Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-08-23
HIS WIFE'S LETTER.

Why u Brave Soldier Deserted From the
Confederate Army.
A New York letter in the Baltimore
American says: There was buried at
Greenwood to-day man with a curious
history. He had been Confederate sol
dier, 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 court-martial of the Army
of Northern Virginia. The prisoner was
told to introduce his witnesses. He re-
piled, II have no witnesses" Astonish-
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?'
''Thcre was Il reason" replied Cooper,
'"but it will not avail me before mill
tary ,fibunal."
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-
tions."
Approaching the president of the
court Cooper presented a letter, saying
as he did so, There, General, is what
did it,
The letter was offered as the pris-
oner's defense. 1t was in these words:
Dear Edward; Since yomr connection with
the Confederate army have been prouder of
you than ever bef re. / would not hive you do
any thing wrong for he " orld, but before God,
Edward, unless you come home we must die
Last nirht was aroused by little Eddie cry
ing. called to him and said: What is the
matter Eldic?' He repl eds 20, mamma, l
am so hungry" Aud Lucy, your darling Lucy!
she never complains, but she grows thinner
every day, Bcfor, God, Edward, unless you
come home we must de! YOUR MARY.
Turning to the prisoner General Bat
tie asked: What did you do when you
received that letter?'
Cooper replied: II made application
for furough--it was rejected. Again
| made application, and it was rciNted.
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 / was no longer the Confederate
soldier but | was the father of Lucy and
the husband of Mary.
II every gun in the battery had been
fired upon me, | would have passed
those lines. When / reached home,
Mary flung her arms about my neck and
sobbed: 30, my Edward! 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 Lack! Let me and the chill
dred go down TO the grave, but. for
Heavens sake, save the honor of our
+namesn'
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:
HEADQUARTERS A. N. v.
The finding of the court approved The
prisoner is pardoncd, and will report to his com
pnny. H. 10. LEE General.