The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-05-15
Confederate Story.

Confederate Story.
At a recent political gathering in Tuscum
bia, Ala, Gen. Cullen A. Battle related the
following story in the course OF his speech:
During the winter of 1868. it was my for
tune to be president Of the court martials o.
the Army of Northern Virginia. One bleak
December morning, while snow covered the
ground and the winds howled around oul
camp, left my bivouac fire to attend the
session of the court. Winding along fol
miles, uncertain paths. I at length arrived al
the court, and Round Oak church.
Day by day, it had been our duty to try
the gallant soldiers OF that army, charged
with violations of the military law; but
never had I, on any previous occasion bee n
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 VS.. Edward Cooper was called
charge, desertion. A low murmer rose
spontaneously from the battle scared specta-
tors as young artileryman rose from the
prisoners bench, and in response to the
question, Guilty or not guilty p answered,
Not guilty.
When the Judge Advocate was proceeding
to open the prosecution and the court OBJ
serving that the prisoner was unattended by
counsel, interposed and inquired Of the &C
cused, ''Who is your counstl?" Surprising
that 1t was his purpose to represent himself
before the court; the Judge Advocate was
instructed to proceed. Every charge and
specification against the prisoner was sus-
tanned. The prisoner was then told to in
troduce his witnesses. He replied, Il have no
witnesses Astonished at the calmness with
which he seemed submitting TO what he re-
garded as inevitable fate, said to him
Have you no defense? Is it possit l. that you
abandoned your comrades and deserted your
colors without any reason" He replied,
.sThere is reason but ir avails me nothing
in military COURT" said, perhaps you are
mistaken; you are charged with the highest
crime known to the military law. and it is
your duty to make. known the causes that
Influenced your act lons." For the first time
his manly form trembled and his blue eyes
swan in tears. Approaching the president
the court he presented letter. saying
as he did SO, ''There General is what done
it," Iepened the letter and in moment
my eyes filed 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
hundred battles, wept like little child.
Soon as sufficiently recovered my self-pos
session, read the letter as the defense Of
the prisoner. 1t was in these words:
My DEAR EDWARD Il have always
been proud of you, and since your connec-
ton with the Confederate army, l have been
prouder Of you than ever before. l would
not have you do anything wrong Cor the
world; but before God Edward unless you
come home we must die! Last night was
aroused by little Eddie crying. l called and
said whats the matter Eddie?' and he
said, oh, Mamma, I'm so hungry And
Lucy. Edward-your darling Lucy-she
never complains. but she is growing 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 p He
replied 81 made application for furlough
and it was rejected again made applica-
ton and it was rejected; third time made
application and it was rejected, and that
night I wandered backward and forward
thinklngo 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 soldier, but the
father Of Lucy and the husband of May,
and would have passed those lines had
every gun in the battery fired at me. went
to my home. Mary ran to meet me; her
angel arms embraced me, and she whisper,
ed 'Oh Edward, am so happy!' She must
have felt me shudder, for she turned pale as
death, and catching her breath at every
word. she said: Have you come home with
out furloush? Oh, Edward, Edward, go
back go back Let me and my children
20 down together to the grave, but oh, for
heavens sake save the honor of your name !
And here am, gentlemen, not brought here
by military power, but IN obedience to the
command Of Mary, to abide the sentence OF
vonr court.
Every officer of that court-martial felt the
force OF the prisoners words. Before them
stood, in beatitic vision, the eloquent
pleader for husbands and falher's wrongs
but they had been trained by their great
leader, Robert E. Lee, to tread the path OF
duty, though the lightning fash scorch.
the ground beneath their feet and each IL
his turn pronounced the vsrdct-guilty
Fortunately for huma nifty, fortunately for
the Confederacy, the proceedings Of the
court were reviewed by the commanding
General, and upon the record was written
HEADQUARTERS A. N. V.
The finding OF the court is approved. The
company. r E. LEE, Genl.
During the second battle of Cod Harbor.
WREN shot and she'll were falling like tor
rents from the mountain cloud, my attention
| was directed to the fact that one Of our bat :
ttries was being silenced by the concentrate
ed fire of the enemy. I hurried, and when
| reached the battery every gun, with one
exception, had b. Ell dismantled, and by il
stood solitary Confederate soldier, with
blood streaming from his side. AS he rec.
ognized me he elevated his voice and said
General, have one shell left, tell me, have
saved the honor OF Mary and Lucy?'
raised my hat. Once more Confederate
shell went crushing through the ranks Of
the enemy, and the hero sank by his gun tc
rise no more.
The New York Times says: 1.-THE recent
| circulars of Messrs. Fisk & Hatch, addressed
particularly to the holders of called bonds
and to others intending t. place money in
the per cent. loan, state with clearness
and force the remarkable facts bearing or
the closing issues of the new loan. The gov
eminent has in four months sold over $500,
| 100000 Of 4 per cents. and for the Sl94, 600,
| 600 last offered to meet the ten-fOrtieS re.