HANGED AT SUNRISE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5874, 12 March 1887, Page 1

HANGED AT SUNRISE.

fßy an Ex-Rbbbl.] When Bragg had Rosencrans shut up in 'Chattanooga there were four of us scouts from headquarters who penetrated the Federal lines almost daily. Every move made was discovered and reported, and most of them checkmated.

About a month before Grant's arrival, when things were at their worst with Koseorans, a scout named Will Eoesmore, who was rather new in the business, having been detailed only a few weeks, -was sent in to try and ascertain certain things. The Federals were keeping a sharper look-out than formerly, and the young man was inßtruoted to exeroiae all possible caution and take no extra risks. He rode boldly into the city on an old horse, claiming to have been commissioned by certain refugees to look after their property. He was, of •oourse, placed under arrest and taken before the officer of the day. He was ready for the ordeal. He had the name of three citizens who had fled the place; he pretended a lameness which incapacitated him for military service ; he had the talk and actions of a country lout. He was questioned in the closest manner, and when nothing could be made of him he was allowed to go his way. It is likely that he would have secured his information and passed out in safety, but before he had teen in the town three hours an unfortunate thing occurred. He was seen and recognised by a deserter from our lines — a man who had formerly messed with him and, of course, knew him well. The deserter saw Rossmore without being •een himself, and at once went to headquarters and gave him away. When brought face to face at headquarters the ■cout must have realised that his doom was sealed, but he did not yield his life without an effort. He denied his identity. He offered to Bend for people to prove he was -what he claimed to be, and he challenged the officer (I think it was Eosecrans himself) to send for a surgeon to inspect his lameness and pronounce upon it. While his bold Bpeech staggered the deserter, the man could not doubt his own eyes, and he persisted that Rossmore was a spy from Bragg*s headquarters. "Was Rossmore lame?" asked the officer. "No, sir." " But thiß man is a cripple for life." "Well, I don't know how that comes. T am certain, however, that he is the man." "If the surgeon Bays I have been lame for years will you admit that you are mistaken f " coolly asked the scout. " Why, I'll have to. Will Rossmore was as sound as I am." " Very well, General, send for the surgeon/ quietly remarked the scout. He must have realtaed that the fraud would be detected, but it Beemed to bo hiß only hope of bluffing the deserter down. If he had a thought that the surgeon would not be sent for it was quickly dispelled. The General felt that it was a serious case, and ha wanted bottom facts. A surgeon name, Eoaßmore stripped off, and after a brief examination the medical man announced his opinion that the ssout was shamming. The little toe on his right foot had been cut off at the joint in boyhood. The deserter had seen the foot several times, and now he suddenly remembered the Btump. When Eossmore saw that he was doomed lie owned up to his identity, and pointing his finger at the man who had betrayed him he said : " Lew Warner, listen to me ! Through 50a I shall hang, but sooner or later my death will be avenged upon you ! General, I am ready." He was led away, to be hanged at sunrise next morning. Warner was from Tennessee, in the neighbourhood of Knoxvillo. In August, 18G5, he returned there to settle down, and one evening, before he had been home two weekß, some one fired a bullet through his heart as he traversed one of the back streets.

officer.