Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-05-10
Justice
Righted
How Abraham Lincoln Re.
versed the Decision OF
Court Martial.


spected for his handling OF The ship
OF state during that four years storm
or war when he so often kept her
from going Oh the rocks. To this All
niration and respect is added an ar
lection begotten Of his tender heart.
especially as cvnced IN his sympathy
for those unfortunaics who we're FOR
one cause or another condemned 10 die.
The following * one OF those many
instances wherein MIR Lincoln inter
fcrcd TO save the life Of dcscrtcr.
aud happily in this ease ii was he and
not 4 court martial Who did justice to
the delinquent. The tamily name OF
HE parties concerned IN the narrative
IS NOT at hand. therefore for conven
ience M assumed name Will bc used
But the story is none the less an
actual happening, nothing having been
added or taken away.
shortly before tile stirring days OF
1861 John AtWatcr and his wife were
living happily together, interested III
the education OF their two sons, john
ana Arthur. Tile boys had arrived at
that age when they most needed n IA
Tiers guidancc-that j.. they Were In
their teens and the parents were look
ing forward for them 70 an honorable
career Then the father died, leaving
his widow 10 shoulder al the reSpon-
81 a, ..A,nttlaf Inn ~ fnRir cd
ucaiiun ana giving them start III
life. They resided i'm the east.
IL seemed impossible under the car
cumstanccs 10 keep the family iogeth-
er. An uncle IN Missouri offered To
rake one OF The boys and do what he
could 10 pave the way for him TO make
a living. 1t was deemed best 10 nc
cent this offer. and the older son was
sent to Missouri Another uncle.
brother of Mrs. Atwater. offered 10
take the younger son and release MS
mother Of the responsibility Of finding
EMPLOYMENT for him. 1t was SAD
parting between the mother ANA her
two boys, especially since one or them
was 10 90 so far away. But the plucky
J WOlllHl. li' ihAN''fN ~ -
sons rather than her own desire TO
have them with hei. consented to the
separation.
! This dividing Of tie family turned
out very unfortunately. The war he
tween the states came on not long
after John Atwater reached his new
| home. Missouri was slave state and
had largely been settled 10y southern
| people The sympathies Of the inhab-
| itants were largely with the south, ana
n vigorous attempt was made 10 holu
| The state Ia the Confedcracv. Those
| who were in favor of the north were
| either compelled 10 leave for Federal
territory or take sides With tue Con
federates This resulted in Atwster's
being forced against his inclinaiions.
into the Confederate ranks.
There was big fight between Fed
erals and Confcderates. the one en-
deavoring 10 carry the state out OF the
! Union, the other 20 retain possession
OF It, Both sides raised troops. and q
number OF battles were fought, result
ing finally in victory for the Cnionists.
which was 10 have been expected, Tor
Missouri Is geographical considered
northern state. In one OF the bat
ties John Atwater was severely wound
ed and was taken 10 the home OF his
uncle. Ills mother being informed OF
his condition. went 10 him and nursed
him back TO health and strength. Mrs
Atwatcr's sympa HES being with the
Union, She used her influence 10 per
sunde him TO 20 TO her brother in Bos.
ton. with whom Arthur had been be
fore joining the northern army. In
this she succeeded.
These efforts were too much for a
delicate woman. and Mrs Atwatcr' :
health broke down under them SUI
ferlug from n fever. She was delirious
During this delirium she was constant
~ calling upon her Younger son. Ar
thur. 10 come TO her.
Arthur was at that time serving
! with his regiment IN the Federal army
} at The front. Mrs Atwatcrs neigh
, borS, plying the poor woman's dis
J tress and thinking that her life might
, depend upon seeing her son. sent wore
J to him to come to her ut once.
J When the message rcachcd arthur
; be applied TO his captain for leav,
} 10 20
) Leave 81 absence" snccrcd th'
captain. You ask for leave of ali
scnce III face OF the enemy and on th'
D eve OF battle? What YOU want is L
D skulk away ana avoid n dsht.'
0 Stung 10 The quick the boy replied
0 Here is letter saving that m,
0 mother is dying AMI calling on me e
0 come TO her"
0 your mother is a scheming rebe
0 and is trying 10 get YOU away from
c the post Of duty"
c you lie"
"You gave mo the lie. That's mu
tiny. I'll attend 60 your case. Go Z
: the guard tent"
o The captain reported that Private Al
|. water had been insolent 10 him. an'
n Arthur knew that he would no trie'
/ for mutiny. Night came on. and Will
9 under arres, he thought OF his dyin
i mother, who was calling on him Z
come to her. The strain was NOR
a than he colld bear. Stealing out, h
made his way through the camp VIII