The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-01-28

brigade to which | belonged was sur
rounded and captured.
I realized that | was in a precarious
situation. All depended upon my com
m%unicating 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. He saw me
and Informed my captain. The cap
tain came to see me. took me away
from the Confederates and preferred
charges against me for desertion and
fighting against the United States.
The battles were ended for the time
being, and a court martial to try mt
was speedily convened. There could
be no greater offense in an army than
the double one of desertion and be-
ing captured with arms in ones hands
on the other side. I told my story,
and, as ! expected, it was not believed.
My captains testimony against me
was very damaging. l spoke Of the
generals written order. which l had
hidden within the enemy's lines, but
it was regarded as a clumsy device.
l was convicted and sentenced to be
shot. Igpetitioned for a stay Of execu-
ton OF the sentence till l could have
opportunity to secure the hidden or
der, but there had been a great deal
of desertion. and l and several others
were to be made summary examples
for the army.
Whenever | hear people talking
about Justice and the difficulty Of
Furnishing crime Oh account of too
much sentimcntalism it makes me
shudder. l was to be shot for serv-
ing my country only too we'll. And
now at the end Of half q century l
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 kindness and mercy rather
than on principle. These two were
my mother and President Lincoln.
himself a martyr struck down by one
who madly looked upon him as a
tyrant.
Upon inquiry I learned that Presi-
dent Lincoln alone possessed the par
doning power. but that the generals
who wished to maintain discipline in
the army were doing all they could to
prevent his exercising this prerogative
in the cases Of deserters. So l did not
think it worth while to make an APP
plication. l wrote my mother of my
situation, assuring her Of my inno-
.cence. but telling her that | had little
hope that l would escape a disgrace
full death.
The poor old lady was advised by
friends of President Lincoln's kind
heart. and she left her quiet home to
go to Washington to try to 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 justice-from the
head of the nation.
When she reached the capital she
knew not what to do. so she followed
a simple method that suggested itself
to her. She wrote the president that
she had come to Washington to ask
him to see justice done to her soldier
son, that his life might be spared for
his country and for her. In a aomely
way she wrote the story, embodying
the main points that l have given and
asking that my execution might be de-
ferred till l could secure the hidden
order. When she had finished her let
ter, not doubling in her innocence that
she would be accorded an interview
with the president. she mailed it.
Within fOrty-eight hours a note came
from n of the presidents private
secretaries stating that Mr.. Lincoln
would see her the next day at IL noon.
Alternating between hope and despair.
she went to the White House at the
appointed hour. When she vas ush-
cred into the presidents private room
he was sitting at a desk. while his
two little boys were climbing all over
him. NY mother said afterward that
they reminded her Of the Lilliputians
climbing over CULVER. Mr.. Lincoln
rose-he was 20 tall that she thought
he would never cease rising-and. TAX
ing her by the hand, led her to a seat.
II have called for the papers in the
case of your son." he said. land had
them examined. and a report made to
me. 1 have issued an order for a stay
Of execution until such time as u
search can be made Of the location
where he hid his order. Meanwhile he
is to be returned to duty
Ny mother looked upon the result as
still dependent upon finding evidence
that would prove me innocent. But
she was soon Informed that it was
equivalent to dropping the case against
me. l vas far more delighted with 1t
than l would have been with a pardon.
The moment ! heard 1t 4 maze a VOW
that l would 90 through fire and smoke
to cur that order and would send
it to the wisest Of human Judges. who
had given me my life and an oppor-
tunity to prove his wisdom.
On being returned to duty l applied
to my captain for permission to go on
a hunt for my evidence. He told me
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