Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-10-15
A CONFEDERATE STORY.

At recent political gathering in Iuscum-
bia. Alabama, General 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 morning, while the snow
covered the ground and the winds howled
around our camp, left my bivouac fire to at
tend the session of the court. Winding for
miles along uncertain paths, [ at length ar
rived at the court-ground at Round Oak
church. Day after day it had been our duty
to try the gallant soldiers of that army, charg-
ed with violations of military law but never
had on any previous occasion been greeted
by such anxious spectators as on that morning
awaited the opening of the court. Case after
case was disposed of, and at length the case of
"The Confederate States Us. Edward Cooper"
was called-cbarge, desertion. A low mur:
muir rose spontaneously from the battle-scarred
spectators, as young artilleryman rose from
the prisoners bench, and, in response to the
question, "Gulty or not guilty?" answered,
mot guilty"
The ud ge 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 counsel?" He replied, II have no
counsel" Supposing that it was his purpose
to represent himself before the court, the judge
advocate was instructed to proceed. 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 he regarded as inevitable fate, l said to
him, "Have you no defense? Is it possible
that you abandoned your comrades and de-
serted your colors in the presence of the enc.
my without any reason?" He replied, "There
was reason, but it will not avail me before
a military court" I 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 infu
enced your actions" For the first time his
manly form trembed, and his blue eyes swan
in tears. Approaching the president Of the
court, he presented a letter, saying, as he did
so, "There, general, is what did it." 1opened
the letter, and in moment my eyes filled
with tears. 1t was passed from one to anoth
er of the court until all had seen it, and those
stern warriors who had passed with Stonewal
Jackson through a hundred battles wept like
little children. Soon as / sufficiently recov
cred my selfpossession, | read the letter as the
defense of the prisoner. 1t was in these
words:
MY DEAR EDwARD-I have always been prouc
Of you, and since your connection with the Con
federate army have been prouder OF you thar
ever before. / would not have you do anything
wrong for the world but, before God. Edward
unless you come home we must die! Last night
1 was aroused by little Eddie's crying: called
and said "Whats the matter, Eddie?' and ne
said "Oh! mamma, Pm so hungry" And Lucy
Edward, your darling Lucy, she never complains
but she isgrowing thinnerand thinner every day
And before God, Edward, unless you come homo
we must die. Your MARY.
Turning to the prisoner, asked: "What
did you do when you received this letter p
He replied: 81 made application for furlough
and it was rejected; again l made application
and it was rejected; third time I made ap
plication, and it was rejected, and that night
as wandered backward and forward in the
camp, thinking of my home, with the mild
eyes of Lucy looking up to me, and the burn
ing words of Mary sinking in my brain, | 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 fired upon me- i
went to my home. Mary ran out to meet me
her angel arms embraced me; and she whis
pered, oh Edward, am SO happy! J. an
so glad you got your furlough!' Che must
have felt me shudder, for she turned pale az
death, and catching her breath at every word
she said, Have you come without your fur
Tough? Oh Edward, Edward, 60 back &c
back! Let me and my children 60 down to
gether to the grave, but Oh for heavens sake
save the honor of our name! And here am
gentlemen, not brought here by military pow
er but in obedience to the command Of Mary
to abide the sentence of your court"
Every officer Of that court-martial felt the
force of the prisoners words Before them
stood, in beati6c vision, the eloquent pleadel
for a husbands and fathers wrongs; but they
had been trained by their great leader, Rob
ert E. Lee, to tread the path of duty, though
the lightnings flash scorched the ground be
meath their feet, and each in his turn pro
nounced the verdict-guilty. Fortunately
for humanity, fortunately for the Confedera
cy, the proceedings of the court were reviewed
, by the commanding general, and upon th'
record was written:
HEADQUARTERS, A. n. Y.
The finding of the court is approved. I'M
prisoner is pardoned and will report to hi
,,,, r f. LEE General