Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-02-19


to escape;" Wilmer replied, with smile
of scorn. "Well be it so; but you had
better lock the door and seat yourself
com fortably, whilst write letter. q /,
BY this time, the population of the fort
was in ferment Of excitement, and the
incidents Of the previous evening were
discussed in every variety of form and
temper, and nowhere with more earnest
ness than in the apartments Of the ladies'
And could the last have known the reason
why Wilmer struck his superior officer
the judgment passed by many of them,
would have been promptly reversed. But
none knew that the gallant Lieutenant was
to be tried for his manly defence of the
Generals daughter, and that the General
himself had appointed the tribunal before
which he was to appear.
But the beating Of the drum suspended
all discussion and was the signal for the
assembling of the scattered groups around
the door of the court-room--all eager to
see and hear as much as possible of what
passed within. The judges were soon
seated, and presently, the Lieutenant ap
peared, escorted by the Sergeant, and the
crowd parted to give them free passage
Entering the room, Wilmer stood proudly
erect before the military tribunal, and his
noble form seemed to acquire additional
majesty. under the gaze of those upon
whom his fate depended, in the approach
ing trial He answered, with pleasant,
smile, the anxious look of his friends, and
met the gaze of his enemies with dignifed
Indifference. Never had he appeared to
greater advantage, and his bearing elected
the admiration of the more generous
among those who sought to disgrace him.
"Lieutenant Charles Wilmer" said the
President of the Court, "you have been
cited to trial, before this Court-martial, on
three distinct charges; but before proceed
ing further, it is proper to ask if you have
any objections to the Court, as now con-
stituted, and if you are ready for trial !"
"Sir;" said Wilmer, in reply, sit mat
ters little with me, how this Court is con
stituted. TIE summary proceedings insti-
tuted against me, leave no doubt on my
mind, that conviction is foregone con-
clusion. An impartial trial can not
hope for, in the midst of those who have
wed with each other in a long continued
effort to traduce my character. The Court
is, perhaps, as impartial as any that could
have been organized out of the material
within the fort; and when the command
ing General himself sets the example of
pre- judging my case, what have l to ex-
pect from his subordinates, with one or
two exceptions?"
IL demand the proof, sir" said the
General, interrupting him, "of the charge
that have pre-judged your case !"
"You shall have it, sir" Wilmer re-
piled, as he drew from his pocket and read
aloud, the following note.
To CAPT. FRITz s
"DEAR SIR Your request shall be
Immediately complied with. The arrogance
and presumption of Wilmer has been borne
long enough, and his absence from the fort
will be arelief to many, and to no one more
than myself w. HOLMES"
"And now, Gen. Holmes" Wilmer con-
tinued, "permit me to ask you if this note
was written for general circulation amongst
the officers p
at was intended to be strictly private; !"
said the General, whose face was all aglow
with confusion, "and was written in haste
and under excitement acknowledge my
error, and beg that it may have no weight
with any member of the Court, and ask
your pardon, Lieut.. Wilmer, for any wrong
it may do you"
"Whlst freely forgive" continued the
Lieutenant, 81 must be permitted again to
refer to this note as affording proof of my
declaration, that have nothing to hope
and let me add-nothing to ask from
this Court. No one present can be more
anxious for me to leave the fort than am
to leave it; and if dismissed from the
service-as | expect to be-the disgrace
will not be mine.--I am ready for trial"
For minute or two, death-like silence
prevailed, in and out of doors, and a
stranger to what was going on, would
have inferred that Wilmer was reprimand-
ing officers and soldiers for some grave
misdeneanor, AT length the President
resumed business, by saying;
"Lieut. Wilmer, you are arraigned upon
three charges First, for striking your