"I cannot yet tell how it has been decided. They went into executive session at once."
"But,... Surely,... They could not find you guilty?"
"There is little to tell. It was very brief."
"Then you were put to trial?" she asked with an apprehension uncertain in quality.
He was silent. He desired to withhold nothing from her, yet he could not find the words he wanted.
"Well.... I don't know.... I soured on the whole proceeding. The court-martial met, the Regimental Court Martial, with three members. This was permissible. They began, reading the charge as preferred by Colonel Forrest, which was to the effect that I had been guilty of striking my superior officer, Colonel Forrest, by attempting to choke him. To this was added the accusation of abusive, threatening language as well as a threat of murder. I, of course, pleaded not guilty; nor did I prepare any defense. The affair was so trivial that I was surprised that it ever had been brought to trial."
"They were very brief. Several witnesses were examined, the chief one being Mr. Anderson."
"Well, he appeared against me. After a few more preliminary questions I was put on the stand in my own defense. I told briefly the circumstances which led to the incident (I would not call it an assault, for I continually maintained it to be of a trivial nature and worthy only of an explanation). I told how the Colonel had used certain derogatory remarks against the faith that I believed and practiced, which occasioned a violent argument. This, I think, was the great mistake I made, for it appeared to make an unfavorable impression upon the Court. In this respect they were unquestionably on the side of Forrest. Then I related the remark incident to my action, and announced that I would repeat the deed under similar circumstances were the same disrespectful language directed against the Commander-in-chief. This, I fear, made little impression either since I was already attached to the staff of General Washington. And a jealous rival general was about to decide my guilt. That ended it. I was excused and the Court adjourned."
"For these reasons I have serious misgivings as to my fate."
"I do not know. It may result in a suspension, and it may result in a verdict of 'not guilty.'"