Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-10-27

ing to murder his superior officer. In
vain Cadeline protested his innocence;
they dragged him away and confined
him under strong guard.
On the following morning an unusual
activity among the officers told that
there was something of more than ordi-
nary importance to take place, as each
one hastened to the quarters of the
commander. Although court martial
is not an unusual affair, yet it is suffi-
ciently rare to attract great attention in
a camp.
Soon the quick roll of the drum told
that the court had convened, and were
ready to try criminal. Within spa
cious tent were gathered large number
of officers, in full uniform. Seated on a
raised platform was General Levack,
acting as Judge. Another roll of the
drum announced the entrance of the
prisoner
"Of what is this man charged" ask
ed the judge.
''With an attempt to destroy the life
of his superior officer, Colonel Lavilier,"
said the advocate.
Where is the accuser?" continued
the court.
"Here, may it please your excellen-
cy," replied the Colonel, whose arm was
bound up in sling.
"How came Martel to attempt your
life?"
"'I know not" said Lavilier.
"What provoked the insult?"
"a conversation with young girl
with whom the prisoner was acquaint-
ed"
"Is that all?" .-#s
at is, your excellency."
n After a short conversation with the
officers, the Judge turned to the prison
er and thus addressed him
"Anthony Msrtel; you have been
found guilty of an attempt to murder
superior officer in the French army, the
punishment of which crime is DEATH
What have you to say why you should
not suffer the extreme penalty of the law
which you have violated?' 1HH
Martel, who stood up as though un-
conscious until now, raised his manly
form; standing erect, he bent his
searching eyes upon the Colonel, and
said in firm voice: .---- '..--i
"Your excellency; am aware that
any vindication which 1 may make
would be of no avail; but being thus
permitted, l will speak the truth, that
my fellow soldiers may know that l die
innocent of the charge brought against
me. 1 did not fire upon colonel Lavilier,
and had no weapon when arrested. At
the moment when / entered the dwell
ling of Cadeline, found her struggling
in the arms of the colonel. stopped
not to inquire his rank, but with
clenched fist struck him to the floor
This is all that 1 have done, and had it
been the Emperor himself, l should
have done likewise; for the duty of
true soldier is to protect the innocent
and defenceless. l am willing to die,
but my death will not go unavenged,
for the grass will not have covered my
grave before the weapons of my COM
RAIDS shall have found the heart of the
murderer; for there is not one who will
shrink when the hour has come. l am
ready-pass your sentence. )"
"Martel, your language does not be-
come one who is on the threshold of
eternity"
"Truth becomes man at all times"
replied Anthony.
"Anthony Martel," said the Judge,
"the sentence of the court is, that you
die tomorrow morning at sunrise, and
that you be shot by twelve of your
comrads" '.t
Again the roll of the drum told that
the case had been decided, and they
were about to conduct the prisoner to
his quarters, when young girl rushed
past the guard in the tent, and prostra-
ting herself at the feet Of the presiding
officer, she exclaimed
"He is Innocent spare him; he is
not guilty, and did not shoot colonel
Lavilier." AS the tears flowed down
her beautiful face, every heart was
touched with pity, save one. He stood
unmoved by her supplication. The
Judge informed her that it was impossi-
bic for him to alter the sentence of the
court, and that the only hope that was
left her was with colonel Lavilier, who
was the injured party, and who alone
had power to ask for his pardon, or to
recommend him to mercy. In vain
Cadeline pleaded with him; he was in
exorable, and, she was borne senseless
from the tent. .vl.i
On the following morning, little be-
fore sunrise, some soldiers were busily
engaged in placing red flags at short in
tervals on beautiful plain not far from
the camp. No sooner had this been
accomplished, than the mufied drum
was heard playing dead march. A
company of soldiers now drew near, ac-
companied by alarge number of officers,
who came to witness the punishment Of
DEATH. Anthony Martel was walking
with firm step to meet his doom; ar
irving on the ground, he took his place
on the spot designated for him to de-
he was calm and unmoved at the ap-
proaching crisis. Twelve Of his fellow
soldiers were brought up into a line;
every movement ted their unwilling
ness TO perform the odious duty which