"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
s