Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-10-06
"Assi,tant Adiutant General.


Gen. Heath handed the order to his
who read it carefully, then
without comment nodded his direction
that the hearing should proceed.
was next called, and began recital
which only showed an anxiety to vindi-
cate Margaret. The commander de-
parted from his usual silence to ask
me several questions, and my replies,
though l answered truthfully, seemed
to prove that was lying. When l had
finished, ] sat down overwhelmed with
confusion, and, unconscious that was
speaking aloud, blurted out: IF any
one is to be hanged, it is for a fool"
A faint smile passed over the lips of
the general in chief, and Margaret
Beach was called to tell her story.
Margaret made what to me was per-
fectly clear case, and expected as
she proceeded that the commanding
general would break up the inquiry,
asserting that her statement was all he
needed to prove her case. But looked
in his face in vain for anything to in
dictate the impression she was making.
When she had finished, he asked:
"What proof have you that it was
your brother and not your sister who
was with you-that he was the real pos
SCISSOR of the plans found on you?"
my sister will testify to that effect,
also Lieut.. Hall, who saw them both
together"
Neither of these witnesses would
gain credence in court of law, both
of them being much interested to save
your life. Is there not some one whose
testimony is unbiased?"
'"rhere is one, but you cannot sum-
mon him."
'.Why not?"
'He is confederate officer within the
confederate lines"
do you know where he is now?"
II met him few days ago near the
Tennessee river not far from here"
"He might be reached"
II do not wish it,"
The general-in-chief looked at Mar.
garet, surprised. His eyes plainly asked
an explanation.
"He would bring evidence" Mar.
garet said at last, 'of the guilt of one
who has told me he is inoncent."
The words, spoken in a clear, soft
voice, a simple assertion of confidence
in one who had never given her the ben
eft of single doubt, seemed re
Duke from Heaven. Gen. Heath ben
his head. He seemed dazed. Though
all the vigor of his persuasive tongue
was needed at this critical moment il
one great effort to ward off the calam
ity that had been brought about b,
his incredulity, he seemed in no condi
ton to make protest. The command
er-judge waited for him to speak, but
as he did not, spoke himself to Mar
garet.
81 cannot consider evidence you art
unwilling to produce. The evidence
that has been brought forward in you
behalf is not only simple oral testi
mony, but the testimony of those deep
ly interested in you. The facts ar,
all against you. First, you were caugh
with the plans in your hands; second
you visited the enemy while under pa
role, presumably to bear information
last, your statement as to the north
ward movement of Longstreet's arm.
is contradicted by a written order. NJ.
sympathies are with you, for you hav
spoken with the semblance of truth
While 1 would gladly serve you, thi
does not seem to be matter which ad
mits of any interference on my part
| A court has heard the evidence and ha
convicted you. 1 have listened to a re
hearing, and cannot see how they coul
| have done otherwise than convict you.
Margaret stood pale but calm.
And I must die?"
Gen. Heath, who had been standing
as If lost in some dread dream OF til
past, at these words roused Mmsell