Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-07-24
MisGellamenMs.
A CASE OF DISCRETION.

The following incident was related by
Gen. g. A. Battle, of Alabama, in a
speech delivered few years ago at Tus-
cumbia, Ala:
During the winter of 1923 it was
my fortune to be president of u court
martial of the Army of Northern Vir-
ginia. One bleak December morning,
while the snow covered the ground and
the winds howled around our camp, /
left my bivouac fire to attend the sessions
of the court. Winding for miles along
uncertain paths, | at length arrived 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 laws
but never had | on any previous occa-
sion been greeted by such anxious spec
tators as on that morning awaited the
opening of the court, Case after case
was disposed of, and at length the case
of "Thc Confederate States VS.. Edward
Cooper" was called--chargc, dcsertion.
A low murmur rose spontaneously from
the battle-scarred spectators as young
artilleryInan rose from the prisoners
bench. and, in response to the question.
"iuilty or not guilty 7" answered "not
guilty The Judge-Advocate was pro-
ceeding to open the prosecution when
the court observing that the prisoner
was unattended by counsel, intcrposed
and inquired of the accused, "who is
your counsel lie replied, IL have no
counsel" Surprising that it was his
purpose to represent himself before the
court, the Judge-Advocate was instruct
cd to proceed Every charge and speci-
iication against the prisoner was sus-
tanned The prisoner was then told to
introduce bis witnesses IIc replied,
II have no Witnesses" Astonishcd at
the calmness with which he seemed to
be submitting to what he regarded rs
inevitable fate, said to him, "IIave
you no defence I Is it possible that you
abandoned your comrades and deserted
your colors in the presence Of the enemy
without any rcason| lie replied, "Therc
was II reason, but it will not avail me
before military court " | said, "Pcr-
haps you are mistaken; you are charged
with the highest crime known to mill
tary law, and il is your duty to make
known the causes that Influenced your
actions" For the first time his manly
form tremblcd, and his blue eye swan
in tears. Approaching the president Of
the court, he presented letter, saying
as he did so, "thcrc, Colonel, is what
did it, opened the letter, and in
moment my eyes filled with tears IL
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 children Soon
as | sufficiently recovered my self-pos-
session | read the letter as the prisoners
defence 1t was in these words:
Nh Dear Ed,oayd IL have always
been proud of you, and since your con-
ncction with the Confederate army have
been proudcr Of you than 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 | was aroused by little Eddie
crying. called and said, whats the
matter Eddic?" and he said, ooh.
mamma, | am so so hungry" 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 all die.
"YoUR MARY"
Turning to the prisoner, / asked,
"what did you do when you received
this letter y He replied, III made ap-
plication for furlough, and it was re-
jectcd again | made application and it
was rejected, and that night, as | wan
dered 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,
I was no longer tho Confederate soldier,
but was tho father Of Lucy and the
husband Of Mary, and | would have
passed those lines IL every gun 10 the
battery had fired upon me. | went to
my home. Mary ran out to meet me |;
her angel arms embraced mo, and she
whispered. %, Edward, | am SO happy !!
am so glad you got your furlough !!
She must have felt me shudder, for sho
turned pale as death, and, catching her
breath at every word, she said Have
you come home without your furlough 7
o, Edward, Edward. go back 90 back
Let mo and my children 60 down to the
grave, but D, for heavens sake, save
tho honor Of our name J And here am,
gentlemen, not brough. here by mill.
tary power, but in obedience TO The com
mand OF Mary, to lbide the sentence Of