as 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