Democratic messenger., 1910-02-19

with much slaughter on both sides.
watched for favorable opportunity
TO regain my own comrades. but none
occurred. The truth Is my captain
was watching me At last the whole
brigade to which belonged was sur
rounded and captured.
realized that ! WAS in precarious
situation All depended upon my COM
municating with the general who had
sent me on my mission. What was
my horror TO learn that he had been
killed in one of the recent battles.
All now depended ON my not being
recognized. but this hope failed me.
for an enlisted man who knew me
was one OF our guard. lie saw the
and Informed my captain. The cap
tain came TO see me, took me away
from the Confedcrates aud preferred
charges against me for deseriion and
fighting against the United States.
The battles were ended for the time
being. and court martial 10 try me
was speedily convened. There could
be no greater offeuse in an army than
the double one OF desertion aud be-
ing captured with arms In ones hands
on the other side. ! told my story,
and. as expected. II was not believed.
My captains testimony against me
was very damaging spoke of the
generals written order which ! had
hidden within the cncmy's lines. but
II was regarded as u clumsy device.
| was convicted and sentenced to be
shot i petitioned for a stay Of execu-
ton of the sentence till ! could have
opportunity to secure the hidden or
der but there had been great deal
Of desertion. and aud several others
were to be made summary examples
FOR the army
Whenever hear people talking
about Justice" and the difficulty OF
Furnishing crime on account of too
much sentimentalism II makes me
shudder | was 10 be shot for serv-
ing my country only too We'll And
look back with reverence to two peo-
pie Zone Of whom was Instrumental in
saving me and the other saved mel as
representatives of that class who would
govern by kindline''S and mercy rather
than on principle These TWO were
my mother aud President Lincoln.
himself martyr struck down by one
who madly looked upon him as a
tyrant
Upon inquiry learned that Presi-
dent Lincoln alone possessed the par
doning power. but that the generals
who wished TO maintain discipline in
the army We're doing all they could to
prevent his exercising this prerogative
In the cases of deserters So did not
think It worth while TO make an APP
plication, | wrote my mother OF my
situation. assuring her Of my inno-
cence. but telling her that ! had little
hope that would escape disgrace
ful death.
The poor old lady was advised by
friends OF President i.incolns kind
heart, and she left her quiet home to
go TO Washington TO try 20 force her
way. as she was told she would have
TO do. through officials and doorkeep-
ers. with the hope that she might Sc
cure Justice real iustice-from the
head OF the nation.
When she reached the capital she
knew not what to do. so she followed
simple method that suggested itself
10 her. She wrote the president that
she had come TO Washington to ask
him 10 see justice done To her soldier
son. that his life might be spared for
his country and for her. In nomely
way she wrote the story. embudying
the main points that have given aud
asking that my execution might be de-
ferred till | could secure the hidden
order. When she had finished her let
ter. not donbt.ng IN her innocence that
she would he accorded an interview
with the president. she mailed H.
Within forty-eight hours uote came
from one OF the presidents private
secretaries stating that MIR Lincoln
would see her the next day at ~ noon.
Alternating between hope and despair.
she went to the White House NJ the
appointed hour When she was ush-
cred into the presidents private room
he was sitting At u desk. while his
two little boys were climbing an over
him My moiher said afterward that
they reminded her of the l.illiputians
climbing over Gullyer Mr. Lincoln
he was so tall that she thought
he would never cease rising and TAX
ing her by the hand. led her in seat
FL have called for the papers IN the
case OF your SON. he said, and had
them examined and a report made 10
me. have issued an order for stay
Of execution until such time ms
search can be made of the location
where he hid his order Meanwhile he
is to be returned 10 duty"
My mother looked upon the result as
still dependent upon finding evidence
that would prove mo innocent hut
she was scon informed that II was
equivalent 10 dropping the case against
me. was far more delighted with Il
than ! would have been with pardon.
The moment ! heard II niaue VOW
that would 90 through tire and smoke
TO secure that order and would send