As to the combat with Mortimer, I shall express no opinion.
You know the facts, and will judge me. But the other act was a deadly
crime. Gloss it over as you may, you can never justify murder. Use all
the special pleading possible, and the frightful deed is still as black
in the eyes of God and man as before. I saw that soon; saw it always;
see it to-day; and pray God in his infinite mercy to blot out that
crime from his book--to pardon the poor weak creature who was driven to
madness, and attempted to commit that deadly sin.
"Well, to end my long history. I remained in Europe until the news from
America indicated the approach of war--Nighthawk managing my estate,
and remitting me the proceeds at Paris. When I saw that an armed
collision was going to take place, I hastened back, reaching Virginia
in the winter of 1860. But I did not come to Fonthill. I had a horror
of the place. From New York, where I landed, I proceeded to Montgomery,
without stopping upon the route; found there a prominent friend of my
father who was raising a brigade in the Southwest; was invited by him
to aid him; and soon afterward was elected to the command of a company
of cavalry by his recommendation. I need only add, that I rose
gradually from captain to colonel, which rank I held in 1863, when we
first met on the Rappahannock--my regiment having been transferred to a
brigade of General Lee's cavalry.
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