Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-10-12
A Confederate Story.
IN e Letter That Caused q Desertion
Extract From Southern EN-General's
speech In Alabama.


At a recent political gathering in TuScum
bia, Ala, General Cullen 4. Battle related the
following touching story in the course Of lis
speech:
" During the winter Of lsG3-Gi il was my
fortune TO be president Of one. of the courts
martial Of the Army Of Norihera Virguis.-
One bleak December morning, while the snow
covered the ground and the winds howled
around our camp | left my bivouac TIRE t.
attend the session of the court \ Winding
along for miles unceriain'paths. at length
arrived at the court ground at Round OAK
church.
Day after day il had been our duty TO try
the gallant soldiers of thatarmy, charged with
violations Of military law but never had
on any previous occasion been greeted bysuch
anxious spectators as on that morning awaited
the opening Of the court. Case after case was
disposed Of, aud at length the case Of The
Confederate States, VS., Edward Cooper" was
called-charged, deserIion. 4 low murmur
rose spontaneously from the baitle-scarJei
spectators, as a young arilleFytnan rose from
the prisoners bench, aud in response 10 tho
question, "Guilty or not guilty p answered
Not guilty"
The Judge Advocate was proceeding o.
open the prosecution when the court observing
that the prisoner was unattended. by counsel.
nterposed aud inquired Of the accused, "Who
is your counsel ?" He replied: 3" have no
counsel SuppOsing that it was his purpose
10 represent himself before the court, the Judge
Advocate was instructed TO proceed Every
charge aud specification against the prisoner
was sustained. The prisoner was then told
TO introduce bis witnesses, He replied, Il"
have no witnesses" Aston shed at the calm
ness with which he seemed. 20 be.submittiue
TO what he regarded as inevitable fate. | said
to him: =" Have you no defence is il pOssi-
ble that you abandoned your comrades and
deserted your cOlorS in the presence Of the
enemy without any reason lie replied
There was reason bUt il will not avail noe
before a military court" | said 4" Perhaps
you are mistaken you are charged with tho
highest crime known 10 military law, aud il
is your duty TO make known the causes that
influenced your actions" For the first time
his manly form trembled, and bis blue eyes
swan in tears. Approaching the President Of
the court he presented letter, saying rs Ia
did so, There, General is what did it,
opened the letter aud n a moment my eyes
filled with tears. Ii was passed from one 10
the other Of the court until nj last all had seer
il, and those stern warriors who had passed
with Stonewall Jackson through hundred
battles wept like little children. Soon as |
sufficiently recovered my self-possession
read the letter as the defence OF the prisoner.
II was 10 these words:
Nv DEAR EDwARD:-I have always been
proud Of you aud since your connection With
the Confederate army have been prouIer "
yon than ever before. would not have you
do anything wrong for the world. but before
God, T. lwarl, unless you come homo we must
die. Last night was aroused by little Eddie
crying called and said: g" What's tho
matter Eddie - aud he said 4" Oh matnms.
I'm so hungry" And Lucy, Edward. your
darling Lucy. she never complins but sho
10 growing thinner and thinner every day
And before God, Edward, unless you come
home VIC must die.
YOUR MARY.
Turning 20 the prisoner ! asked What
did you do when You received this letter ~
10 replied d" | made application for a fur
Tough, aud it was rejected again made
application aud il was rejected a Lird tms
| made application and il was rejected, aud
that night AZ wandered backward aud for
ward in the camp, thinking Of ny home with
the mild eyes Of Lucy looking up to mr.. aud
the burning words Of Mary sinking in NY
brain, was no longer the Confederate soldier.
bet was the father Of Lucy and the husband
d Mary, aud ! would have passed those liacs
il every gun in the battery bad fred az me-
| went to my home. Mary ran ovt 10 NEE,
me, her angel arms embraced me. aud she
" whispered "Oh Edward, I ain so happy
am 50 glad you got your furlOugh :" She
must have felt me shudder iyr she turned pals
as death, aud catching her breath at every
word, she said slave you come without
your furough? Oh Edward, Edward. e
back 60 back Let me aud ny children 60
down together to the grave. but oh. br
bcayon's sake saye the hoLor Of our name -
Aud here am, gentlemen, not brought here
by military power. but IN obedience 10 the
command Of Mary. 20 abide the sentence Il
your court"
Every officer Of that court martial fslt the
forcc Of tbo prisoners words Before them
stood in beatifc vision the eloquent peadcr
for a husbands and n fathers wrongs but
they had been trained By their great csis-
Robert l.. Lee TO tread the path Of duty
though the lightning's fash scorchcd the
ground beneath their feet, and each 10 bis turn
pronounced the ycrdict-guiliy. Fortunately
ior humanity, fortunately for the Coufederacy,
the proceedings Of the court were reviewed by
he Commanding General, aud upoo the record
was written
HEADoCARTERs A. y. V
The fodirc Of tic court is approved. Tho
prisoner is pardoHel aud will report 10 bis
company r. r. LEE. Gen.
During the second battle Of Cold Harbour.
when shot and she'll were falling like torrents
rom the mountain cloud" my attention was
directed 10 tbc fact that ore VI our batteries
vas being silenced by the concentrated FIRE II
be enemy. When reached The battery every
,un but one had been disma1iled and by II
TODD solitary Confederate soldier, with the
Hood streatling from bis side. As be recos-
lized me be elevated bis voice above the roar
4 the battle and said General, have ore
hell left. Tell me have sayel the honor q
iary and Lucy" raised my bat. Once
more Confederate she'll went crashing through
lie ranks Of the enemy and the hero sank ty
lis gun 10 rise 90 more"
Trcuira PtIEs "-is one of the mort isnnoying
f, hg % srd