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 headwaters
of Goose River and Cane's Fork, near Tullahoming, in the midst of a rich
valley, Rosenfelt at once commenced repairing the railroads and throwing
up earthworks near Murphy's Hill, which almost encircled the entire
place. There he remained during the winter and following spring. The two
armies were principally engaged in watching each other, neither being
willing to risk an advance against the other. For several months this
situation continued. The only operations that marked this long period of
inaction on the part of the two armies were a series of small exploits
which were calculated to cause the two armies to degenerate into small
bands, that could only be employed in harassing their enemies. The
rebels got ready, however, and made the first attempt. Gen. Weller, with
a brigade of cavalry, pushed his way up within a few miles of Nashua,
burned a railroad bridge, then descended on the right bank of the
Le-Harp River to the banks of Combination River, and there seized
several of our transports, which were loaded with supplies. He burned
these with all their cargoes. One of our gunboats reached the scene of
action just in time to also become a prey to the flames.
“This act on the part of the rebel cavalrymen in its audacity seems to
have completely paralyzed our mounted troops, and Weller was permitted
to return entirely unmolested. In a very short time, elated by his
success, he concentrated a force of some 3,000 men under Gens. Forrester
and Lawting, with two batteries, within twenty miles of Nashua. Gen.
Rosenfelt, seeing that the rebels were riding all around and about him
with impunity, sent Gen. Davies with one division of infantry, and two
brigades of cavalry commanded by Gen. Minting, in order to hem Weller in
and 'bag him' and take him into camp, as the soldiers would say. Davies
marched from Murphy's Hill to Eagle Cove; Sleeman marched from Nashua
with a division of infantry, upon Tyrone; Minting moved away to the
south by way of Franktown, where the forces were all to close in like
pulling the drawstring of a bag and closing it over your game. But when
opened there was no Weller inside. The next heard of him he had pushed
on far to the northwest, and while our forces were closing in at
Franktown, Weller had again reached the borders of Combination River at
Mariam's Crossing, and appeared before Dolinsburg on the next day. You
remember the great battle fought at Dolinsburg, where Gen. Tom. Anderson
was thought to have been killed, but was found by me in the darky's
cabin?” They answered: “Yes; that could not be forgotten.” “Well,
gentlemen, this place was still commanded by good old Col. Harden. He
had but 700 men all told. The place was encircled by parapets commanding
the ravines north and south. In the center the Colonel had constructed
large earthworks, and mounted thereon one 32-pounder. He also had
a section of field-guns. The rebels lost no time in making their
dispositions, and were ready for the assault. Col. Harden hastily made
preparations to receive the enemy. He placed his women and sick on a
transport that lay at the wharf. That being done, the old Colonel said
to his men: 'Boys, here I will die before I will lower that flag.' and
his command all cheered him, and said 'we agree to that sentiment.'
“Weller was now ready; he ordered Forrester and Law-ting to advance
and attack. But before doing so he thought it would be the more correct
warfare to summon the garrison to surrender. He did so by sending a flag
of truce and demanding a surrender of the fort. Col. Harden inquired
by what authority the surrender was demanded. The reply was that Gen.
Weller demanded it 'in the name of Jefferson Davis, President of the
Southern 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 the
bayonet. 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 as
he galloped up under a heavy fire his loss was severe. The soldiers
who were defending that part of the outer works retreated inside of the
heavy fortifications. A murderous and destructive fire was now opened
upon the enemy from all sides of the works.
“Forrester fell back and formed a new line, and Weller put his whole
force in action. Lawting joined Forrester on the right, and the assault
was made.
“Old Col. Harden said: 'Boys, here they come; let them charge close up
before you fire. Fill that old 32-pounder with bullets on top of the
shell;' and they did.
“So Forrester charged with his men right up to the works. Col. Harden
gave the command 'Fire!' and with one volley from muskets and the old
32-pounder the cavalry retreated in every direction; many horses and men
fell under this terrible fire. Our men leaped out of the works, and with
bayonets fixed charged down against Forrester's men and captured many
of them. Forrester's best Colonel was killed and his command routed and
demoralized. 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 still
floated over Dolins-burg. During the night a gunboat came to the rescue.
“The next morning there were no rebels in sight, save killed and
wounded. Dolinsburg was never again assaulted by the enemy during the
war. 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 during
his stay at the Colonel's Headquarters.
“Weller was being followed up by Davies, who had finally gotten on
his track. But he took another tack; he moved a short distance, as if
intending to meet Davies, and then suddenly wheeled to the right and
reached Center-town by way of Pinche's Factory, along the line of Goose
River. After fording the river he called a halt at Colesburg. His men
were now worn out with fatigue, and his horses totally unfitted for
further service until thoroughly recuperated. This ended Gen. Weller's
exploits for a considerable length of time. Just then another raider
appeared upon the scene--one Gen. Van Doring, in command of some 5,000
fresh cavalry. This new force gave the enemy courage, and they at once
renewed their former audacity. They were determined to wipe out if
possible the terrible and painful result of their attack upon Col.
Harden at Dolinsburg, and immediately advanced within a short distance
of Rosenfelt's main encampment, drove in his outposts, and threatened
his short Une of communication with Nashua. By this time large
re-enforcements had arrived by way of transports up the Combination
River to Nashua. Sleeman's division had moved forward to the main force
at Murphy's Hill. The General felt that he must rid the country of these
raiders, or his situation would become intolerable. His detachments,
except in large bodies, could not venture out of camp without danger of
being attacked by rebel cavalry. Later on, one day, a report came that
our outposts were attacked and part of them captured within a few miles
of his main army. Rosenfelt was greatly excited to think that with his
force of cavalry--one brigade at Nashua, one at Franktown supported by
a division of infantry at each place, and two brigades at his main
position--the rebels were audacious enough to come in sight of his camp
and menace him. Just at this moment Gen. Sherlin, a small man, but a
great soldier, came into his headquarters and said:
“'General, how would you like to have an infantry commander take one
of your detachments of cavalry and try his hand on Van Doring, who, I
understand, 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 can
run 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, and
were off. They started with Sherlin at their head, and were not long
in reaching Brady's Wood, where the enemy was strongly posted. Without
hesitating for one moment Sherlin attacked them and charged, saber in
hand. The contest was of short duration. The rebels had not seen that
kind of cavalry fighting before. They were soon routed and driven in
great disorder back to and across Goose River. Sherlin returned the next
day with 200 prisoners and a command of encouraged men. This aroused
great jealousy with the cavalry officers, and made him the subject
of many remarks. But he went quietly back to his command of infantry
without any exultation or mention of his victory.
“Gen. Sherlin and Gen. Anderson that evening were speaking of our
cavalry, when Sherlin remarked that they only wanted some one to teach
them how to fight.
“'That is true,' said Gen. Anderson; 'we must obtain consent to go out
and attack the enemy whenever and wherever we may find him. We now have
re-enforcements, our army is fresh and well supplied in all respects.'
“The General commanding finding this feeling existing, and seeing that
his re-enforcements had all come forward and were in camp, amounting to
some 14,000, while Biggs had only received the 5,000 cavalry under Van
Doring, he felt that he could afford to make a forward movement and
attack his antagonist wherever he might be found. So he commenced by
directing that our forces were to make Goose River our line for the
present, by first driving the enemy to the south side of the same, and
if possible force him out of this part of the country.
“Sherlin's division and two brigades of cavalry were to march to Eagle
Cove and thence to Columbiana; Sleeman's division, with other troops,
were to form the center; the left was to move on Shelltown;--the whole
to concentrate on and along the north bank of Goose River. Gen. Corbin,
being in advance on the road leading to Columbiana, met Van Doring at
Spring Hill, and after five hours' hard fighting surrendered his whole
command. When this news reached Rosenfelt, who was still at Murphy's
Hill, it disturbed him much. The troops having now marched for a week
over very bad roads through rain and mud, he directed them to return
to their former positions, 'having accomplished all that the commanding
General 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 the
Department of Kentucky, soon cleared that State of these pests.
Their mode of warfare on either side was merely harassing without
accomplishing any great results. Very soon Rosenfelt's troops were again
within his old camp lines, and Forrester commenced annoying him in many
ways. Gen. Papson being at Rosenfelt's Headquarters, in conversation
remarked:
“'If you will allow Gen. Anderson, of my corps, to take command of a
division of your cavalry, and give him instructions that Forrester
must be driven beyond Goose River and kept there, I will guarantee good
results.'
“Rosenfelt readily assented, and the arrangements were made and the
order given. The command started, and by rapid marches came up to
Forrester at a point near Auburnville, and drove him as far as Winter
Hill, a point where the general headquarters of the rebel cavalry had
been for some days. Gen. Anderson charged down upon them with his whole
force in regular old English cavalry style, with drawn sabers. The rebel
cavalry made stubborn resistance, but our force drove them from their
position with much slaughter. They retreated in great confusion, and
were closely pursued and sorely pressed until they were forced to cross
Goose River at different points. The country was now cleared of them for
the present. Gen. Anderson returned with 600 prisoners. This ended the
raids, and our army was not subjected to these harassing exploits again
while it remained at Murphy's Hill. During these many annoyances by the
rebel cavalry our troops were sent after them so frequently and marched
so rapidly, and at times such great distances, that they often became
weary and footsore.
“The day after Gen. Anderson returned from driving Forrester out of this
portion of the country a division of infantry under Sleeman returned
from a very long and circuitous march. On the detail for guard duty that
night was a boy from one of the Michigan regiments, (the 1st Michigan
I think,) who during the night was found asleep on his watch. He
was arrested and taken to the guard-house. The young man was greatly
troubled. He had been a good soldier; had never shirked any duty imposed
upon him. The next day he was reported by Serg't Smith as being found
asleep while on duty. This was a serious matter,--the penalty being
death if found guilty. The report was taken to Gen. Sleeman, and by
him transmitted to Gen. Rosenfelt with a request that he order the
Court-Martial, if one should be decided upon. The General at once
ordered the Court. I never have believed that severe punishments in
the army were productive of good discipline. The best soldiers are the
kindest men, and the most successful are those who inflict the fewest
severe punishments upon their men. The detail for the Court was made and
the charges filed.
“The Court held its sessions at Gen. Rosenfelt's Headquarters. The poor
boy 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 much
like a girl as a boy. His appearance made a deep impression upon
the members of the Court; great sympathy was felt for him. The
Judge-Advocate asked him if he had any objections to the Court, which
was composed of officers from Gen. Sleeman's Division, with Gen. Sleeman
as 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 few
persons in the army. I know only my messmates. I am not acquainted with
any of the officers of my own company. I know their names, but have no
personal acquaintance with either of them.'
“'Do you never talk with any of your company officers?' inquired the
Judge-Advocate.
“'No, sir,' replied the youth; 'I have never asked a favor since I have
been in the army. I have obeyed orders, and strictly performed my duty
and 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 the
impulse of the moment said, 'That was an outrage.'
“The Judge-Advocate reminded the General that such remarks were not
proper in the presence of the Court.
“'Yes,' said the General, 'I spoke before I thought; but the impropriety
of the remark does not change my opinion.'
“The charges were read to the boy, charging him that in this, 'he, James
Whitcomb, a private soldier, was regularly detailed and placed on guard
duty, and that he slept while on post in the face of the enemy, thereby
endangering 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 was
in session, and for the first time heard of this trial. He listened for
a moment and heard the name of the boy mentioned, and it struck him
at once that it might be Seraine's brother. He waited until the Court
adjourned and asked permission to speak to the boy. It being granted, he
ascertained that James Whitcomb was the brother of Seraine, who had gone
South in search of Henry. He told the boy to be of good cheer--to admit
nothing; that when they proved the charge, as perhaps they would, to ask
permission to make a statement, and then to tell all about his march;
the reason for his inability to keep awake, and all about his condition
on 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 sympathy
for him.
“Jackson wrote to me that day all about the case, and thought it was
best that his father and mother should not be made aware of his arrest
and 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 a
very cool-headed man, and always did everything in the manner that would
create the least excitement or suspicion. You see, he had a plan in a
moment for the safety of this poor boy.
“Well, to get back. The next day the Court reassembled at 12 o'clock
and proceeded with the trial. The witnesses were sworn. Serg't Smith
exhibited the detail for the guard, as well as the detail from the boy's
company, and the report of the detail to him with James Whitcomb's
name on the same. He then showed the time for the boy's guard-duty to
commence on that relief, and finally, by the Officer of the Guard who
went around with the relief guard, that the boy was found asleep and
did not arouse from his slumber when he was challenged, but that the
Sergeant 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 hear
that there was a mistake about it.”
Maj. Clymer said: “Well, I hope he was acquitted. I have slept many
a time on my horse during a hard march, when if I had been placed on
guard-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 commit
acts 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 under
the same circumstances.
“After the witnesses had been heard against the poor boy, he showed
great mental suffering and agony; the disgrace to his parents and sister
was what troubled him so much. His company officers were sworn, and
stated that prior to this no complaint had ever been made against the
boy. That although they only knew him as a soldier, they had always
observed his neatness and soldierly appearance and bearing; they all
thought that the march the two days before and until 9 o'clock the night
on which he was found asleep on post, was calculated to tire out a boy
of his frail organization.
“The Chief Surgeon stated that a boy of his constitution would be very
likely to drop to sleep anywhere after such a strain upon his physical
strength.
“This closed the evidence with the exception of one witness. The boy
asked if he could make a statement to the Court. Some discussion
arose on this point. The Court was cleared, and Jackson said that he
afterwards learned that old Gen. Sleeman grew very angry at the idea
of 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 to
me, and but little to my country. I have risked it several times without
fear or nervousness. For my parents' sake I would like to go through
this war with an honorable record. To take my life would do me but
little harm. I can meet death as a true soldier. But what can this great
Government gain by taking my life? You can inflict ruin, distress and
misery upon an old man and woman, and upon my queenly sister, who is now
going 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 without
risking my life, but I felt it my duty to aid in sustaining our
Government. I did not dream, however, that in the event that I should
escape death from the hands of the enemies of our country that, for an
unhappy result entirely unavoidable, my comrades-in-arms would hasten
to make a sacrifice of me. Were I guilty of anything that I could have
avoided, 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 marched
through 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, and
that the rebels were taking it on foot, as we were.'
“Here Gen. Sleeman laughed, and said _sotto voce_: 'That boy ought to
be put in command of our cavalry, instead of being shot.'
“'The night of this march my messmate, John Martin, a boy of my own age
and my neighbor before coming to the army, was taken quite ill. It
was his turn to be on guard. I took his guard duty that night, and was
entirely without sleep. When not on post I was attending to him, as
he would have done for me. The next day John was not able to carry
his knapsack and gun on the march, and as we had no transportation, I
carried his as well as my own. The burden was very great for me, and
when we arrived in camp I was completely exhausted. John was not able to
stand my guard, and when I told the Sergeant my condition, he would not
excuse me, and gave as a reason that I had no business to carry John's
gun and knapsack, inasmuch as I had no orders from him to do so. I think
the Sergeant would do much better as a General than as a Sergeant. I
may do him injustice, and I would not do that for the world, but I do
believe that he entertains the same high opinion of himself that I do of
him.'
“At which remark old Gen. Sleeman laughed again, and said, so as to be
heard, 'That boy will be a man some day, and, by the eternal, it would
be a crime--yes, a murder--to shoot him.'
“Continuing, James Whitcomb said: 'This, gentlemen of the Court, is
my excuse, no more, no less. I hope that John Martin may be called to
verify my statement.'
“When the boy sat down the whole Court were in tears.
“John Martin was called, and he did verify everything that had been
stated by James Whitcomb. This closed the evidence in the case. The
Court adjourned until the next day at 12 o'clock. When they met they
began the consideration of the verdict. The Judge-Advocate charged the
Court that the evidence was clear and conclusive; that the law fixed the
penalty; that there was no way out of it; they must find the fact that
he did sleep on his post, and that fact being found, the verdict must be
death.
“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 found
him guilty on all the charges and specifications, and sentenced him
to be shot to death, with only ten days' respite. The sentence was
approved, and orders given to manacle the boy and double his guard. Gen.
Sleeman raved like a madman, and came near resigning; said if the boy
was shot he would at once resign. As soon as the judgment of the Court
was known, Jackson took a leave of absence for ten days and left on the
train that evening for home. He came, and on his arrival was looking
like a ghost. All ran to him to welcome him.
“He soon assumed his wonted calmness, and talked with his mother, Mary
Anderson and Jennie, as well as the little girls, telling them all about
the army. His mother was still sick in bed over the murder of our son
Stephen; but we all enjoyed seeing Jackson, and were glad to know that
Peter and Gen. Anderson were well. Our family, you will observe, was not
very large at this time. Jackson made Aunt Martha happy by telling her
that Ham was well, and was behaving splendidly.
“'Thank de good Laud for dat. I always 'spects to hear he killed. But
I knows Ham; he am awful coward. He allers runs off when dere is any
danger. I have to look out for dat.'
“Jackson had a full report of the proceedings of the Court-Martial so
far as the testimony and the boy's statement was concerned. He read
the whole statement over to Jennie (David's widow), Mary Anderson and
myself. As he read the boy's statement the two ladies burst into tears.
Mary Anderson arose and walked the floor, looking like a Queen, and
seemingly much excited. Finally she said--I shall ever remember her
words:
“'My God, what does all this mean? Has the great Father forsaken this
family? Four have already lost their lives, and one now suffering in
some loathsome prison if alive; my husband and Peter nearly at death's
door on more than one occasion; Seraine Whitcomb, a lovely girl, with
her only brother in the army (he a mere boy), she leaves her old father
and mother to take the chances of her life through the lines searching
for one of our family, and now her only brother under sentence of death
for what he could not help doing. Capt. Jackson, what do you propose?'
“Jackson replied that some one must proceed to Washington at once, and
that he thought it was not best to let the boy's parents in Detroit know
the facts, they being old people and alone (according to the statement
of the boy), and as the young lady is doubtless searching for Henry, as
we all surmise from her letter to our father, it is certainly our duty
to look after this boy's case ourselves. I have only ten days' leave
from my duty, and therefore brought these papers, thinking that father
might 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 Aunt
Sarah in her present condition. I will go; yes, I will go at once. Get
me a ticket, I want no trunk; my satchel will do. I will be off on the
first 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 not
attempt 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 get
off at once.'
“So the ticket was procured and Mary was off with a good-bye, taking
with her a full statement of the case made out by Jackson, also his
letter, and a letter from me to the President. Under the circumstances
this was a painful trip to her--the anxiety as to her success; the fact
that she knew nothing about the family in whose behalf she was enlisted.
She a stranger to the President, how should she approach him? What could
she say to him? Suppose he would refuse to interpose in behalf of the
boy? And a thousand inquiries would come to her mind to annoy her. She
slept none on her way, but finally arrived safely in Washington, and
went directly to the Executive Mansion without stopping to take a
mouthful 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. Presently
her strength returned, and she asked to be admitted. The usher said,
'I will see,' and took her name to the President; also my letter. The
President was alone. She could not speak. The President came forward and
took her by the hand and greeted her most kindly, saying that he almost
knew her; that he knew much of her through me, as I had spoken of her in
connection 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 introduction
more than that I should know who you are; and I take it that you are on
an errand of mercy, as I am sure you could not be here to ask anything
for your husband, as I would do anything for him, as he knows, merely
for the asking by himself or my friend Lyon.'
“'No, Mr. President; you will never be troubled by me in that way. I am
truly on an errand of mercy and justice'; and here she broke down and
wept.
“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 the
request of his friend Daniel Lyon, and said:
“'My dear Mrs. Anderson, there is hardly anything that I would not do
for 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 you
describe Mr. Whitcomb's to be, I would do anything that would be proper
and reasonable for me to do.'
“She was very much encouraged by these remarks, and began to feel more
at ease.
“The President, seeing this, asked her many questions about her
husband's health, and also about my family. When she spoke of Stephen's
foul 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 had
committed this wicked and cruel murder.”)
“By this time she was so much encouraged that she handed him the letter
and statement of Jackson.
“The President read the letter, and then read and reread Jackson's
statement. Great tears rolled down his bronzed cheeks as he read the
statement. He tapped a bell, and sent for the Secretary of War. The
Secretary soon came, and greeted Mrs. Anderson very cordially on being
introduced. The President asked him to take a seat, and handed him the
statement. 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 the
papers 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 by
Capt. 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 to
her 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 a
noble boy. The kindness which he showed to his messmate and neighbor
boy was enough to have commended him to mercy. He should have been
complimented for his kindness and excused from duty, instead of having
it imposed upon him. You can go home and bear the glad tidings to his
father 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 it
from them, believing it would have caused them great distress. We desire
to keep it from them.'
“'Do you say that his father and mother do not know of this, nor that
you 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 the
suspension of sentence against James Whitcomb--that he had been fully
pardoned--signed it and sent it to the office with directions that
the dispatch be sent at once. Mary Anderson on her knees thanked the
President from the fullness of her heart. He bade her rise; said he had
done nothing that she should thank him for; that if he had permitted
such 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 told
her to give me and my family his kindest regards. She then left with a
light heart.
“She went directly to the train, forgetting that she had eaten nothing
during the day. She returned to us one of the happiest persons that ever
lived, 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 Wash
ington. When we all got through with the family talk and Mary had eaten
her dinner, she gave us a full account of her trip, her agonies and
sensations on meeting the President. She was exceedingly happy in her
details about her trip and her success; but, strange to say, she never
alluded to it again voluntarily, and would, as much as possible, avoid
conversation on the subject when spoken to in reference to it.
“Gen. Anderson had asked that James Whitcomb be detailed from his
regiment and assigned to him as an Orderly at his Headquarters, which
was done. And again all was moving on quietly in the field.”
“Yes,” said Capt. Inglesby, “as I before stated, there would have been
warm times in that camp had they shot that boy. The whole camp had heard
the facts about his helping his comrade, and the soldiers with one voice
said he should not be executed. His pardon was a Godsend to the officers
who were intending to carry out the sentence. During all my experience
(and I was through the whole war) I never knew such a mutinous feeling
in the army as that sentence created.”
Dr. Adams remarked that in all his reading and experience in life there
had not been a female character brought to his notice who had shown the
will, determination and good judgment that Mrs. Anderson had from the
beginning of the war; her fixed Union principles; her determination
to make any and all sacrifices for the cause of her country; her
persistence in hunting for her husband when all others were sure of his
death at Dolinsburg--few women like her have lived in our time. “God
bless her, whether she is living or dead!”
The tears rolled down the old man's cheeks, but he uttered not one word
in response.