The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1890-10-14
WHY HE DESERTED.
The Burial Of Confederate Soldier
Recalls a Romance Of the War.
New York Evening Telegram.

New York Evening Telegram
There was buried at Greenwood few
days ago a man with a curious history.
He had been a confederate soldier, as
brave as any Of his comrades, but he
deserted his army during the war and
was tried by court-maftisl for dong 80.
Edward Cooper was his name. For the
past year he has been living at No. 355
Fourth avenue.
OHe bleak December morning ia 1868
he was before court-martIsl OF tue
army Of Northern Virginia. The prisoner
was told to introduce his witnesses. He
replied;
Il have no witnesses.
Astonished at the csmness with which
be seemed to be submitting to his
inevits BILE fate, General Battle said to
| him:
'Hsve you no defense? 1t is possible
that you abandoned your comrades and
deserted your colors IN the presence OF
the euemy without reason?"
There was reason, replied Cooper,
"bus it will not avail me before mill
tafy 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 that influenced your actions.
Approaching the president OF the
court, Cooper presented letter, saying
ashe did so: "There. general, is what
did it," The letter was offered as the
prisoners defense. 1t was 10 these
words.
Dear Edward: Since your connection
with the confederate army, / 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 we must die!
Lsst night / was aroused by little Eddie
crying. | called to him aud said;
''What is the matter. EddIet" tie
| replied; "0h mamma, ] am so hungry.
And Lucy, your darling Lucy, she never
| eomplBins, but grows thinner every dav.
Before God. Edward, unless you come
home we must die.
YoUR MARY.
Turning to the prisoner General Battle
asked:
What did you do when You received
| this letter"
Cooper replied: 81 made application
| for furlough-it was rejected Agoin /
made application and 1t was rejected. /
That night as | wandered about our
camp thinking OF my home, the wild eyes
| OF Lucy looming up to me and the burn
ing words Of Mary sinking in my brain,
was no longer the confederate soldier,
but | was the father of Lucy aud the
husband Of Mary. II every gun in the
battery bad been fred upon me | would
have passed those lines. When | reached
home Mary flung her arms about my
neck and sobbed:
Z" oh, Edward? am so glad you got
your furloueh.
"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 fur
louRh? Go back, Edward, 90 back
Let me and the children 90 down to the
grave, but for heavens sake, save the
honor Of our name =
There was not an officer on that court !
martial who did rot feel the force Of the
prisoners words, but each 10 turn pro-
nounced the vefdlot-Vulty. The pro-
ceedinps II the court were reviewed by
General Lee. aud upon the record was ]
written:
HEADQUARTERS. A. N. Y.--Tbe find
iag Of the court is approved The :
prisoner is pardoned aud will report to '
his company.
r. f LEE. General.