Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-09
CHAPTER XIV.

Buffers baggage, ever since he left
Robinson's habitation on the Catawba,
had been, divided into two parcels, one
Of which he carried in a portmanteau
on his own horse, and the other had
been slowed away Ia a pair Of black
leather saddle bags that were flung
across Captain Peter These latter
sufficed, also, to enclose, N addition TO
the sergeauts own wardrobe, sundry
stores of provender which the careful
appetite and soldier-like foresight OF
the trusty squire had, from time to
time accumulated for their comfort
upon the roadside. After the escape
of the sergeant, this baggage had been
kept with more scrupulousness than
might have been expected from the
character OF the freebooters into whose
possession 1t had fallen; and now,
when Butler had been surrendered up
to the custody Of Colonel Innis, 1t was
restored to the prisoner without the
loss of any article Of value. On this
morning, therefore, Butler had thrown
aside the rustic dress in which he had
heretofore travelled, and appeare4 hab-
tied as we have described him when
first introduced to the reader.
After a very slight meal, which had
been administered with more personal
attention and consideration for his
rank and condition than he was pre-
pared to expect, an officer entered his
apartment and communicated an order
to him to repair to the yard In front
of the quarters. Here he found SER
geant's guard mustered to receive him,
and he was directed to march with
them to the place that had been Sc
lected for his trial. The spot pitched
upon for this purpose, was at the foot
of large mulberry that stood on the
border Of the plain, at a short distance
from the house.
When the guard arrived with the
prisoner, Colonel Innis was already
seated at the head Of table, around
which were placed several officers,
both Of the regular and militia forces.
Writing materials were also arranged
upon the board, and at the lower end,
a few PAGES removed from it, stood
q vacant chair. Behind this was
erected a pile of drums, with one
or two colors laid transversely
across them. Sentinels were stationed
at different points near this group, and
within their lines were collected the
principal officers of Innis's command
Somewhat more remote. a number Of
idle spectators were assembled,
amongst whom might have been dis
cerned Habershaw, Curry, and many OF
the heroes who had figured at Grin
dalPs ford. Captain st. Jermyn had
taken a station little to the left Of
the presiding officer at the table, and
in the rear OF those who appeared to
have the management of the approach
ing procedure, and now stood, with
his hands folded, apparently an anx-
ious and interested looker-on.
There was a thoughtful and even
stern expression upon every face when
Butler appeared-and a silence that
was scarce broken by the occasional
whisper in which the several individ-
uals present communicated with each
other. The guard marched the pris-
oner around the circle, and inducted
him into the vacant chair, where he
was received by a quiet and cold in
>clination of the head from each men,
ber of the court.
For a few moments he looked around
him with a scornful gaze upon the as
semblage that were to sit in judg-
ment upon him, and bit his lip, as his
frame seemed to be agitated with deep
emotion; at length, when every look
was bent upon him, and no one
breathed word, he rose upon his feet
and addressed the company.
II understand that am in the pres
ence of a military court which has
been summoned for the purpose of in
quiring' into certain offences, Of the
nature Of which have not yet had the
good fortune to be informed, except in
so far as l am given to infer that they
purport Of treason. l ask If this be
true"
The presiding officer bowed his head
in token Of assent, and then presented
paper. which he described as contain
ing the specification Of charges.
"As an officer of the American army,
and the citizen of an Independent re-
against any accountability to this tri-
bunal; and. with this protest, publish
my wrongs in the face of these wit
nessses, and declare them to arise out
Of facts disgraceful to the character Of
an honorable nation. l have been
drawn by treachery into an ambuscade,
overpoYered by numbers, fnsulted and
abused by ruffians. l wish 1 could say
that these outrages were practised at
the mere motion of the coarse banditti
themselves who assai!ed me: but their
manifest subserviency to plan, the
object Of which was to take my life,
leaves me no room to doubt that they
have been in the employ and have
sponsible head"
Keep your temper" interrupted In
mis-, calmly. Some thing is to be a.
lowed to the excited feelings of one
suddenly arrested in the height of a
bold adventure and the court would,
therefore, treat your expression of such
feelings at this moment with lenity'
You will, however, consult your own
welfare. by giving your thoughts to
the charges against you, and sparing
yourself the labor of this useless vitu-
peration. Read that paper, and speak
to it's contents. We will hear you
patiently and impartially."
Sir, it can avail me nothing to read
it. Let 1t allege what it may, the trial.
under present circumstances, will be
but a mockery. BY the chances OF
war, my life is in your hands: it is an
idle ceremony and waste of time to
call in aid the forms of justice, to do
that which you have the power to do