Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-03-10
DISCIPLINE.


court martials of the Army Of Northern
Virginia. One bleak December morn
ing, while the snow covered the ground
and the winds howled around our camp
left my bivouac fire 10 attend the ses-
sion Of the court Winding for miles
along uncertain paths | at length ar
rived at the court ground at Round Oak
Church.
Day after day it had been our duty to
try the gallant soldiers OF that army.
charged with violations of military law.
But never had | on any previous occa-
sion been greeted with such anxious
spectators as on that morning awaited
the opening of the court. Case after
case was disposed of, and at length the
case Of "The Confederate States versus
Edward Cooper" was called--the charge.
desertion. \ low murmur rose spon-
taneously from the battle SCARED spec
tators as young artilleryman rose from
the prisoners bench and. in response to
the question Guilty, or not guilty. an
swered, mot guilty"
The judge advocate was proceeding to
open the prosecution, when the court,
observing that the prisoner was unat-
tended by counsel, interposed and said
TO the accused:
"Who is your counsel.'
II have no counsel" he replied
Supposing that il was his intention TO
represent himself before tho court, the
judge advocate was directed TO proceed.
Every charge and specification against
the prisoner was sustained. The prison.
or was then told TO introduce his wit.
nesses.
II have no witnesses" he replied.
Astonished dt tho calmness with
which he seemed TO be submitting TO
what he regarded rs inevitable fate.
said to him:
"Have you no defense? Is it possible
you abandoned your comrades and de-
serted your colors IN the presence Of an
enemy without any reason!"
There wasa reason, but it will not
avail me before military court"
Perhaps you are mistaken" replied.
You are charged with the highest crime
known to military law, and it is your
duty to make known the cause that in
fuenced your actions"
For the first time his manly form
trembled and his blue eyes swan In
tears. Approaching the president Of tho
court he presented letter, saying as he
did so:
"Tbere, general, is what did it,"
opened the letter. and in n moment
my eyes were filled with tears. It was
passed from one to another of the court
until all had seen it. and those stern
warriors. who had passed with Stone
wall jackson through hundred battles,
wept like little children. AS soon as !
had recovered my self possession read
the letter as the defense of tho prisoner.
1t was in these words:
Ny DEAR EDwARD-l have always been
proud of you, and since your connection with
tho Confederate army have been prouder of
you than ever before. l would not have you
do anything wrong for the world; but, before
God, dear Edward, unless you como homo we
must die. Last night was aroused by little
Edgar's crying. called out and said, What
il the matter, Eddie?" and he said, "Oh, man.
ma. I'm so hungry!" And Lucy, Edward, your
darling Lucy, che never complains, but she's
growing thinner and thinner every day. And,
before God, my dear Edward, unless you come
home we must die OF starvation.
YouR MARY.
After reading the letter | turned to
the prisoner and said:
"What did you do when ydM received
this letter? Did you apply for a leave
of absence to the proper oflicersT'
Il made application for furlough
and it was rejected; again | made an
- to1 ,;,.I
time | made application and they re-
fused to grant it, That night rs | wan
dered backward and forward in the
camp thinking of my home, with the
mild eyes Of Lucy looking toward me
and the burning words of Mary sinking
deep into my brain, was 10 longer the
Confederate soldier, but | was the father
of Lucy and the husband Of Mary, and
would have passed those lines if every
gun in tho battery had fired upon me. !
went to my home. Mary ran out to
meet me-her angel arms embraced me
and she whispered:
"'Oh, Edward, am so happy! am
so glad you got your furiough!'
"She must have felt mo shudder, for
she turned rs pale as death, and then,
catching her breath at every word, she
said:
Have you come without your fur
lough? oh, Edward, Edward, go back!
Go back! Let me and my children go
down together to the grave, but, oh, for
heavens sake, save tho honor of your
namev
Il at once returned, and here l am,
gentlemen. not brought here by military
power, but in obedience to the command
of Mary. to abide tho sentence Of your
court"
Every soldier of that court martial
felt the force OF the prisoners words.
Before them stood in beatific vision tho
eloquent pleader for husbands and
fathers wrongs, but they had been
trained by their great leader, Robert Z.
Lee, to tread the path Of duty though
the lightning's flash scorched the ground
beneath their feet, and each in turn pro-
nounced the verdict-guilty.
But fortunately for humanity, fortu-
nately for the Confederacy, the proceed
ings of the court were reviewed by the
commanding general, and upon tho rec.
ord was written:
iIEApouARrERs ARMY NoRTuERsl
VIRGINIA.
The finding Of the court Is approved. Tho
prisoner. Edward Cooper, Is pardoued. and