Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-03

and informed my captain. Tie 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 Il court martial TO try me
was speedily convened. There could
be no greater onense in an army than
the double one of desertion and be-
ing captured with arms in ones hands
on the other side. told my story.
and. as / expected. it was not believed.
My captains testimony against me
was very damaging. spoke of the
generals written order. which ! bad
hidden within the enemy's lines. but
It was regarded as a clumsy device.
| was convicted and sentenced TO be
shot / petitioned for Il stay Of execu-
ton Of the sentence till | could have
opportunity to secure the hidden or
der. but there had been a great deal
Of desertion. and | and 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 it makes me
shudder. | was to be shot for serv-
ing my country only too well. And
now at the end of half a century /
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
tyrant.
Upon inquiry 1 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 1 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 l had little
hope that 1 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 homely
way she wrote the story. embodying
the main points that / have given and
asking that my execution might be de-
ferred till / 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 ii.
Within fOrty-eight hours note came
from one of the presidents private
secretaries stating that Mr.. Lincoln
would see her the next day at 10 noon.
Alternating between hope and despair.
she went to the White House at the
appointed hour When she was ush-
cred into the presidents private room
he was sitting at desk. while his
two little boys were climbing all over
him. My mother said afterward that
they reminded her of the Lilliputians
climbing over CULVER. Mr.. Lincoln
rose-he was so tall that she thought
he would never cease rising-and. TAX
ing her by the hand. led her TO n seat.
Il have called for the papers i'm the
case of your SON. he said. land had
them examined and report made 10
me. l have issued an order for a stay
Of execution until such time as a
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. was far more delighted with It
than would have been with a pardon.
The moment ! heard it 1 maze a vow
that would go through fire and smoke
to secure 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 10 go on
Il hunt for my evidence. He told me
TO put my request in writing and he
would forward it. l did so. and my pc
tition came back with the coveted per-
mission Endorsed on it. Disgusting
myself. again risked my life by going
among Confederates and made straight
for the stone under Which l had hid
Gen my paper. I found 1t. though
dampened and blurred. still IeGible.
Then made my way safely back to
camp.
From having been considered n de-
serter I was suddenly elevated TO the
position Of a very daring fellow. ! sent
my order to President Lincoln and re-
ceived q reply in his own handwriting.
What became Of the southern girl?