The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-01-23


Rapidan, fatigued by the vigorous retreat
from Gettysburg, and disconsolate in SO
trying and painful a repulse. Days pass
ed before the authorities entered upon
inquiries respecting the nature of pris-
oners they had captured, or allotting any
particular mode of treatment to any as a
class. Austin, from the beginning, an
ticipated that no special investigation
would be brought to bear upon his case,
and for that reason, only troubled himself
about the one thing that lay upon his
heart = the death of Gascomber. He
had been permitted to attend him on his
death bed, and, from the conversation of
the dying man, concluded that his Joy of
life was over, and that hcnceforth he
lived only to become prey to his mis-
fortune. Ofagain meeting with Costardo
he had little hope except amidst the up
roar of battle, and then only as an enemy.
A special guard had been placed over
him since their encampmeht, which shut
out all prospect of escape. 1t was then
that he lamented the loss of his friend ::
for he knew, that, had he lived, nothing
would be left undone to provide for his
safety. He was attended by the guard
on the third day, when the Provost Mar
shall entered with paper in his hand :,
and notified the prisoner to get ready and
appear under escort at the headquarters
of the General commanding.
Austin was marched out amidst the
hissings and reproaches of the soldiery,
and conveyed to the tent of the General
After the usual parole the prisoner was
ushered in, and confronted the tribunal
who were to examine and decide upon his
case. General Lee presided; assisted by
the associate commanders, Longstreet and
Ewell. The prisoner was placed forward,
and his trial commenced. He was charg-
ed as being spy : that he deserted the
Union lines for the purpose of procuring
information as to the position of their en-
emies; and that he killed six of the guard
while on neutral ground. Austin pleaded
"Not Guilty" when a summary statement
of the officer who had arrested him was
given and verified by several witnesses.
The Court paused in its proceedings, and
General Lee, laying down his pen, inter
rogated the prisoner thus:
You are native of the South"
81 am"
The State?"
Louisiana"
How came you to appear in that uni
form; yourinterests are ours why be-
tray them?"
% Motives free and honorable led me to
pursue the course | did the name of
traitor | spurn, and give back to those
who look upon me as such. fl advocated
what is deemed to be wrong by my coun-
trymen, the responsibility is with me.
While l am free l shall act indepcnd-
emily of other men, nor espouse an evil
cause, only because community think
otherwise. / love my country more ar
IDENTIFY than her best warriors, but I will
not partake in her desolation and ruin
/ will not sanction her rebellion"
You are an honorable man."
As Brutus was"
You are indicted as spy There
are circumstances in your case which
prove you to be SO. Are you ready to
die?"
81 fear it not; it was ever near me /;
but your condemning me is unjust = the
crime of aiding my friend and country
man in his distress is honorable. l am
soldier = no spy"
You murdered six men, refused GER
tain documents to the officer to examine.
| cannot see any thing honorable in your
case but what gives proof to our suspi-
cions that you are spy"
deny the crime Of murder legally.
l encountered six men as a soldier, and as
soldier l slew them"
But the .papers?"
"They were private documents. re-
fused them to be officially inspected -
they contained nothing criminal"
You kept them?"
/" swallowed them"
Your letters = you read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them"
A light smile passed over Austin's face
at the remark, and a general laugh was
heard from every one = presently the ex-
animation was renewed: -
And you pretend to affirm that you
were seeking aid for the wounded, and to
relieve one man you slew six, that one
being your enemy. What is honorable
or benevolent in this instance?"
Every thing, personally; but which
may not be recounted here. The matter
was of importance to myself, and to further
it SO acted"
The Court at this juncture ordered the
prisoner to be removed, and then proceed
ed to examine the case in its separate
parts. After a short deliberation, Aus.
tin was again placed forward, and again
General Lee addressed the prisoner on
the part of the tribune. He said: =
Austin Cameon, after a careful aud
protracted investigation of your case, in
which you had all the privileges of de-
fence fully open to you, and in which you
were examined with partiality and de-
sire to he marciful. Won ra m oty;t h et,nd