The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-06-03
lie FACED DEATH.
sRAveLv STOOD BEFORE THE COURT
MARTIAL.

without Counsel to Defend Him He
Handed Over Mnry's Letter-No Dry
kyss When II was Read-Generai Lees
Ordor.
During the winter OF 1864 II was
the fortune OF Gen. Cullen A. Battle
Of Alabama to be president of the court
martial Of tho army of northern Vir-
ginia. One bleak December morning
while the snow covered the ground and
the wind howled around his camp, he
left his bivouac fire to attend the ses'
sion Of the court at Round Oak Church
Case after case was disposed of, and at
length the case Of the confederate states
VS.. Edward Cooper was called charge
desertion.
A low murmur rose spontaneously
from the battle-scarred spectators as
the young artilleryman arose from the
prisoners bench. and in response to the
question. Guilty or not guilty?" an
swercd. mot guilty" The judge advo-
cate was proceeding to open the prose-
cution when the court, observing that
interposed. and inquired OF the accused.
who is your COUNSEL" He replied
II have no counsel
Supposing that II was Cooper's pur-
pose to represent himself before the
court. the judge advocate was instruc.
ted to proceed. Every charge and
specification against the prisoner was
sustained. The prisoner was then told
to introduce his witnesses He replied:
Il have no witnesses" Astonished at
the Guinness with which he regarded
as inevitable fate, Gen. Battle said to
him, Have you no defense? Is 1t pos
sible that you abandoned your COM
rades and deserted your colors in the
presence OF the enemy without any
reason?"
He answered: There was a reason
but 1t will not avail me before mill.
tary court"
Gen. Battle then said:
perhaps you are mistaken; you are
charged with the highest crime known
20 militaiy law. and 1t is your daty to
make known the causes that Influenced
your actions"
| For the first time Cooper's manly
| form trembled and his blue eyes swan
with tears. Approaching the president
Of the court, he presented 4 letter, say
ing as he did SO:
There, general, Is what did It,"
Gen. Battle opened the letter and in
a moment his eyes filled with tears. 1t
was passed from one TO another OF the
| court until all had seen IT, and those
stern warriors who hal passed with
Stonewall Jackson through hundreds
Of battles, wept like children. AS soon
as the president sufficiently recovered
his self-possession he read the letter
as the defense Of the prisoner. 1t was
In these words:
Dear Edward: l have always been
proud OF you; siu"c your connection
with the confederate army have been
y prouder Of you than ever before.
would not have you do anything wrong
for the world; but, before God, Edward
unless you come home we must die!
Last night l was aroused by little Ed.
dies crying, oh, mamma, I'm so hun
gry!' And Lucy, Edward, your darling
Lusy, she never complains, but grows
thinner and thinner every day. AND
before God, Edward, unless you come
meme we must die. Your Mary.
Turning to the prisoner Gen. Battle
asked: What did you do when you re-
ceived this letter." He replied:
II made application for furlough
and 1t was rejected again | made appli
cation and it was rejected; thire
time l made application. and 1t was re-