The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-11-24
- ~ IN n I"HlNEfL -EII 81
!, ,.Stlert Sfnrv.
A DESER1ER'S DEFENSE.


At a recent political gathering in Tus
tcambia, Alabama, Gem Cullen AJaBattl,
related the following touching story III
1.-THE course Of his speech: h"a ss9l ora
r. During the winter sof 1884 qitowa:
my fortune to be Presidentof one of tn,
courts martial Of the Confederate. Army
of Northern Virginia. sOne bleak De
cember morning. while the snow covered
the ground and the winds ho wled arount
our camp,I left my biyouacfre to attend
the session of the court Winding. fol
miles alongluncertain- paths, ] at length
arrived at the court ground at Reunt
Oak Church. fr,,ss.t B.; aog-.7
Day after day it had been our duty to
try the gallant soldiers of that army
charged with ss2me violation of military
law but never had l on any previous
occasion been greeted by such anxious
spectators as on that morning awaited
the opening of the court. Case aftel
case was disposed. of, and at length tue
case Of "The Confederate States VS.. Ed.
ward Cooper was calied-charge, deser
ton A low murmur rose spontaneous
ly from the battle SCARED veterans, as {
young aftillefyman rose from the priso
ner's bench, and in response to the ques
ton, "Guilty, or not guilty ?" answered
"Not guilty." -" g..
The Judge advocate was proceeding te
openfthe prosecution, when the court, ,ob
serving that the prisoner was unattend
ed by counsel, interposed and inquired
Of the accused: .s79gqod2sa1g So :
: aWhosis your counsel7"1o q slam
i He replied: asi.lbA iaaiisz sa,4
aD"I have mo- counsel" - ta9mt ag5a
u ssSupposhg thatiit was his purpose tt
|repf esent himself before the court, th.
judge advocate was instructed tou pro
coed. d Every charge and specification
against tthe prisoner was sustained. Tht
pris0aerawas them toid!to introduce his
witnesses. He fepliad: 10 9,a.i,- rs !
q 81 haye,no witnesses II Ii 'at.i s
Astonished at the calmness with which
he seemed to be submitting to c what iht
regarded as inevitable fate?i I said,te
him .i9n aequ ;aafln1gs5 bas .,4ba
@Have you no defense? Isitpossible
that you abandoned your comrades an5
deserted your colors In 1.-THE presence o
the enemy without anysreasoni2" & l5e
+ "There was areason, butt it will. moi
avail me before a military court. ."ssa6,
Isaid: = .s53a 3aI tn9IEa .HtTEs1 I
y aPerhaps you are mistaken; you arc
charged with the highest crime known to
military law, and it is your dutyitolmake
known the causes that influenced yonl
actions."e s1J.es = ed hsl IL s3fEia
h For the first time his manly form trem
bled, and his blue eyes swamiin tearsl-
Approaching the president Of the cour
he presented aIletter, saying as he, die
so: siIQsg 9gh ysdt 5es Tsiief 5Gf of !,
"Therergencral, is what did it, lol
~ l opened the letter, and in, a moment
my eyes filiedw with tears. Q 1t was passed
from one to another of the court unit
all had seen it, and those stern warrior:
who had passed with Stonewall jackson
through hundred battles wept likelittlt
lchildrena lSopn'as sufficiently recover
led my lseRpossession, Iread'ithe letter
the defense of the prisoner. 1T was
in these words:ia a7asd Gi5dj h3a9s
"MY DEARr EDWARDS Ilhaye always
been proud Of you, and Since youf con
nection with tthe Confederate Army
have been prouderof you than ever be
fore. Iw6uld not have you do anything
wrong for the world; q bat before God
Edwards unless you come home We mus
die!0 Last night ] was aroused byli.tl'
FEddie's cryingas t. called oand said,:4
EHWhat's the matter, Eddiel2' andleht
said: "Oh mamma, I'm so hungry ?
i And Lucy, Ed ward, your darlingIrLuey
she never complains, but she is growing
thinner and thinner every day. And be
fore God, Edward, unless You come homs
We must die.ea ,Ifig 9iYeur NARY :,
ID Turning to the prisoner, I Iaskedtdw
|ii ssWhat did you do when ayou7receiyed
this letter7''6J o. za.1usa s4ss 5....is.l
q He replied:,'e Il heg ,,r5tsls i7t-o
s91'I made application for furlough, and
it7was rejected , again 1 made apphea
tion, and it7was nrejected !; "a third time
made application, ,andiitw was rejected, ,an6
that night, as wandered backward and
forward in athe scamp, thinking of my
home, with the mild eyes Of, Lucy look.
ing up to me, and the burning words 'oi
Mary sinking in my brain Twas no Ion.
ger,a Confederate soldier, but was the
father Of Lucy and the husband of Mary,
and'I would have passed these lines if
every gun in the battery had fired upon
me.anl went to my home. Mary ran cut
oomeet me, her !sngel arms embraced