Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-24
DISCIPLINE.

DlSClfLlNE,
During the winter of 1854 it was my
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,
l left my bivouac fire to attend the ses-
sion Of the court. Winding for miles
along uncertain paths | ut 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 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 length the
case of "The Confederate States versus
Edward Cooper" was called-the charge.
desertion. A low murmur rose spon-
taneously from the battle SCARED spec
tators as y 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 counselY"
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:
"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 was q reason, but it will not
avail me before a 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
fluenced 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 letter, saying as he
did 80:
"There, general, is what did it,"
Iopened the letter, and in moment
my eyes were filed with tears. 1t 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 the prisoner.
1t was in these words:
NY DEAR EDwARD-I have always been
proud Of you, and 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, dear Edward, unless you come home we
must die. Last night was aroused by little
Edgar's crying. 1called out and said, What
is the matter, Eddie?" and he said, "Oh, man.
ma, I'm so hungry!" And Lucy, Edward, your
darling Lucy, she 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 I turned to
the prisoner and said:
"What did you do when you received
this letter? Did you apply for leave
of absence to the proper oficersY'
II made application for a furlough
and it was rejected; again I made an
application and it was rejected; third
time I made application and they re-
fused to grant it. That night as 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, I was no longer the
Confederate soldier, but I was the father
of Lucy and the husband of Mary, and l
would have passed those lines if every
gun in the battery had fred upon me. l
went to my home. Mary ran out to
meet me-her angel arms embraced me
and she whispered:
"'Oh, Edward, am SO happyl lam
go glad you got your furloughv
"She must have felt me shudder, for
she turned as pale as death, and then,
catching her breath at every word, she
said:
Have you come without your fur
aough? Oh, Edward, Edward, go backl
Go backi Let me and my children go
down together to the grave, but, oh, for
heavens sake, save the honor Of your
n. Saneg
Vt at once returned, and here am,
gent eme0. not brought here by milit ary
bower <but in obedience to the command
Of Mar to abide the sentence of your
court"
Every 90 vdhcr Of that court martial
felt the fo, 20 of the prisoners words.
Before them 10od in beatifc vision the
eloquent pleae YER for q husbands and a
fathers wrone y but they had bee1
trained by their great leader, Robert I! !
Lee, to tread the path OF duty thougl
the lightning's flash scorched the groun'
beneath their feet, al ID each in turn pro
nounced the verdict tvuilty.
But fortunately for humanity fortn
nately for the Confederacy, the proceed