Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1911-11-09

recognized, OUT rus 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 me
was speedily convened. There could
be no greater ofIense 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.
Ny captains testimony against me
was very damaging. | spoke of the
generals written order, which l had
hidden within the enemy's lines, but
1t was regarded as n clumsy device.
l was convicted and sentenced to ba
shot. I peutioned for a 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 l hear people talking
about Justice" and the difficulty Of
Furnishing crime IN account of too
much sentimentalism 1t makes me
shuddcr. 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 rs
representatives Of that class who would
govern by kindliness and mercy rather
than on principle. These two wero
my mother and President Lincoln,
himself a martyr struck down by one
who madly looked upon him as a
tyrant
Upon inquiry l 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 prerogativs
in the cases Of deserters. So I did not
think It worth while to mako an ap-
plication. wrote my mother of my
situation, assuring her Of my inno-
cence. but telling her that I had little
hope that / would escape a disgrace
full death.
The poor old lady was advised by
friends Of President Lncoln'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 5ustce-real justice-from the
head OF the nation.
When she reached the capital she
knew not what to do, so she followed
q 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 q homely
way she wrote the story. embodyinR
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 It,
Within forty-eight hours u note car me
from one OF the presidents private
secretaries stating that Mr.. Lincoln
would see her the next day at II noon.
Alternating between hope and despair.
she went to tho White House at the
appointed hour. When she was ush-
cred into the presidents private room
he was sitting at n desk. while his
two little boys were climbing all over
him. My mother said afterward that
they reminded her Of the Lirliputians
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 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. have issued an order for stay
OF execution until such time as
search can be made of the location
where he hid his order. Meanwhile he
is to be returned to duty"
My 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 10 dropping the case against
me. l was far more delighted with it
than would have been with a pardon.
The moment heard 1t 1 made a vow
that would go through fire and smoke
to secure that order and would send
1t 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 1 applied
to my captain for permission to go on
hunt for my evidence. He told me
to put my request in writing and be
would forward 1t. 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 / had hid
den my paper. found 1t, though