Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-11-06
A Confederate story.

AT a recent political gathering in Tus-
cumbia, Ala, Gen. Cullen A. Battle re-
lated the following touching story in the
course of his speech:
During the winter of 1S63-64 it was
my fortune to be President of one of the
courts-martial of the army of Northern
Virginia. One bleak December morn.
ing, while the snow covered the ground
and the winds howled around our camp,
| left my bivouac fire to attend the ses.
sion of the court. Winding for miles
along uncertain paths, l at length ar
rived at the court-ground at Rouud Oak
Church. Day after day it had been our
duty to try the gallant soldiers Of that
army, charged with violations of mill
tary law but never had | on any pre-
vious occasion been greeted by such
anxious spectators as on that morning
awaited the opening of the court. Case
after case was disposed, and at length
the case Of "The Confederate States VS..
Edward Cooper" was called-charge,
desertion. A low murmur rose sponta.
neously from the battle-scarred specta
tors, as young artillery man rose from
the prisoners bench, and in response to
the question, Guilty, or not guilty ?"
answered, f" Not guilty"
Tba T,I,o drooato ,,.oa ,,.oooo5;,r.
to open the prosecution, when the court,
observing that the prisoner was unattend.
ed by counsel, interposed and inquired
Of the accused, " Who is your counsel ?"
He replied, | have no counsel" Sup.
posing it was his purpose to represent
himself before the court, the Judge Ad-
vocate proceeded. Every charge and.
specification against the prisoner was
sustained. The prisoner was then told
to introduce his witnesses. He replied,
II have no witnesses" Astonished at.
the calmness with which he, seemed to be
! submitting to what heregarded as newt
able fate, | said to him, Have you no
defense? Is it possible you abandoned
/ your comrades and deserted your colors
in the presence of an enemy without any
reason? He replied, "Tnere was
reason, but it will not avail noe before a
military court" / said Perhaps you
are mistaken; you are charged with the
highest crime known to military law,
and it is your duty to make known the
causes that influenced your actions"
For the first time his manly form trem.
bed, and his blue eyes swan in tears.
4 Approaching the President Of the court
he presented letter, saying as he did
so, There General, is what did it" |
opened the letter, and in moment my
eyes filled with tears. 1t was passed
from one to another of the court until
all had seen it, and those stern warriors
who had passed with Stonewall jackson
through hundred battles wept like lit
tie children. Soon as | sufficiently re-
covered my self possession, l read the
letter as the defense of the prisoner. 1t
was in these words:
My DEAR EDWARD: have always
been proud of you, and since your con-
nection with the Confederate Army |
have been prouder of you than ever be-
fore; | would not have you do anything
wrong for the word but before God,
Edward, unless you come home we must
die Last night was aroused by little
Eddie's crying. | called and said
What's the matter, Eddie?" and he
said "Oh, mamma, Tn so hungry .
and Lucy, Edward, your darling Lucy,
she never complains, but she is growing
thinner and thinner every day. And
before God, Edward, unless you come
nOme we must die.
Your MARY.
Turning to the prisoner, l asked