The National tribune., 1902-07-24

from which point his army extended west
ward, his left resting at Columbia.
Gen. Rosecrans had his headquarters at
Murfreesboro, and his forces were dis
posed in the form of triangle, of which
Nashville was the apex and Murfreesboro
and Franklin were the other angles.
While thus stationed, the troops of both
armies were not idle. Detachments from
each army were frequently sent out to
attack, and possibly overwhelm some out
post, or to make raiding expeditions upon
some forbidden territory in quest OF Tor
age, or to destroy or disturb railroads or
other means of communication, constantly
yexing the whole country with raids ana
incursions.
Franklin being upon the extreme right
flank of the Federal line, and about 70
miles almost directly south of Nashville,
was naturally most important point IN
the line, and therefore greatly coveted by
the enemy.
During the month of February Gen.
Van Dorns (Confederate) command,
consisting of cavalry and mounted IN
fantry, was stationed at Columbia, where
the General was energetically engaged IN
its recruitment, both men and horses,
with the full purpose of attacking Frank
lin in force, as shown by his correspond
ence with Gen. Bragg in the Records OF
the Rebellion. The preparations for this
movement and the movement itself We're
unknown to Gen. Rosecrans. Gen. Gll-
bert, in command of the Post at Frank
lin, knew nothing of it, for on May i, at
the instance of Gen. Rosecrans, he sent
Col. Coburn and his brigade, with de-
tachment of cavalry and a battery OF artll-
lery, consisting in all of about 2,OOO men,
to distant points on the road in the dlrec-
ton of Columbia on a foraging expedition
pure and simple, at the very time when
Gen. Van Dorm was moving on FRANKLIN
with about 10000 men.
The two opposing forces confronted
each other unexpectedly at Thompson
Station, where terrific battle was fought
lasting about four hours, during which
time Gel. Columns Brigade displayed
persistency and herOism unsurpassed In
the annals of the civil war. Though van
Quished by a force greatly superior IN
numbers, the magnificent stand made by
Col. Coburns Brigade disconnected the
plans of Van Dorm, and thereby saved
Franklin.
Later on, April 10, Gen. Van Dorm
made a direct attack upon Franklin, but
was repulsed, as the garrison, in the
meantime, had been greatly strengthened
by the addition of more troops.
Again, on June 4, Gen. Forrest, with
Q considerable force, made an attempt to
capture Franklin but failed.
These attacks were made with a good
deal of spirit and hopefulness, and 1t was
subsequently shown that the enemy was
greatly disappointed because of his failure
to reduce the place. The position was
not openly attacked again by an organized
force.
The daring scheme of the spies now
presents itself. 1t is my opinion that the
entrance into the Federal lines by two
spies-the subject of this sketch-was the
initiatory movement toward the capture
of Fort Granger and the troops quartered
there for its defense by deception and
stealth, since it could not be taken IN
open battle.
Opposite Franklin, across the Harpeth
River, was situated Fort Granger, forti-
fcation of considerable strength. 1t was
located on the river bluff, and commanded
not only Franklin but the surrounding
country. Its Importance was not over
estimated by friend or foe. If captured,
and large Confederate force interposed
between Nashville and Murfreesboro, the
army of Gen. Rosecrans would have been
placed at great disadvantage if not
routed altogether.
On June s, four days after the last
open attack made upon Franklin, two
mounted men appeared at the headquar-
tiers of Col. John p. Baird, of the S5th
Ind, who was in command Of the garri-
son. They represented themselves as be-
ing Inspector-General Lawrence w.
Auton (Orton), and Maj. Dunlap (whose
real names were Col. William Orton Will
Jams and Lieut.. Walter G. Peter, and
said that they had been directed by Adj't-
Gen. Lorenzo Thomas and Gen. Rose
Grams to inspect troops, camps, etc, and
produced papers and documents that ap-
peared to be genuine.
The personal appearances of the men
were not the best presentable, and IN ex-
PLANTATION therof Col Williams told Col.
Baird that he "had missed the road from
Murfretsboro to Franklin, got two near
Eaglesville, and run into rebel pickets,
had his orderly shot, and lost his coat
containing his money; that he wanted
some money and pass to Nashville"
Col. Baird did not suspect them to be
other than what they represented. In
his official report he says: 'They did not
attempt to inspect works" His conf
dence in their representations was COM
plete, as, upon Williamss request, he
loaned him $50, and also gave him the
countersign for the night.
The fact that they did not attempt to
inspect the works." / think justifies the
conclusion that their sole intent was to
get possession of the countersign only for
the purposes Indicated further ON. There
Is a conflict Of testimony as to who cast
the first suspicious. upon these men. Col.
Baird says he did not suspect them until
tuey udu gone AWAY. "ueH II STRUCK ulIu
like thunderbolt that they were spies,"
and that he Immediately directed Col.
Watkins, of the 9th Ky. Cav, to bring
them back.
1t is claimed that Col Watkins was the
first to announce his suspicious, because
of prior acquaintance with Williams at
West Point. That will not stand, be-
cause neither was a graduate of that in
stitution. They had previously been mem
bers Of the I'd U. S. Cav, but certainly
not at the same time, as Col. Thomas j.
Jordan, of the 9th Pa, and who was the
President of court that tried the spies,
says that neither had ever met before"
Whatever the truth may be, Col Baird
does not hesitate to say In his report that
''their ruse was nearly successful ON me,
rs did not know the hand writing Of my
commanding officer, and am much in
debted to Col. Watkins, 9th KY. Cav.
for their detention, and Lieut.. Wharton,
of GraDger's staff, for detection of forgery
papers," 1t is well to state that for his
cOmmendable activity and prudence in the
matter, Col. Watkins was presented with
the horse that belonged TO Col. Williams.
There is no mistake in the fact that
Col. Watkins, accompanied by an orderly,
pursued the men and by rapid movement
succeeded in halting them before they had
passed beyond the outposts Col. Watkins
had delicate mission to perform, and he
was equal to the occasion-diplomatic
enough to not arouse any suspicion of his
true purposes in the minds of the two
men He fold fha,n ho4 - uoc tho da.iro