Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-10-23
selctted gMistellanu.
A CONFEDERATE STORY.

cumbia, Ala, General Cullen A Battle
related the following touching story in
the course of his speech:
During the winter of 1863-64 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-fre to attend the ses-
sion 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 charged 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 as Ed
ward Cooper" was called charge, deser-
ton. A low murmur arose spontaneous
" from the battlc-scarrcd spectators as a
young artilleryman rose from the pris-
oners' bench, and, in response to the
question, Guilty or not guilty Z" an
swered, "Not guilty"
The judge-advocate was proceeding 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 2"
He replied, 81 have no counsel" Sup
posing that it was his purpose to repre-
sent himself before the court the Judge
advocate was instructed to proceed ~
Every charge and specification against
the prisoner was sustained The pri-
soner was then told to introduce his
witness. He replied, [ have no witness
es" Astonshed at the calmness with
which he seemed to be submitting to
what he regarded as inevitable fate,
said to him, "Havc you no defence Is
it possible that you abandoned your
comrades and deserted your colors in the
presence of the enemy, without any rea-
son p He replied ''There was reason,
but it will not avail me before a military
court" | said, perhaps you are mis-
taken; 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 trembled, and his
blue eyes swan in tears. Approaching
the president Of the court, he presented
letter, saying as he did so, There,
General, is what did it." | opened the
/ laI
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 a hun
bred battles wept like children. Soon
as | sufficiently recovered my self-pos-
session read the letter as the defence
of the prisoner. 1t was in these words:
"My Dear Edward, Il 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 world; 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 p and he
said. oh, mamma, I'm so hungry p
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
home we must die"
Your MARY.
Turning to the prisoner, asked, "What
did you do when you received this let
teri p He replied. II made application
for furlough. and it was rejected again
/ made application and it was rejected !;
third time made application. and it
was rejected; and that night, as | wan
dered backward and forward 10 the camp,
thinking ofmy home, with the mild eyes
of my Lucy looking up to me, and the
burning words Of Mary sinking in my
brain. | was no longer the Confederate
soldier, but | 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. | went to
my home. Mary ran out TO meet me,
her angel arms embraced me, and she
whispered o, Edward, Lam 50 happy,