The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-27
WHY HE DESERTED.
The Thrilling Romance of q Confed
crate Soldier.

The Thrilling Romance of q Confed-
crate Soldier.
N. Y. Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun.
There was buried at Greenwood to-day 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-martial for
doing So Edward Cooper was his name
For the past year he has been living at No.
$50 Fourth avenue.
Que bleak December morning in 1868 he
was before court-martial OF the Army of
Northern Virginia. The prisoner was told
to introduce his witnesses. He replied, II
have no witnesses" Astonished at the
calmness with which he seemed to be sub
hitting to his inevitable fate, Gen. Battle
said to him: Have you no defense9 Is it
possible that you have abandoned your COM
rades and deserted your colors in the pres
euce of the enemy without reasonp
There was a reason" replied Cooper,
''but it will not avail me before a military
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 cause that inhu-
enced your actions
Approaching the president of the court,
Cooper presented letter. saying as he did
SO: There. general, is what did itw
The letter was offered as the prisoners
defense. 1t was i'll 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!
Last night was aroused by little Eddie crying.
! called to him and said: 'What is the matter,
Eddie?'' He replied 30, mamma, | am so
hungry" And Lucy, your darliug Lucy. She
never complains. But S ne grows thinner and
thinner every day. Before God, Edward,
less you come home we must die.
Your MARY
Turning to the prisoner, Gen. Bate
asked: "What did you do when you re-
ceived that letters"
Cooper replied 81 made application for a
furlough. 1t was rejected. Again | made
application and it was rejected. That
ing of my home, the wild eyes Of Lucy
looking up to me and the burning words Of
Mary sinking in my brain, was no longer
the confederate soldier, but was the father
of Lucy and the husband of Mary.
''If every gun in the battery had BEEN
fired upon ME | would have passed those
lines When l reached home Mary flung
her arms around my neck and sobbed: %,
my Edward! | am 50 glad you got your
furlough. She must have felt me shudder
for she turned as pale as death, and catch
ing her breath at every word, she said:
Have you come without your furlough?
Go back Edward, go back! Let me and
the children go 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 not feel the force of the
prisoners words, but each in turn pro-
nounced the verdict guilty. The proceed
ings Of the court were reviewed by Gen.
Lee, and upon the record was written:
Headquarters A. N. V.-The finding Of the
court approved. The prisoner is pardoned and
will report to his company.
r. Z. LEE General.