Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-05-31
Judge Advocate General.


SIX months we had worked TO capture but
our cause being almost lost, something de-
cisiye and great must be done. But Its fall
ure was owing to others, who did not strike
Tor their country with a heart. | struck
boldly and not as the papers say. walked
with firm step through thousand Of his
friends, and was stopped, but pushed on.
A colonel was at his side. | shouted "Sic
seaper' ~ before fred. In jumping, broke
my leg. passed all his pickets, rode sixty
miles that night with the bone Of my leg
tearing the.fesh at every jump. can nev-
rerent it, though we hated to kill. Our
country owed all her troubles to him, and
God simply made me the instrument of his
punishment The country Is not (AprIl,
1865 what It was. This forced Union is
not what have loved. 1 care not what be-
comes Of me. | have no desire to outliye
mylcountry This night, before the deed,
wrote a long article and left for one of the
editors of the National hlteHigeHcer, in
which | fully set forth our reasons for our
proceedings lie or the government
Friday, 2lst.-After being hunted like
dog through swamps, woods, and last night
being chased by gunbOats till | was forced
to return, wet, cold and starving, with
every mans hand against me, | am here in
despair. And. why? For doing what
Brutus was hOnOred for. what made Tell a
hero. And yet |, for striking down great
er tyrant than they ever knew, am looked
upon as a common cut-throat My action
was purer than theirs. One hoped to be
great; the other had not only his country's
but his own wrongs 70 avenge. l hoped for
no gain. | knew no private wrong. l
struck for my country, and that at once;
country that grOaned beneath this tyranny
and prayed for this end. And yet now be-
hold the cold hand they extend to me. God
cannot pardon me if | have done wrong. Yet
cannot see my wrong, except IN serving a
degenerate people. The little, the very
little, lett behind TO clear my name, the
government will not allow to be printed. So
enis all. For my country have given up
all that makes life sweet and holy brought
misery upon my family, and am sure there
no pardon in the Heaven for me since man
condemns me so. have On.y heard of what
has been done except what did myself.and
it hlls me with horror. God, try and for
give me J.; and bless my mother. Tonight
will once more try the river, with the intent
TO cross, though have greater desire and
almost a mind TO return to Washington and
in measure clear my name, which l leel /
can do. | do not repent the blow l struck
| MAJ before my God, but not man. l think
| have done we'll though am abandoned with
the curse of Cam upon. WheH y the 'COrld
knew my heart that one blow would have
made me great, though did desire no great
ness. Tonight try to escape these blood-
hounds once more. Who, who can read his
fate? Gods will be done. | have too great
a soul to die like a criminal May lie spare
me that and let me die bravely. bless the
entire world have never hated nor wronged
anv one. This last WAS not a wrong unless
God deems it so, and it's with Him to damn
or bless me. Hard Tor this brave boy with
me. who often prays-yes, before and since,
with true and sincere heart. Was 1t crime
in him? Ii so, why can he pray the same
/ | do not wish to shed drop Of blood, but
must fight the course. 'Tis all that's lei'
/ me.