Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-09-25
HIS WIFE'S LETTER.
Why Brave Soldier Deserted From the
Confederate Army.

Why n Brave Soldier Deserted From the
Confederate Army.
A New York letter in the baltimore
American says: There was buried at
Greenwood today man with curious
history. He had been Confederate sol
der, as brave as any of his comrades,
but he deserted his army during the
war and was tried by court-martial for
doing so. Edward Cooper was his name
For the last year he has been living at
No. 355 Fourth avenue.
One bleak December morning in 1S63he
was before a court-martial of the Army
of Northern Virginia. The prisoner was
told to introduce his witnesses. lie re-
piled, 81 have no witnesses" Astonlsa-
ed at the calmness with which he seem
ed to be submitting to his inevitable
fate, General Battle said to him: "Have
you no defense? Is it possible that you
abandoned your comrades and deserted
your colors in the presence of the enemy
without reason?"
There was reason, replied Cooper,
"but it will not avail me before mill
tary tribunal"
Perhaps you are mistaken" said the
General; You are charged with the
highest crime known to military law,
and it is your duty to make known
the causes which influenced your ac-
tons"
Approaching the president of the
court, Cooper presented letter, saying
as he did so, There, General, is what
did itr'
The letter was offered as the pris-
oner's defense. 1t was in these words:
Dear Edward: Since your connection with
the Confederate army have beer prouder of
than ever hheffsTe---fwould not have you do
any thing wrong for the world, but before God.
Edward, unless you come home mus: die!
Last night was aroused by little Eddie cry
ing l called to him and said: What is the
matter Eddc?' He repl ell: 20, mamma, I
am so hungry" And Lacy, your Earring Lucy!
she never complains but she grows thinner
every day Bcfor, Cod Edward unless you
come home we must die. YOUR MARY.
Turning to the prisoner, General Bat
tie asked: what did you do when you
received that letter?'
Cooper replied: 81 made application
for furlough-it was rejected. Again
I made application, and it was rejected.
That night as | wandered about our
camp thinking of my home, the wild
eyes of Lucy looking up to me, and the
burning words of Mary sinking in my
brain, l was no longer the Confederate
soldier but was the father of Lucy and
the husband of Mary.
eff every gun in the battery had been
fired upon me, l would have passed
those lines. When l reached home,
Mary flung her arms about my neck and
sobbed: 80, my Edward! l am so glad
you got your furlough.' She must have
felt me shudder, for she turned as pale
as death, and catching her breath at
every word, she said: Have you come
without your furlough? Go back, Ed
ward, go back! Let me and the chill
dred go down TO the grave, but, for
Heavens sake, save the honor of our
namesp'
There was not an officer on that court
martial who did not feel the force of the
prisoners words, but each in turn pro-
nounced the verdict-guilty. The pro-
ceedings of the court were reviewed by
General Lee, and upon the record was
written:
HEL-C;rARTERs A. n. V.
The finding OF the court approved The
prisoner is pardoned, and will report TO his COM
pany. r Z. LEE General.