The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-11-07
Touching Presidential Incident.

Whom President Lincoln, n few days spo.
visited the baltic fields 10 Western Mary.
land--espccialIy those of "Antietam" and
South Mountain"-ono OF those touching
incidents occurred which is destined, per-
hops, to find place in tho history OF the
war to be read in after times with sympa-
thotic emotions.
The President, accompanied by several
prominent friends, one of whom was John
Garrett. Esq. President Of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, visited the various hos
pitfalls in Sharpsburg. In passing, through
them he bad kind and cheering word Of
sympathy for all irrespective of whom, friend
or Too. As enmities close at the grave, so
should they bo amelioratod or softened ia
the chamber OF sickness or upon tho bod Of
suffering.
Passing through one of the hospitals do
voted exclusively to Confederate sick and
wounded. President Lincoln's attention was
drawn to young Georgian--a fine, noble
looking youth-stretched upon an humble
cot Tie was pate, emaciated and anxious,
far from kindred and home. vibrating. as it
were. between life and death. Every
stranger that entered caught his restless
eyes, in hopes Of their being some relative
or friend.
President Lincoln observing this youthful
soldier. approached and spoke asking him
if he suffered much pain. II do" was the
reply. 81 have lost leg, and feel l am
sinking from exhaustion"
Would you said Mr.. Lincoln, "shako
hands with me, il were TO tell you who /
am :! The response was Affirmative
There should" remarked tho young Geor-
gian. "bo no enemies in this place" Then
a. IL, L., 4 4 ..... ,,I
ham Lincoln, President of the United
States"
The young sufferer raised his head,
looked amazed, and freely extended his
hand, which Mr.. Lincoln took and pressed
tonderly for some time. There followed au
instructive pause. The wounded Confcd-
crates eyes melted into tears, his lips quiv-
erod aud his heart beat full. President
Lincoln bent over him motionless and dumb.
His eyes. too, were overfowing, thus giving
ntteraeoe to emotions far beyond the power
Of language to describe Perhaps he
thought of that young mans mother, his
father. his sisters ard brothers, who were
yet unconscious of his sad fate.
He regretted. doubtless, as did the uu-
ortunate youth, necessities which had
caused SO much anguish, whilst the sufferer
yielded to these higher attributes of human
ity that overlook all former enmites. It
was a most touching scene Not dry eye
was presont
Silence was subsequently broken by o
kind, conciliatory conversation between the
Presden, and this young Confederate,
when they parted there being but slim
hopes of the latter's recovery.
In no place. and under no circumstances,
do the forgiving the more God like qualities
OF our nature appear so admirable, so re-
doeming, as in these hospitals, whore friend
and foe, Frustrated by wounds, lie side by
side together. suffering, perchauce, from the
very injuries received by each other When
the strong man is brought low, he forgets
his strength, extending the hand of friend
ship, where, when well, and in fierce antago-
nism. the samo hand relentlessly deals out
slaughter and doath II affords striking
commentary upon the contrast between
cnmity and forgiveness-the harshDess Of
the one and the gentleness of the other, as
also those qualities in man from which they
spring.