Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-03-09
DISCIPLINE.

During tho winter Of 1864 It was my
fortune 10 10 president OF ono Of tho
court martihls Of tho Army Of Northern
Virginia One bleak December morn.
Ing. while tho snow covered the ground
and tho winds howled around our camp,
left my bivouac Are to attend the scs-
sion Of tho court. Winding for miles
along uncertain paths l at length ar.
rived at the court ground at Round Oak
Church.
Day after day II had been our duty TO
try tho gallant soldiers Of that army
charged with violations Of military law
But mover had l 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 longth tho
case Of 1.-THE Confederate States versus
Edward Cooper was called-tho charge,
desortion. A low murrnur rose spon-
taneously from the battle SCARED spec.
tators az young artilleryman rose from
tho prisoners bench and, In response 10
the question Guilty, or not guilty. an.
swered, mot guilty"
Tho judge advocate was proceeding 10
open the prosecution, when the court,
observing that tho prisoner was unat-
tended by counsel. interposed and said
10 the accused
"Who Is your counselr'
81 have no counsel" he replied.
Surprising that II was his intention 10
represent himself before tho court. tho
Judge advocate was directed to proceed
Every charge and specification against
the prisoner WINS sustained. The prison
or was then told to Introduce his wit
nesses
II have no Witnesses" he replied.
Astonished at tho calmneSs with
which he seemed " be submitting 10
what no regarded ~ inevitable fate.
said to him;
"Havo you no defensci In II possible
Sou abandoned your comrades and de
serted your oolors in tho presence Of M
enemy without any reasonr"
"Thers was reason, but II will not
avail me before military court"
Perhaps you are mistaken" l replied.
"You are charged with tho highest crime
known to military law, and 1t Is your
duty to make known the cause that in
fuonced your actions"
For the hrst time his manly form
trombled and his blue eyes swan In
tears. Approaching tho president Of tht
court no presented letter. saying as he
did so;
There, general, is whit did It,"
Iopened the letter, and In u moment
my eyes were filed with tears. Il wa
passed from one TO another OF the court
until all had seen II, and those sterf
warriors, who had passed with Stone
wall jackson through hundred battles
wept like little children. As soon rs
had recovered my self possession real
tho letter as tho defense of tho prisoner
II was In these wordsi
MY DEAR EpwAnD-I have always beel
proud Of you, and since your connection Will
tho Confederate army have been proudor o
you than ever before. | would not have yo
do anything wrong for the world; but, befor
God, dear Edward, unless you come home "
must die. Last night was aroused by It'll
Edgar'a crying. called out and said, "wha
Is tho matter, Fiddler" and he said, "Oh, man
darling Lucy, she never complains but she
growing thinner and thinner every day. Ant
before God. my dear Edward, unless you CON
home we must die Of starvation.
YouR MARY.
After reading tho letter turned t
the prisoner and said;
"What did you do when you receive
this letter. Did you apply for loav
of absence to the proper otficorsg'
II made application for furloug
and 1t was rejected; again made a
application and II was rejected; thir
time | made application and thoy 7,
fused to grant 1t, That night rs wal
dered backward and forward in II
camp thinking OF my home, with Il
mild eyes OF Lucy looking toward II
and the burning words OF Mary sinlin
deep into my brain, was no longer Il
Confederate soldier, but WIS the faith
OF Lucy and the husband OF Mary, and
would have passed those lines II even
gun in tho battery had fired upon me,
went to my home, Mary ran out
meet me-her angel arms embraced n
and she whispered;
"'oh, Edward, am so happyl a
10 glad you got your furloughr
'She must have felt me shuddsr, {,
she turned Us pale as death, and the
catching her breath at every word, 81
said.
"'Have you come without your fu
loughl oh, Edward, Edward, 70 bac
Go back! Let me and my children
down together to the grave, but, oh, 4
heavens sake, save the honor Of yol
namov
II at once returned, and here | AZ
gentlemen. not brought here by militia
power, but in obedience TO the commar
Of Mary, to abide tho sentence Of yol
lnurt."