Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-04-02
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
A PARpoNED DESERTER.

during the civil war, tells the following
story:
During the winter Of 1884 1t was
my fortune to be president of ono OF
the court martials of the army OF
Northern Virginia. One bleak Decem-
ber morning, while the snow covered
the ground and the Winds howled
around our camp, I left my bivouac
fire to attend the session Of the court.
Winding for miles along uncertain
paths, at length arrived 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 I, on any previous
occasion, boon greeted with such
anxious spectators as on that morning
awaiting the opening of the court Case
after case was disposed of, and at
length the case of "The Confederate
States vs. Edward Cooper" was called
the charge, desertion. A low murmur
rose spontaneously from the battle
Scared spectators as young
artilleryman rose from the prisoners
bench, and in response to the question,
Guilty, or not guilty?" answered,
mot guilty"
The judge advocate was proceeding
to open the prose cution, when the
court, observing that the prisoner was
unattended by counsel interposed, and
said to the accused:
"Who is your counsel?"
81 have no counsel" he replied.
Supposing that it was his intention to
represent himself before the court, the
tudge-advocate was directed to proceed.
Every charge and specification against
the prisoner was sustained. The pris-
oner was then told to introduce his wit.
nesses
~ 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 reason?"
'There was reason" he replied,
''but 1t will not avail me before mill
tary court"
Perhaps you are mistaken" I re-
piled. You are charged with the high
est crime known to military law, and
1t is your duty to make known the
cause that influenced 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 so:
''There, general, is what did it"
opened the letter, and in moment
my eyes were filled 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 bat
ties, 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:
my DEAR EDwARD:-I have always
been proud of you, and since your con.
nection with the confederate army l
have been prouder of you than ever
before. l would not have you do any
thing wrong for the world; but, before
God, dear Edward, unless you come
homo we must die. Last night was
aroused by little Edgar's crying. /
called out and said, What is the mat
ter, Eddie?' and he said: 'Oh, mamma,
I'm so hungryv 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, turned tc
the prisoner and said:
"What did you do when you received
this letter? Did you apply for leave
of absence to the proper otiicers?"
II made application for furlough,
and 1t was rejected; again l made
an application and it was rejected; 6
third time made application and they
refused to grant it That night, as
wandered backward and forward ir
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 ne
longer the confederate soldier, but
was the father of Lucy and the hus
band of Mary, and would have pass
ed those lines if every gun in the bat
terry had fred upon me. / went to m,
home. Mary ran out to meet me-he
angel arms embraced me, and sh
whispered:
"'Oh Edward. am so happy! an
glad you got your furlough!'
'She must have felt me shudder TO
she turned as pale as death, and then
catching her breath at eyery word sh
said
",'Have you come without your fur
Tough? Oh, Edward, Edward, go back
Go back! Let me and my children G
down together to the grave, but oh, fo
Heavens sake, save the honor of you
namen
II at once returned, and here an
gentlemen, not brought here by militia
ry power, but in obedience to the con
man1 of Mary, to abide the sentence c
your court"
Every soldier of that court-martfs