by John McElroy
CHAPTER XI.
THE COURT-MARTIAL.--AT MURPHY'S HILL.--THE TWO OPPOSING ARMIES AND THEIR MOVEMENTS.--JAMES WHITCOMB'S TRIAL.-- SENTENCED TO DEATH AND PARDONED BY THE PRESIDENT.
"But mercy is above this sceptered sway, It is enthroned in the heart of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's, When mercy seasons Justice." --Shakespeare.
"Gen. Biggs having taken up his position in the angle of the headwatersof Goose River and Cane's Fork, near Tullahoming, in the midst of a richvalley, Rosenfelt at once commenced repairing the railroads and throwingup earthworks near Murphy's Hill, which almost encircled the entireplace. There he remained during the winter and following spring. The twoarmies were principally engaged in watching each other, neither beingwilling to risk an advance against the other. For several months thissituation continued. The only operations that marked this long period ofinaction on the part of the two armies were a series of small exploitswhich were calculated to cause the two armies to degenerate into smallbands, that could only be employed in harassing their enemies. Therebels got ready, however, and made the first attempt. Gen. Weller, witha brigade of cavalry, pushed his way up within a few miles of Nashua,burned a railroad bridge, then descended on the right bank of theLe-Harp River to the banks of Combination River, and there seizedseveral of our transports, which were loaded with supplies. He burnedthese with all their cargoes. One of our gunboats reached the scene ofaction just in time to also become a prey to the flames.
"This act on the part of the rebel cavalrymen in its audacity seems tohave completely paralyzed our mounted troops, and Weller was permittedto return entirely unmolested. In a very short time, elated by hissuccess, he concentrated a force of some 3,000 men under Gens. Forresterand Lawting, with two batteries, within twenty miles of Nashua. Gen.Rosenfelt, seeing that the rebels were riding all around and about himwith impunity, sent Gen. Davies with one division of infantry, and twobrigades of cavalry commanded by Gen. Minting, in order to hem Weller inand 'bag him' and take him into camp, as the soldiers would say. Daviesmarched from Murphy's Hill to Eagle Cove; Sleeman marched from Nashuawith a division of infantry, upon Tyrone; Minting moved away to thesouth by way of Franktown, where the forces were all to close in likepulling the drawstring of a bag and closing it over your game. But whenopened there was no Weller inside. The next heard of him he had pushedon far to the northwest, and while our forces were closing in atFranktown, Weller had again reached the borders of Combination River atMariam's Crossing, and appeared before Dolinsburg on the next day. Youremember the great battle fought at Dolinsburg, where Gen. Tom. Andersonwas thought to have been killed, but was found by me in the darky'scabin?" They answered: "Yes; that could not be forgotten." "Well,gentlemen, this place was still commanded by good old Col. Harden. Hehad but 700 men all told. The place was encircled by parapets commandingthe ravines north and south. In the center the Colonel had constructedlarge earthworks, and mounted thereon one 32-pounder. He also hada section of field-guns. The rebels lost no time in making theirdispositions, and were ready for the assault. Col. Harden hastily madepreparations to receive the enemy. He placed his women and sick on atransport that lay at the wharf. That being done, the old Colonel saidto his men: 'Boys, here I will die before I will lower that flag.' andhis command all cheered him, and said 'we agree to that sentiment.'
"Weller was now ready; he ordered Forrester and Law-ting to advanceand attack. But before doing so he thought it would be the more correctwarfare to summon the garrison to surrender. He did so by sending a flagof truce and demanding a surrender of the fort. Col. Harden inquiredby what authority the surrender was demanded. The reply was that Gen.Weller demanded it 'in the name of Jefferson Davis, President of theSouthern Confederacy.'
"'Tell Gen. Weller that if Mr. Davis is here in person I will see him;but if Gen. Weller wants this fort he must take it at the point of thebayonet. Col. Harden never surrenders to the enemy.'
"This was reported to Gen. Weller, and he remarked, 'We will see.'
"Forrester deployed his command and moved forward up the hill, but ashe galloped up under a heavy fire his loss was severe. The soldierswho were defending that part of the outer works retreated inside of theheavy fortifications. A murderous and destructive fire was now openedupon the enemy from all sides of the works.
"Forrester fell back and formed a new line, and Weller put his wholeforce in action. Lawting joined Forrester on the right, and the assaultwas made.
"Old Col. Harden said: 'Boys, here they come; let them charge close upbefore you fire. Fill that old 32-pounder with bullets on top of theshell;' and they did.
"So Forrester charged with his men right up to the works. Col. Hardengave the command 'Fire!' and with one volley from muskets and the old32-pounder the cavalry retreated in every direction; many horses and menfell under this terrible fire. Our men leaped out of the works, and withbayonets fixed charged down against Forrester's men and captured manyof them. Forrester's best Colonel was killed and his command routed anddemoralized. Lawting had captured the Cemetery Ridge, where some of Col.Harden's men had made a stand, but finding they could not hold it,fell back into the fort. Darkness here closed in and the old flag stillfloated over Dolins-burg. During the night a gunboat came to the rescue.
"The next morning there were no rebels in sight, save killed andwounded. Dolinsburg was never again assaulted by the enemy during thewar. Col. Harden was a brave man, and dearly beloved by my whole family;not alone for his bravery, but for his kindness to Gen. Anderson duringhis stay at the Colonel's Headquarters.
"Weller was being followed up by Davies, who had finally gotten onhis track. But he took another tack; he moved a short distance, as ifintending to meet Davies, and then suddenly wheeled to the right andreached Center-town by way of Pinche's Factory, along the line of GooseRiver. After fording the river he called a halt at Colesburg. His menwere now worn out with fatigue, and his horses totally unfitted forfurther service until thoroughly recuperated. This ended Gen. Weller'sexploits for a considerable length of time. Just then another raiderappeared upon the scene--one Gen. Van Doring, in command of some 5,000fresh cavalry. This new force gave the enemy courage, and they at oncerenewed their former audacity. They were determined to wipe out ifpossible the terrible and painful result of their attack upon Col.Harden at Dolinsburg, and immediately advanced within a short distanceof Rosenfelt's main encampment, drove in his outposts, and threatenedhis short Une of communication with Nashua. By this time largere-enforcements had arrived by way of transports up the CombinationRiver to Nashua. Sleeman's division had moved forward to the main forceat Murphy's Hill. The General felt that he must rid the country of theseraiders, or his situation would become intolerable. His detachments,except in large bodies, could not venture out of camp without danger ofbeing attacked by rebel cavalry. Later on, one day, a report came thatour outposts were attacked and part of them captured within a few milesof his main army. Rosenfelt was greatly excited to think that with hisforce of cavalry--one brigade at Nashua, one at Franktown supported bya division of infantry at each place, and two brigades at his mainposition--the rebels were audacious enough to come in sight of his campand menace him. Just at this moment Gen. Sherlin, a small man, but agreat soldier, came into his headquarters and said:
"'General, how would you like to have an infantry commander take oneof your detachments of cavalry and try his hand on Van Doring, who, Iunderstand, is running round your camp playing marbles on your boys'coat-tails?'
"'Well, sir,' said Rosenfelt, 'I wish we had some one like old Col.Harden at Dolinsburg after this fellow Van Doring. Do you think you canrun him back on his own ground?'
"'I will try.'
"'Well, sir, you may try your hand to-day.'
"'All right,' said Sherlin; 'I am now ready, and I want only 1,000 men.'
"The General ordered two regiments to report; they did so promptly, andwere off. They started with Sherlin at their hea
d, and were not longin reaching Brady's Wood, where the enemy was strongly posted. Withouthesitating for one moment Sherlin attacked them and charged, saber inhand. The contest was of short duration. The rebels had not seen thatkind of cavalry fighting before. They were soon routed and driven ingreat disorder back to and across Goose River. Sherlin returned the nextday with 200 prisoners and a command of encouraged men. This arousedgreat jealousy with the cavalry officers, and made him the subjectof many remarks. But he went quietly back to his command of infantrywithout any exultation or mention of his victory.
"Gen. Sherlin and Gen. Anderson that evening were speaking of ourcavalry, when Sherlin remarked that they only wanted some one to teachthem how to fight.
"'That is true,' said Gen. Anderson; 'we must obtain consent to go outand attack the enemy whenever and wherever we may find him. We now havere-enforcements, our army is fresh and well supplied in all respects.'
"The General commanding finding this feeling existing, and seeing thathis re-enforcements had all come forward and were in camp, amounting tosome 14,000, while Biggs had only received the 5,000 cavalry under VanDoring, he felt that he could afford to make a forward movement andattack his antagonist wherever he might be found. So he commenced bydirecting that our forces were to make Goose River our line for thepresent, by first driving the enemy to the south side of the same, andif possible force him out of this part of the country.
"Sherlin's division and two brigades of cavalry were to march to EagleCove and thence to Columbiana; Sleeman's division, with other troops,were to form the center; the left was to move on Shelltown;--the wholeto concentrate on and along the north bank of Goose River. Gen. Corbin,being in advance on the road leading to Columbiana, met Van Doring atSpring Hill, and after five hours' hard fighting surrendered his wholecommand. When this news reached Rosenfelt, who was still at Murphy'sHill, it disturbed him much. The troops having now marched for a weekover very bad roads through rain and mud, he directed them to returnto their former positions, 'having accomplished all that the commandingGeneral desired,' as he said.
"Kentucky was at this time infested with raiders and guerrillas. Gen.Broomfield, who had about that time been sent to the West to command theDepartment of Kentucky, soon cleared that State of these pests.Their mode of warfare on either side was merely harassing withoutaccomplishing any great results. Very soon Rosenfelt's troops were againwithin his old camp lines, and Forrester commenced annoying him in manyways. Gen. Papson being at Rosenfelt's Headquarters, in conversationremarked:
"'If you will allow Gen. Anderson, of my corps, to take command of adivision of your cavalry, and give him instructions that Forrestermust be driven beyond Goose River and kept there, I will guarantee goodresults.'
"Rosenfelt readily assented, and the arrangements were made and theorder given. The command started, and by rapid marches came up toForrester at a point near Auburnville, and drove him as far as WinterHill, a point where the general headquarters of the rebel cavalry hadbeen for some days. Gen. Anderson charged down upon them with his wholeforce in regular old English cavalry style, with drawn sabers. The rebelcavalry made stubborn resistance, but our force drove them from theirposition with much slaughter. They retreated in great confusion, andwere closely pursued and sorely pressed until they were forced to crossGoose River at different points. The country was now cleared of them forthe present. Gen. Anderson returned with 600 prisoners. This ended theraids, and our army was not subjected to these harassing exploits againwhile it remained at Murphy's Hill. During these many annoyances by therebel cavalry our troops were sent after them so frequently and marchedso rapidly, and at times such great distances, that they often becameweary and footsore.
"The day after Gen. Anderson returned from driving Forrester out of thisportion of the country a division of infantry under Sleeman returnedfrom a very long and circuitous march. On the detail for guard duty thatnight was a boy from one of the Michigan regiments, (the 1st MichiganI think,) who during the night was found asleep on his watch. Hewas arrested and taken to the guard-house. The young man was greatlytroubled. He had been a good soldier; had never shirked any duty imposedupon him. The next day he was reported by Serg't Smith as being foundasleep while on duty. This was a serious matter,--the penalty beingdeath if found guilty. The report was taken to Gen. Sleeman, and byhim transmitted to Gen. Rosenfelt with a request that he order theCourt-Martial, if one should be decided upon. The General at onceordered the Court. I never have believed that severe punishments inthe army were productive of good discipline. The best soldiers are thekindest men, and the most successful are those who inflict the fewestsevere punishments upon their men. The detail for the Court was made andthe charges filed.
"The Court held its sessions at Gen. Rosenfelt's Headquarters. The poorboy was brought out of the guardhouse in the presence of the Court.He was 20 years old, very slight, light complexion, light auburn hair,large blue eyes, delicate frame, and, in fact, looked almost as muchlike a girl as a boy. His appearance made a deep impression uponthe members of the Court; great sympathy was felt for him. TheJudge-Advocate asked him if he had any objections to the Court, whichwas composed of officers from Gen. Sleeman's Division, with Gen. Sleemanas President of the Court. The boy answered that he had no objections;'for,' said he, 'I do not know any of the officers. I know but fewpersons in the army. I know only my messmates. I am not acquainted withany of the officers of my own company. I know their names, but have nopersonal acquaintance with either of them.'
"'Do you never talk with any of your company officers?' inquired theJudge-Advocate.
"'No, sir,' replied the youth; 'I have never asked a favor since I havebeen in the army. I have obeyed orders, and strictly performed my dutyand asked no questions.'
"'Have you any relatives?'
"'Yes, sir; I have an aged father and mother, and one sister.'
"'What was your business before entering the service?'
"'I was a sales-boy in the wholesale dry-goods store of Baldwin &Chandler, in Detroit, Mich., where my parents live.'
"'Have you written to your parents or sister since your arrest?'
"'No, sir; I asked permission to do so, but it was refused me.'
"Gen. Sleeman, an old man, full of sympathy and kind feelings, on theimpulse of the moment said, 'That was an outrage.'
"The Judge-Advocate reminded the General that such remarks were notproper in the presence of the Court.
"'Yes,' said the General, 'I spoke before I thought; but the improprietyof the remark does not change my opinion.'
"The charges were read to the boy, charging him that in this, 'he, JamesWhitcomb, a private soldier, was regularly detailed and placed on guardduty, and that he slept while on post in the face of the enemy, therebyendangering the Army of the United States.'
"The Judge-Advocate advised the boy to plead 'not guilty,' which he did.
"Just at this moment Capt. Jackson Lyon came along where the Court wasin session, and for the first time heard of this trial. He listened fora moment and heard the name of the boy mentioned, and it struck himat once that it might be Seraine's brother. He waited until the Courtadjourned and asked permission to speak to the boy. It being granted, heascertained that James Whitcomb was the brother of Seraine, who had goneSouth in search of Henry. He told the boy to be of good cheer--to admitnothing; that when they proved the charge, as perhaps they would, to askpermission to make a statement, and then to tell all about his march;the reason for his inability to keep awake, and all about his conditionon that night, and that he, Capt. Jackson Lyon, would look after him;but not to mention him as his friend, but as one only feeling a sympathyfor him.
"Jackson wrote to me that day all about the case, and thought it wasbest that his father and mother should not be made aware of his arrestand trial, but that I should write to the President all about the case,and do no more until he (Jackson) should arrive. My son Jackson was avery cool-headed man, and always did everything in the manner that wouldcreate the least excitement o
r suspicion. You see, he had a plan in amoment for the safety of this poor boy.
"Well, to get back. The next day the Court reassembled at 12 o'clockand proceeded with the trial. The witnesses were sworn. Serg't Smithexhibited the detail for the guard, as well as the detail from the boy'scompany, and the report of the detail to him with James Whitcomb'sname on the same. He then showed the time for the boy's guard-duty tocommence on that relief, and finally, by the Officer of the Guard whowent around with the relief guard, that the boy was found asleep anddid not arouse from his slumber when he was challenged, but that theSergeant of the Guard had to shake him quite hard to arouse him. This,you can see, was very strong and hard to get over."
"Yes," said Col. Bush, "that was a strong case. I was hoping to hearthat there was a mistake about it."
Maj. Clymer said: "Well, I hope he was acquitted. I have slept manya time on my horse during a hard march, when if I had been placed onguard-duty I would have gone to sleep in five minutes."
"So have I," said Capt. Zeke Inglesby.
"Yes, yes. I have no doubt of that; but it is not the men who commitacts against law that are always punished, but those who are caught.These men seemed to think this a terrible crime in this boy, and yet,perhaps, there was not one of them who could have done differently underthe same circumstances.
"After the witnesses had been heard against the poor boy, he showedgreat mental suffering and agony; the disgrace to his parents and sisterwas what troubled him so much. His company officers were sworn, andstated that prior to this no complaint had ever been made against theboy. That although they only knew him as a soldier, they had alwaysobserved his neatness and soldierly appearance and bearing; they allthought that the march the two days before and until 9 o'clock the nighton which he was found asleep on post, was calculated to tire out a boyof his frail organization.
"The Chief Surgeon stated that a boy of his constitution would be verylikely to drop to sleep anywhere after such a strain upon his physicalstrength.
"This closed the evidence with the exception of one witness. The boyasked if he could make a statement to the Court. Some discussionarose on this point. The Court was cleared, and Jackson said that heafterwards learned that old Gen. Sleeman grew very angry at the ideaof refusing an innocent boy a chance to say a word in his own defense.Finally, it was agreed that the boy might make his statement. He arose,and, with a tremulous voice and much agitation, said:
"'Gentlemen of the Court: I am a poor boy. My life is of no value tome, and but little to my country. I have risked it several times withoutfear or nervousness. For my parents' sake I would like to go throughthis war with an honorable record. To take my life would do me butlittle harm. I can meet death as a true soldier. But what can this greatGovernment gain by taking my life? You can inflict ruin, distress andmisery upon an old man and woman, and upon my queenly sister, who is nowgoing through more perils, if I am correctly informed, than any of us.I came to the army not for gain. I was getting much more pay withoutrisking my life, but I felt it my duty to aid in sustaining ourGovernment. I did not dream, however, that in the event that I shouldescape death from the hands of the enemies of our country that, for anunhappy result entirely unavoidable, my comrades-in-arms would hastento make a sacrifice of me. Were I guilty of anything that I could haveavoided, then I would not ask for leniency; but this I could not avoid.That I slept on my post I will not deny; but I pray you hear my excuse.It is this: Two days before this offense was committed, we had marchedthrough rain and mud some twenty miles in pursuit (as it was said)of Forrester's cavalry. I did not see many horse tracks in the road,however, and took it that our forces had captured all their horses, andthat the rebels were taking it on foot, as we were.'
"Here Gen. Sleeman laughed, and said _sotto voce_: 'That boy ought tobe put in command of our cavalry, instead of being shot.'
"'The night of this march my messmate, John Martin, a boy of my own ageand my neighbor before coming to the army, was taken quite ill. Itwas his turn to be on guard. I took his guard duty that night, and wasentirely without sleep. When not on post I was attending to him, ashe would have done for me. The next day John was not able to carryhis knapsack and gun on the march, and as we had no transportation, Icarried his as well as my own. The burden was very great for me, andwhen we arrived in camp I was completely exhausted. John was not able tostand my guard, and when I told the Sergeant my condition, he would notexcuse me, and gave as a reason that I had no business to carry John'sgun and knapsack, inasmuch as I had no orders from him to do so. I thinkthe Sergeant would do much better as a General than as a Sergeant. Imay do him injustice, and I would not do that for the world, but I dobelieve that he entertains the same high opinion of himself that I do ofhim.'
"At which remark old Gen. Sleeman laughed again, and said, so as to beheard, 'That boy will be a man some day, and, by the eternal, it wouldbe a crime--yes, a murder--to shoot him.'
"Continuing, James Whitcomb said: 'This, gentlemen of the Court, ismy excuse, no more, no less. I hope that John Martin may be called toverify my statement.'
"When the boy sat down the whole Court were in tears.
"John Martin was called, and he did verify everything that had beenstated by James Whitcomb. This closed the evidence in the case. TheCourt adjourned until the next day at 12 o'clock. When they met theybegan the consideration of the verdict. The Judge-Advocate charged theCourt that the evidence was clear and conclusive; that the law fixed thepenalty; that there was no way out of it; they must find the fact thathe did sleep on his post, and that fact being found, the verdict must bedeath.
"The Court was two days coming to a conclusion. When they did, my God,it was enough to make a man's blood run cold in his veins. They foundhim guilty on all the charges and specifications, and sentenced himto be shot to death, with only ten days' respite. The sentence wasapproved, and orders given to manacle the boy and double his guard. Gen.Sleeman raved like a madman, and came near resigning; said if the boywas shot he would at once resign. As soon as the judgment of the Courtwas known, Jackson took a leave of absence for ten days and left on thetrain that evening for home. He came, and on his arrival was lookinglike a ghost. All ran to him to welcome him.
"He soon assumed his wonted calmness, and talked with his mother, MaryAnderson and Jennie, as well as the little girls, telling them all aboutthe army. His mother was still sick in bed over the murder of our sonStephen; but we all enjoyed seeing Jackson, and were glad to know thatPeter and Gen. Anderson were well. Our family, you will observe, was notvery large at this time. Jackson made Aunt Martha happy by telling herthat Ham was well, and was behaving splendidly.
"'Thank de good Laud for dat. I always 'spects to hear he killed. ButI knows Ham; he am awful coward. He allers runs off when dere is anydanger. I have to look out for dat.'
"Jackson had a full report of the proceedings of the Court-Martial sofar as the testimony and the boy's statement was concerned. He readthe whole statement over to Jennie (David's widow), Mary Anderson andmyself. As he read the boy's statement the two ladies burst into tears.Mary Anderson arose and walked the floor, looking like a Queen, andseemingly much excited. Finally she said--I shall ever remember herwords:
"'My God, what does all this mean? Has the great Father forsaken thisfamily? Four have already lost their lives, and one now suffering insome loathsome prison if alive; my husband and Peter nearly at death'sdoor on more than one occasion; Seraine Whitcomb, a lovely girl, withher only brother in the army (he a mere boy), she leaves her old fatherand mother to take the chances of her life through the lines searchingfor one of our family, and now her only brother under sentence of deathfor what he could not help doing. Capt. Jackson, what do you propose?'
"Jackson replied that some one must proceed to Washington at once, andthat he thought it was not best to let the boy's parents in Detroit knowthe facts, they being old people and alone (according to the statementof the boy), and as the young lady is doubtless searching for Henry, aswe all surmise from her le
tter to our father, it is certainly our dutyto look after this boy's case ourselves. I have only ten days' leavefrom my duty, and therefore brought these papers, thinking that fathermight perhaps go to see the President.
"Mary Anderson spoke up at once and said:
"'No, sir; no, sir. Your father will not go. He must not leave AuntSarah in her present condition. I will go; yes, I will go at once. Getme a ticket, I want no trunk; my satchel will do. I will be off on thefirst train.'
"Jennie said, 'Why, Mary, you will not go, will you?'
"'Yes, I am going. I am determined to do so. It is settled; so do notattempt to stop me.'
"'Well,' said Jennie, 'Uncle Daniel, what shall we do?'
"I replied, 'She is determined on it, and we will just help her to getoff at once.'
"So the ticket was procured and Mary was off with a good-bye, takingwith her a full statement of the case made out by Jackson, also hisletter, and a letter from me to the President. Under the circumstancesthis was a painful trip to her--the anxiety as to her success; the factthat she knew nothing about the family in whose behalf she was enlisted.She a stranger to the President, how should she approach him? What couldshe say to him? Suppose he would refuse to interpose in behalf of theboy? And a thousand inquiries would come to her mind to annoy her. Sheslept none on her way, but finally arrived safely in Washington, andwent directly to the Executive Mansion without stopping to take amouthful of food or a moment's repose.
"When she reached the threshold of the mansion she came near fainting;her courage and strength both seemed to leave her all at once. Presentlyher strength returned, and she asked to be admitted. The usher said,'I will see,' and took her name to the President; also my letter. ThePresident was alone. She could not speak. The President came forward andtook her by the hand and greeted her most kindly, saying that he almostknew her; that he knew much of her through me, as I had spoken of her inconnection with her husband. The President said:
"'Your brave husband is so well known to me through my friend Mr. Lyon,and through his daring on the field, that you would need no introductionmore than that I should know who you are; and I take it that you are onan errand of mercy, as I am sure you could not be here to ask anythingfor your husband, as I would do anything for him, as he knows, merelyfor the asking by himself or my friend Lyon.'
"'No, Mr. President; you will never be troubled by me in that way. I amtruly on an errand of mercy and justice'; and here she broke down andwept.
"When she recovered she said:
"'Mr. President, my errand is to save the destruction of a good family.'
"She then recited the facts as to the two old people, and that Seraine,the only daughter, was now on an errand of mercy South somewhere.
"The President replied that he remembered giving her a letter at therequest of his friend Daniel Lyon, and said:
"'My dear Mrs. Anderson, there is hardly anything that I would not dofor any of Mr. Lyon's family, as well as Gen. Anderson and yourself;and, certainly, if to prevent a calamity to such a family as youdescribe Mr. Whitcomb's to be, I would do anything that would be properand reasonable for me to do.'
"She was very much encouraged by these remarks, and began to feel moreat ease.
"The President, seeing this, asked her many questions about herhusband's health, and also about my family. When she spoke of Stephen'sfoul murder, the President walked the floor and remarked:
"'Most diabolical--fiendish.'"
("Little did he or she then suppose that it was her own brother that hadcommitted this wicked and cruel murder.")
"By this time she was so much encouraged that she handed him the letterand statement of Jackson.
"The President read the letter, and then read and reread Jackson'sstatement. Great tears rolled down his bronzed cheeks as he read thestatement. He tapped a bell, and sent for the Secretary of War. TheSecretary soon came, and greeted Mrs. Anderson very cordially on beingintroduced. The President asked him to take a seat, and handed him thestatement. He read it, and said:
"'I will at once see if any papers in this case have been forwarded.'
"During all this time imagine the suspense and fears of Mary Anderson.
"The Secretary sent to the Judge-Advocate-General, and found that thepapers had just arrived.
"The President said:
"'Let them be brought to me immediately.'
"When they were placed before him he read them over carefully,remarking, when he had finished, that they were exactly as stated byCapt. Lyon. He handed them to the Secretary and asked him to read them,which he did, and laid them down without a word of comment.
"After some conversation between the two men, the President turned toher and said:
"'Mrs. Anderson, cheer up, weep no more; your friend shall not be hurt!Instead of showing himself unworthy of clemency he has proven himself anoble boy. The kindness which he showed to his messmate and neighborboy was enough to have commended him to mercy. He should have beencomplimented for his kindness and excused from duty, instead of havingit imposed upon him. You can go home and bear the glad tidings to hisfather and mother that their boy shall be saved for a better fate.'
"Mary Anderson, trembling with emotion, said:
"'Mr. President, you are so very kind, sir. But, if you will pardon me,his father and mother know nothing of their boy's trouble. We kept itfrom them, believing it would have caused them great distress. We desireto keep it from them.'
"'Do you say that his father and mother do not know of this, nor thatyou are here?'
"'Mr. President, they are not aware of the case.'
"'Mrs. Anderson, that was very considerate in your friends and yourself,to keep this from them for the present at least.'
"The President then wrote, with his own hand, a telegram, ordering thesuspension of sentence against James Whitcomb--that he had been fullypardoned--signed it and sent it to the office with directions thatthe dispatch be sent at once. Mary Anderson on her knees thanked thePresident from the fullness of her heart. He bade her rise; said he haddone nothing that she should thank him for; that if he had permittedsuch a sentence to be carried out he never could have forgiven himself.He bade her go home and carry the good tidings to her friends. He toldher to give me and my family his kindest regards. She then left with alight heart.
"She went directly to the train, forgetting that she had eaten nothingduring the day. She returned to us one of the happiest persons that everlived, and you may depend upon it that we all shared in her joy. Capt.Jackson had returned to his command prior to Mary's return from Washington. When we all got through with the family talk and Mary had eatenher dinner, she gave us a full account of her trip, her agonies andsensations on meeting the President. She was exceedingly happy in herdetails about her trip and her success; but, strange to say, she neveralluded to it again voluntarily, and would, as much as possible, avoidconversation on the subject when spoken to in reference to it.
"Gen. Anderson had asked that James Whitcomb be detailed from hisregiment and assigned to him as an Orderly at his Headquarters, whichwas done. And again all was moving on quietly in the field."
"Yes," said Capt. Inglesby, "as I before stated, there would have beenwarm times in that camp had they shot that boy. The whole camp had heardthe facts about his helping his comrade, and the soldiers with one voicesaid he should not be executed. His pardon was a Godsend to the officerswho were intending to carry out the sentence. During all my experience(and I was through the whole war) I never knew such a mutinous feelingin the army as that sentence created."
Dr. Adams remarked that in all his reading and experience in life therehad not been a female character brought to his notice who had shown thewill, determination and good judgment that Mrs. Anderson had from thebeginning of the war; her fixed Union principles; her determinationto make any and all sacrifices for the cause of her country; herpersistence in hunting for her husband when all others were sure of hisdeath at Dolinsburg--few women like her have lived in our time. "Godb
less her, whether she is living or dead!"
The tears rolled down the old man's cheeks, but he uttered not one wordin response.