The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-03-26
DISCIPLINE.

fortune TO be president Of one Of the
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 biyouac Gre TO attend the ses-
sion Of the court. Winding for miles
along uncertain paths 1 at length ar
rived at the court ground at Round Oak
Church.
Day after day it had been our duty to
try tho 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 tho court Case after
case was disposed Of, and at length the
case Of The Confederate States versus
Edward Cooper was called-the charge,
desortion A low murmur rose spon-
taneously from the battle SCARED spec
tator8 as young artilleryman rose from
the prisoners bench and, in response to
the question Guilty, or not guilty." an
swered, "Not 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 counselj
II have no counsel" he replied
Supposing that it was his intention to
represent himself before the court, the
judge advocate was directed to proceed.
Every charge and specification against
the prisoner was sustained. The prison
er was then told TO introduce his wit
nesses.
II have no Witnesses - he replied.
Astonished at the calmness with
which he seemed to be submitting to
what he regarded as inevitable fate,
said to him
"Hayoy y no defense? Is it possible
you abandoned your comrades and de-
serted your colors in the presence of an
enemy without any reason?'
"Thero was a reason, but it viii not
avail me before a military court"
"Perhaps youare mistaken l replied,
"You are charged with the highest crime
known to military law, and it is your
unLJ 10 AAUhO AAA0NA AlAU IaAAat ltAAk III
fuenced your actions"
For the first time his manly form
trembled and his blue eyes swan in
tears. Approaching the president Of the
court he presented a letter, saying as he
did so:
There, general, is what did it.
opened the lettor, and in a moment
my eyes were filed 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 l read
the letter as the defense Of the prisoner
/ It was in these words;
MY DEAR EDwARD-l have always beer
/ proud Of you, and since your connection with
the Confederate army have been prouder @
/ you than ever before. / would not have yoy
do anything wrong for tho world but, belori
God, dear Edward, unless you come homo w
must die. Last night ! was aroused by it'll
/ EdgRr'a crying. / called out and said, "Wha
] Is the matter, Eddie7" and he said, "Oh, man
ma, I'm so hungry" And Lucy, Edward, you
darling Lucy, she never complains, but she,
/ growing thinner and thinner every day. And
before God, my dear Edward, unless You com
home we must die OF starvation
YouR MARY
After reading the letter I turned Il
the prisoner and said
"What did you do when you receive,
this letter? Did You apply for a leav
Of absence 10 the proper oflceraF
Il made application for a furlougl
and it was rejected; again l made al
application and it was rejected thir
time / mado application and they re
fused to grant it, That night as l wan
dered backward and forward in tn
camp thinking Of my home, with tn
mild eyes Of Lucy looking toward m
and the burning words Of Mary sinkin
deep into my brain, 1 was no longer th
Confederate soldier, but was the fathe
of Lucy and the husband of Mary, and
would have passed those lines if ever
gun in the battery had fired upon me.
went to my home Mary ran out {
meet me-hor angel arms embraced m
and she whispered
" Oh, Edward, am SO happyl | al
so glad you got your furloughr
'She must have felt me shudder, fJ
she turned as pl.a as death, and thel
catching hor breath at every word, sh
said:
Have you come without your fu
Tough? Oh, Edward, Edward, 60 bacl
Go back Let me and my children G
down together to the grave, but, oh, f,
heavens sake save tho honor Of yoJ
namor
i at once returned, and here 1 an
gentlemen, not brought here by miliiaI
power, but in obedience to the comman
Of Mary, to abide the sentence of yoy
court.
Every soldier Of that court marti
felt the furoe Of tho prisoners word
Before them stood in beatidc vision q
eloquent pl-.lar for a husbands and