The National tribune., 1901-10-17

the detachments to Vicksburg.
May 2S.-The inactivity of our two
great armies in Virginia and in Tennessee
naturally diyerts the attention of the whole
| The authorities at Washington through
Gen. Halleck, are urging Rosecrans to ad
vance against Bragg. with two objects in
view; first, to prevent Bragg from rein,
forcing the enemy at Vicksburg, and,
second, to respond to the impatient de-
mand of the Northern people for n vigor-
Gus prosecution of the war Rosecrans oh
iects, and has objected, during the Spring,
for several reasons; the bad condition of
the roads, the lack Of cavalry to cope with
that of the enemy, and inadequate mill
tary supplies. The roads are now in fair
| condition, our cavalry is fairly equipped,
and n gOodly stock of provisions and other
supplies are gathered in this stronghold.
| which we have almost made impregnable
with nearly five months hard labor. No
| apparent reasons exist to justify much
longer delay.
June 3.-Again We are thrown into
fever of excitement by an order to be
| ready to march at n moments notice with
| three days rations in haversacks and four
days in knapsacks. A hasty inspection of
the regiment was made, and the exact
number of the effective officers and men
reported to Brigade Headquarters. These
preparation denote the probability of an
immediate campaign. Rumors fly thick
and fast through camp and set every tom
que in motion asking questions or discus
sing possibilities. The general expectation
is that we may be called on at any time
to follow Bragg's army to Vicksburg.
June A. Heavy cannonading was
heard nearly all day in the direction of
Franklin, the result of accommodating
operations on our part to discover whether
the enemy has made any change in the
90, ,,rrth rf
few days a division or two is sent out for
this purpose, and great deal Of ammunl
ton is wasted in Smelling the woods.
Neither Rosecrans nor Bragg appear
anxious TO meet each other in earnest.
June 5.-Our hopes of a change, which
were stimulated by our orders of Wednes-
day and the cannonading yesterday, were
again dispelled by the absence of any dis
turbing elements today. There was moth
ing exciting in the dull thud' of pick and
spade in the red and yellow clay as it was
heaped into additional lines of fortifca
tions, as if TO render assurance doubly
sure; for there seems no need of any new
works to make this position impregnable,
nor does it seem probable that Bragg
would venture to attack us il our works
were only One-quarter as extensive as they
are.
June Cat the close of work today
our brigade was notified that no further
work on the Notifications will be required.
This announcement caused general rejoic-
ing and appears to indicate new order of
events.
"June 7.-Our rest today was undis-
turbed by anticipation of work tomorrow.
We understand that an active course Of
drill will take the place Of digging. We
have devoted so much time to the latter
that we have become experts, but we may
in the meantime have forgotten how to
handle our muskets."
EXECUTION OF CONFEDERATE SPIES.
The relentless cruelty of war was il |
ustrated ct Franklin, June 9, by the |
execution of two spies, or rather of two
Confederate officers supposed to be spies.
They found means to enter our lines, and
presented themselves to the commanding
officer at Franklin wearing Federal UNI
forms and claiming to be authorized by the
War Department and Gen. Rosecrans to
inspect the works. Their movements ex-
cited suspicion, and they were arrested.
Inquiry of Gen. Rosecrans and at Wash
ington disclosed the fact that no such APP
pointment has been made. Gen. Rose
Grams Immediately ordered a drum-head
rourt-martial and their execution, if found
guilty, as spies. 1al
The prisoners before trial confessed that
they were really Confederate officers, but
.laimed that they +, were not spies.
While it appeared exceeding strange that
these officers should venture upon. such
hazardous undertaking merely to procure
a plan of such an nnimportant post as I
Franklin, yet the court martial could form
no other conclusion, and therefore pro-
them guilty. The following or.
iers briefly tell the sad termination:
Department of the Gum.
berland,
Murfreesboro, June Q, 4:30 a. m.
Col ]. p. Baird, Franklin: General
Rosecrans directs that the two spies, il
found guilty, be hung at once, thus plac-
ing beyond the possibility of Forrest
profting by the information they have
gained.
Frank l.. Bond,
Major and Addict Camp.
Franklin. June 0, 1920 a. m.
To Gen. Garfield, Chief of Staff: The
men have been tried, found guilty and
executed in compliance with your order.
j. 7. Baird,
Colonel Commanding Post.
We have been drilling so assiduously
since we stopped working on the FORTH
cations that we are not sure the change
has been much to our advantage, except
that it is more in keeping with our idea
IF military duty. Much as we dislike any
hing like drudgery, it may become neces-
sary for us to dig many hole in the
ground for seif-protection before we get
through this war. No doubt such work
would be greatly stimulated by the Zip"
IF bullets about our ears. How often
nave we regretted our neglect to dig rifle
pits during the night before the battle OF
Stone River. When we lay fiat in the
open field the next morning with hail
IF bullets about us we realized too late
1. \ -.