Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-11-22
The Man whom tho President Pardoned.

A correspondent of The PAiladelhia Ina.
qxirer makes the following statement concern
ing William Scott, who was condemned to die
for sleeping at his post, near the Chain Bridge
on the Potomac, and pardoned by the Presi-
dent-but was recently killed at the battle
near Lees Mills Va. If our kindhearted
President will cherished a grcatful r-mem-
brance Of any act Of his life it will be the par
don Of this heroic and patriotic young soldier:
"Never till we stood by the grave Of the
Green Mountain boys did we realize how much
stranger is, truth than fiction. Your readers
will all recollect that last summer a private
was court-martialed for sleeping at bis post
out near Chain Bridge. on the Upper Poto-
mac. He was convicted; his sentence was
death the finding was approved of by the
General. and the day fixed for his execution.
He was a youth Of more than ordinary intel
ligence; he did not beg for pardon, but was
willing to meet his fate. The time drew near
the stern necessity of the war required that
an example should be made Of some one his
! was an aggravated case. But the case reached
the ears Of the President; he resolved to save
him; he signed pardon and sent it out; the
day came. Suppose thought the President,
my pardon has not reached him. The tcle.
graph was called into requisition; an answer
did not come promptly. Bring my csrriage,'
he ordered. 1t came, and soon the important
state papers were dropped, and through the
hot broiling sun and dusty roads he rode to
the camp about ten miles, and saw that the
soldier was saved! He has doubtless forgot
ten tho incident, but the soldier did not.
When the Third Vermont charged upon the
riAe-pits. the enemy poured volley upon
them. The first man who fell, was William
Scott, of Company X with six bullets in his
body. His comrado caught him up, and as
his life blood ebbed away, he raised to heaven.
amid the din of war, the cries Of the dying,
the shouts of the enemy, prayer for the Pres.
ident, and as he died he remarked to his COM
rades that he had shown he was no coward
and not afraid to die.
"He was inferred. in the presence of his
regiment, in little grove about two miles to
tho rear of tho rebol fort. in tho center of a
group of holly and vines; few cherry trees,
| in full bloom, are scattered around the edge.
In digging his grave a skull and bones were
found, and metal buttous. showing that the
identical spot had been used in tho Revolu-
tionary war for our fathers who fell in the same
cause. The Chaplain narrated the circum-
stances to the boys, who stood around with
uncovered heads. He prayed for the Presi-
dent, and paid tho most glowing tribute
to his noble heart that we ever heard. The
tears started in their eyes as the clods Of earth
we're thrown upon him in his narrow grave,
where he lay shrouded in his coat and blanket.
"The men separated; in few minutes all
were engaged in something around tho camp,
as though nothing had happened unusual; but
that scene will live upon their memories while
life lasts; the calm look Of Scott's face. tho
seeming look of satisfaction he felt, still lin-
gered; and could the President have seen him
10 would have felt that his act Of mercy had
been wisely bestowed"