty
as a soldier, and am doing mine. If |
have to die, do so feeling that ana
doing my duty to God and my country
81 pleaded with and urged him with
all power I possessed to give me some
chance TO save his life, for | discovered
that he was most admirable young fell |
low, with the highest character and
strictest integrity. he then said: 1T is |
useless to talk to me. do not intend to
do it. You can court-martial me, or do
anything else you Ike, but will not be-
tray the trust imposed in me-
..He thanked me for the interest had
taken in him, and sent him back to
prison. 1 Immediately called a court
martial to try him.
The night before be was hanged he