The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-02-20
MisIellanen1ls.
A Case of DesertiOD in the Confederate
Army.

1he following incident was related by zen.
G. A Battle, of Alabama, in speech deliver
ed Il few years ago, at Tuscumbia, Ala:
During the winter of 1923 it was my
fortune to be present at one of the courts
martial of the Army of Northern Virginia
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 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 murmur rose spon-
taneously from the batte-scarred spectators
as young arllleryman rose from the priso-
ners bench, and, in response to the question,
Guilty or not guilty ?" answered mot gull
ty." The Judge Advocate was proceeding TO
open the prosecution when the court observ-
ing that the prisoner was unattended by Coun-
sci, interposed and inquired of the accused,
"who is your counsel?" He replied, II have no
COUNSEL Supposing that it was his purpose
to represent himself before the court, the
Judge Advocate was instructed to proceed
Every charge and specification against the
prisoner was sustained. The prisoner was
asked to introduce his witnesses. He replied,
Il have no Witnesses Astonished Mt the
calmness with which he seemed to be sub.
hitting to what he regarded as inevitable
fate, | said to him, "Have you no defence?
Is it possible that you abandoned your com.
rades and deserted your coors in the presence
of the enemy without any reason?" He re-
piled, There was a reason, but it will not
avail me before military court" | said,
perhaps you are mistaken, you are charged
with the highest crime known to military
law, and it is your duty to make known the
cause that influenced your actions" For the
first time his manly form trembed, and his
blue eyes swan in tears. Approaching The
president of the court, he presented letter,
saying as he did so, There, Colonel is what
did it," l opened the letter, and in a
moment my eyes filled with tears. Ii 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 de-
fence. 1t was in these words:
MY Dear Edward-I have always been
proud of you, and since your connection with
the Confederate Army l have been prouder
of you than ever before. would not have
you do anything wrong for the world but
before God, Edward, unless you come home
VIC must die! Last night / was aroused by
little Eddie crying called and said, What's
the matter, EddieT and he said oh, mamma,
am so hungryP And Lucy, Edward, your
darling Lucy, she never complains, but she is
mil thinner
And before God, Edward, unless you come
home we must die. Your MARY"
Turning to the prisoner, l asked, what
did you do when you received this letter ?"
He replied, VI made application for fur
Tough, and it was rejected again 1 made APP
plication and it was rejected third time l
made application and it was rejected, and
that night, as l wandered backward and for
ward in the camp, thinking of my home with
the mild eyes of Lucy looking up to me, and
the burning words of Mary sinking in my
brain, was no longer the Confederate SOL
der, but was the father of Lucy and the
husband of Mary, and l would have passed
those lines if every gun in the battery had
fired upon me. l went 10 my home. Mary
ran out to meet me her angel arms embraced
me, and she whispered, %, Edward, l am so
happy l am so glad you got your furlough
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 without your furlough? oh, Edward,
Edward, go back go back Let me and my
children go down to the grave, but o, for
heavens sake, save the honor of our name
And here am, gentlemen, not brought here
by military power, but in obedience to the
command of Mary, to abide the sentence of
your court"
&c 81, t;alC ,1t 81,
force Of the prisoners words. Before them
stood in beatfic vision, the eloquent pleader
for husbands and fathers wrongs; but they
had been trained by their great leader,
Robert E. Lee, to tread the path of duty
though the lightning's flash scorched the
ground beneath their feet, and each in turn
pronounced the verdict: Guilty. Fortu-
nately for humanity, fortunately for the Con-
federacy, the proceedings of the court were
reviewed by the commanding General, and
upon the record was written:
Headquarters Army Northern Virginia.
The finding of the court is approved. The
prisoner is pardoned, and will report to his
company. r. E. Lee, General" During
subsequent battle, when shot and shell were
falling, like torrents from the mountain
cloud" my attention was directed to the fact
that one of our batteries was being sieuced by
the concentrated fire of the enemy When |
reached the battery every gun but one had
been dismanted, aud by it stood q solitary
Confederate soldier, with the blood streaming
from his side. AS he recognized me, he
elevated his voice above the roar of battle, and
said: General have one shell left. Tell
me have | saved the honor of Mary and
Lucy ?" raised my hat Once more Con-
federate shell went crashing through the
ranks OF the enemy, and the hero sank by his
gun TO rise no more.
HVnnr Cal har 10 antiroiy ha1d nou, ;anit