Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-03-13
Confederate Story.

bia, Ala, Gen. Cullen A. Battle related
the following story in tho course of his
speech:
During tho winter Of 1863-64, il was
my fortune to be president Of one of the
courts-martial Of tho Army Of Northern
Virginia. One bleak December morning,
whilo tho snow covered tic ground and the
winds howled around our camp, left my
bivouao fro to attend tho session Of the
court. Winding along for miles, uncertain
paths, at cngth arrived at tho court, at
Round Oak Church.
Day by day it hnd been our duty to try
tho 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 morn.
ing awaited tho opening of the court.
Case after case was disposed Of, and at
longth tho oase Of "Tho Confederate States
vs. Edward Cooper" was called charge dc
sertion. A low murmur rose spontaneously
from tho battlc-scarred spectators as a
young artileryman rose from the prisoner 8
bench, AMI in response to tho question
"Guilty or not guity?' answered, "Not
guilty"
The Judge Advocate was proceeding to
open prosecution, when tho court, observing
that the prisoner WAS unattended by counsel,
interposed aud inquired of tho accused,
"Who is your counsel?' Supposing that
1t was his purpose to represent himself be-
fore the court, tho Judge Advocate was
INSTRUCTED to proceed. Every charge and
specification against tho prisoner was
sustained. The prisoner vas then told to
introduoc his witnesses. Ho replied: Il
have no Witnesses Aston ishcd at the
oalmness with which he seemed submitting
TO what he regarded as inevitable fate,
said to him: "Hovo you no defence? Is it
possible thot you abandoned your comrades
and deserted your colors without any rea-
sonr' He replied" is reason but
1t will avail me nothing in military court"
1 said: "Perhaps you are mistaken; you
arc charged with the highest crime known
to military law, and it is your duty to make
known tho causes that influenced your ac-
tions." For tho first timo his manly form
trembled and his blue eyes swan in tears
Approaching tho president of tho court he
presented letter saying as he did So:
''Thcre General Is what done it," | opened
the letter and in q moment my Dyes filled
with tears. 1t was passed from ono to the
other of tho court until at last all had seen
it, 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 tho letter as the defence Of the priso,,
er. It was 10 these words:
"My dear Edward: havo always been
proud of you, and since your connection
with the Confederate army have teen
prouder of you than ever before. I would
not have you do anything wrong for the
world; but before God, Edward, unless you
come homo wc must dicl Last night 1 was
aroused by little Eddie crying. called
and said: "What's the matter Eddic?" and
no said. ooh, mamma, I'm so hungry
And Lucy, Edward-your darling Lucy
che never complains, but sho is growing
thinner and thinner every day. And be
fore God, Edward, unless you come home
we must die. Your MARY"
Turning to tho prisoner l asked: "Wha,
did you do when you received this?" He
replied: "I made application for furlougl
and it was rejected; again mado applca
tion and it was rejected; third time
made application and it was rejected, and
that night wandered backward and for
ward thinking Of my home, with the mild
eyes of Lucy looking up to me, and the
burning words Of Mary sinking into my
brain; was no longer the Confederate SOL
der, but the father Of Lucy and tho hus-
band Of Mary, and l would have passed
those lines had every gun in the battery
firoi at me. wont to my home MARY
ran to meet me; her angel arms embraced
me, aud whispered: ooh Edward, am &c
happy? am 80 glad you got your furlou .h7'
She must have folt me shuddcr, for sh,
turned pale as death, and catching he
breath at every word sho said: Have 70,
como home without your furlough2 Oh
Edward, Edward, 60 back! go taok! Let nj
and my children 60 down together to th
grave, but, oh, for heavens sake save tn
honor of your namev Aud here on
gentlemen, not brought here by militar,
powor, but in obedience to the command O
Mary, to abide the sentence of your court!'
Every officer Of that court-murtial fel
the force of tho prisoners words. Befor
them stood, in beatifio viaion, the eoquen
pleader for husbands and fathers wrongs
but they had been trained by their leader
Robert j.. Lee, to tread tho path of dute
though the lightning fash scorchcd tn
ground beneath their feet, and each n hi
turn pronounced the verd!ot-- guilty. For
tunately for humanity, fortunately for th
Confederacy, the proceedings Of the cou