The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-10-21
The Letter That Caused Z DeSer.
ton,

The Letter That Caused 4 Deser.
ton.
7Ra ssass-a
At q recent political gathering in
Tuscnmbia, Alabama, General Cullen
A.. Battle related the following very
tonching story in the course of his
speech:
During the winter of ls63-64 it was
my fortune to be president of one Of
the courts martial Of the Army OF
Northern Virginia. One bleak Decem
Der morning, while the snow covered
the ground and the winds howled
around II camp, I left my bivouac
fire to attend the session of the court.
Winding for miles along uncertain
paths. l at length arrived at the court
ground at Round Oak Church. Day
after day it had been our duty to try
the gallant soldiers Of that army,
charged with violations of military
law; but never had I on any previous
occasion been greeted by snch anxious
spectators as on that morning awaited
the opening Of the court. Case after
case was disguised Of, aud at length the
case of ''the Confederate States VA.
Edward Coorer"was called-the charge
desertjOn. A low mnrmnr rose spon.
tapeously from the battle SCARED spec.
tators, as a young artilIerymau rose
from the prisoners bench, and, in re-.
sp"nse to the question, "Guilty or not
guiltyi' answered, "Not guilty."
The judge advocate was proceeding
to open the prosecution, when the
court, observing that the prisoner was
unattended by counsel, ~interposed and
inquired of the accused, "Who is your
co"nseii' He replied, ~ have no
counsel" Surprising that it was his
purpose to represent himself before the
court, the Judge advocate was instruc-
ted to proceed. Every charge and spe-
cifcation against the prisoner was
sustained. The prisoner was then
told to introduce his witnesses. He
replied, II have no Witnesses" AS.
tonished at the calmness will, which
he seemed to be submitting to what he
regarded as inevitable fate. 1 said to
him, "Have you no defensei Is it pos
sible that yon abandoned your COM
rades and deserted your colois in the
presence of the enemy without any
reason " He replied, "There was a
reason, but it will not avail me before
a military court" l said: "Perhaps
you are mistaken; you are charged
with the highest crime known to mill.
tary law, and it is your duty to make
known the causes that Influenced your
actions" For the first time his manly
form trembled, and Ills blue eyes swan
in tears. Approaching the president
of the court he presented q letter, say
ing as lie did 81, "There, General, is
what did it" l openec the letter, aad
in a moment nv eyes filled with tears.
1t was passed from one to another of
the court until all had seer it. and
those stern warriors who had passed
with St"newall Jackson through a
hundred battles wept like little chill
dren. Soon as I sufficiently recovered
my self possession, | read the letter as
the defence Of the prisoner. 1t was in
these words:
Ny DEAR EDwARD-I have always
been proud of you, and since your con-
nection with the Confederate army L
have been prouder of you than ever be-
fore. l would not have you do any
thing wrong for the world; but before
God, Edward, unless you come home.
we must die! Last night was aroused
by little Edtie's crying, l called and
SAID, "What's the matter, Eddie ?" and
he said, ooh, mama, I'm so hungryw
And Lucy, Edward, your darling Lucy,
she never complains, but she is grow
ing thinner and thinner every day.
And before God, Edward, unless you
HAMA s.yo o,,eA A.
YOUR NARY.
Turning to the prisoner, l asked:
''What did you do when you received
this letter." He replied: ~ made ap-
.plication for furlonRhj aud it was re-
again l made application aud
il was rejected; u third time I made
application, and it was rejected, and
night, as / wandered backward
and forward in the camp, thinking Of
my home, with the mild eyes of Lncy
up to me, and the burning
of Mary sinking in my brain, I
was no longer the Confederate soldier,
but l was the father Of Lucy and the
husband Of Mary, and / would have
passed those lines if every gun IN the
battery had fred upon me. l went to
my home. Mary ran out to meet me,
her angel arms embraced me, and she
whispered. %! Edward, l am 90 hap
py! l am SO glad you got your fur
She must have felt me shud.
der, for she turned pale as death, and
catching her breath at every word, she
said, Have you come home without