Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1905-06-09
A Story of Our Civil War.


dent of the war, written out by a
gallant ex Confederate soldier, who
was related to General Battle by mar
rage 1t shows the true character OF
General Robert +. Lee, who not only
as a commanding general. but as
Christian gentleman, actuated at all
times and IN all things through the
! highest sense of humanity and jus
tice, was the greatest among men.
Furthermore, il it should fail to in
spire a true feeling of patriotism i'll a
mans soul, then such au one is I'M
fit for a soldier.
During the winter of 1868 1864, it
was the fortune of General Cullen II.
Battle, of Alabama, to be the presi
dent of the court martial of the Army
of Northern Virginia. One bleak De
cember morning, while the snow COW
cred the ground and the wind BOWL
ed around his camp, he left his BIZ
vouac line to attend the session OF
court at Round Oak church. Case af-
ter case was disposed of, and at length
the cause OF the Confederate States
VS.. Edward Cooper was called--charge
desertion. A low murmur rose spon-
taneously from the spectators as the
young artilleryman arose from the
prisoner bench, and III response to
the question: Guilty or nor gull
tyr" answered, mot guilty"
The judge advocate was proceeding
to open the prosecution, when the
court, observing that the prisoner
was unattended by counsel, interpos-
ed and inquired OF the accused:
who is your COUNSEL"
He replied, II have no counsel"
Surprising that it was Cooper's
purpose to represent himself before
the court, the judge advocate was in
structed 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 calmness with
which he seemed to be submitting to
what he regarded as inevitable fate,
General Battle said to him: Have
you no defence2 Is it possible that you
abandoned your comrades and desert,
ed your colors in the presence of the
enemy without any reason?"
He answered: "There was a reason
butIit will not avail me before mill
tary court"
General Battle then said: PERHAPS
you are mistaken; you are charged
with the highest crime known to
military Law, and it is your duty to
make known the causes that inhu-
enced your actions
For the first time Ccoper's manly
form trembled and his blue eyes swan
in tears Approaching the president
of the court, he presented letter say
ing as he did so; There, General, is
W hat did it..
General Battle opened the letter,
and in moment his eyes filled with
tears. 1t was passed from ne toan-
other of the court until all had seen
it, and those stern warriors who
passed with StonewallJ Jackson through
hundred battles wept like children.
AS soon as the president sufficient.
ly recovered his self possession he
read the letter as the defense of the
D risoner. 1t ran i'll these words:
Dear Edward, Il have Away. BIN
proud OF you Since your connection
with the Confederate Army. l have
been prouder CT you than ever be-
fore. would not have you do any
thing wrong for the world; but before
God, Edward, unless you come heme
we must d e. Last night was aroused
by little Eddie's crying: oh mamma,
1 m SO hungry And Lucy, Edward,
your darling Lucy, never complains;
but grows thinner and thinner every
day. And before Cod Edward, unless
you come home we must die.
Your Mary"
Turning to the prisoner, General
Battle asked: What did you do when
you received this letter." He replied:
Il made applications for a furlongh,
aud it was rejected; again I made ap-
plication and it was rejected; third
time made application aud it wrs re
jected and that night as l wandered