The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-04-28
ACONFEDERATE 4 STORY

ACONFEDERATE STORY
At political gathering in Tuscum-
bia, Ala, Gen Cullen \. Battle relat-
ed the following touching story in the
course OF his speech:
During the winter of 1SG3-64 it was
my fortune to be president OF one OF
the court martials of the army OF
northern Virginia. One black Decem-
Der morning, while the snow covered
the ground and the winds howled
around our camp, | left my bivouac
fire to attend 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 my duty to try
the gallant soldiers Of the army charg-
ed with violations OF military law; but
never had on any previous occasion
been greeted by such anxious spectat-
ors as on that morning awaited the
opening OF the court. Case after case
was disposed of, and atlength the case
of "The Confederate States vs. Edward
Cooper" was called-charge, desert
ion. A low murmur arose spontane-
ously, from the battle. SCARED spectat-
ors, as young artileryman rose from
the prisoners bench and in response
to the question, Guilty Or not guilty
answered, Not guilty
The Judge advocate was proceeding
to open the prosecution, when the
court, observing that the prisoner was
unattended by council, interposed and
inquired of the accused, "Who is your
council?" Supposing it was his pur-
pose to represent himself before the
court, the Judge advocate was instruct
ed to proceed Every charge and
specification against the prisoner was
sustained. The prisoner was then told
to introduce his witnesses. He re-
piled, Il have no witnesses. Aston
ished at the calmness with which he
seemed to be submitting to what be
regarded as inevitable fate, said to
him, "Have you no defense? Is it pos
sible that you abandoned your COM
rades and deserted your colors in the
presence of the enemy without any
reason?" He replied: "Ihere was a
reason, but it Will not avail me before
military court" I said: Perhaps
YOU are mistaken; you are charged
with the highest crime known to mill
tary law, and it is your duty to make
known the cause that influenced your
actions" For the first time his man
" form trembled, aid his blue eyes
swan in tears. Approaching the
President of the court he presented q
letter, saying as he did so, ''There,
General, is what did it.
opened the letter and in moment
my eyes filed with tears 1t was
passed from one 10 another Of the
court until all had seen it, and these
stern warriors who had passed with
Stonewall Jackson through a hundred
battles wept Ike children. Soon as |
sufficiently recovered my self possess
ion, I read the letter as the defense
of the prisoner. It was il these
words:
My DEAR EDWARD: I have always
been proud of You, and since your
connection with the Confederate army
have been prouder Of You than ever
before. I would not have you do any
thing wrong for the world; but before
God, Edward, unless you come home
we must die. Last night I was arous-
ed by little Eddie's crying. [ called
and said, what's the matter, Eddie?
and he said: On, mamma, [ am 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, l asked:
"What did you do when you received
this letter." He replied: q made ap-
plication for furlough, and it was re-
iected; again I made application, and
! it was rejected, and that night, as |
wandered back and forward in the
camp, thinking OF my home, with the
mild eyes of Lucy looking up to me,
and the burning words sinking in my
brain, was no longer the confederate
soldier, out 1 was the father of Lucy
and the husband IF Mary, and I would
have passed those lines if every gun in
| the battery had fred upon me.
went to my home Mary ran to meet
me. her angel arms embraced me; and
she whispered, 80! Edward, am SO
happy; l am so glad you got your
furlough." She must have felt me
shuddcr, for she turned as pale as
death, and catching breath at every
word, she said, "have you come home
without your furlough? O, Edward
Edward, 60 back, go back. Let me
and my children go down together to
the grave, but O, for heavens sake
save the honor Of our name" And
here I am, gentlemen, not brought
here by military power, but in ODE,
dance to the command of Mary, tc
abide the sentence of your court. :"
Every officer of the court-martia