Traverse Rocke drew himself up and said, that the truth, like the
blessed sun, must, on its shining forth, dispel all clouds of error;
that, trusting in the power of truth, he should briefly relate the
history of the preceding seven days. And then he commenced and
narrated the facts with which the reader is, already acquainted.
Traverse was interrupted several times in the course of his
narrative by the President, General W., a severe martinet, who
reminded him that an attempt to criminate his superior Officers
would only injure his cause before the court.
Traverse, bowing, as in duty bound to the President at every fresh
interruption, nevertheless proceeded straight on with his narrative
to its conclusion.
The defence being closed, the Judge Advocate arose, as was his
privilege, to have the last word. He stated that if the prisoner had
been oppressed or aggrieved by his superior officer, his remedy lay
in the 35th of the Articles of War, providing that any soldier who
shall feel himself wronged by his captain shall complain thereof to
the Colonel of his Regiment.
To this the prisoner begged to reply that he had considered the
Colonel of his Regiment his personal enemy, and as such could have
little hope of the issue, even if he had had opportunity afforded
him, of appealing to that authority.
The Judge Advocate expressed his belief that this complaint was
vexatious and groundless.
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