Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-10-31

Baltimore, Oct. l6.--when President Lin
coin, few days ago, visited the battlefelds in
Western Maryland-especially those Of @Antie-
tam" and South Nountain"--one Of those
touching incidents occurred which is destined,
perhaps, to find a place in the history Of this
war, to he read in after times with sympathetic
emotions.
The President, accompanied by several prom
inent friends, one of whom was John Garrett,
Esq, President Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road, visited the various hospitals in Sharps
burg. In passing through them he had kind
aud cheering word of sympathy for all, irrespcc-
tive oil who, friend or foe. As enmities close at
the grave, so should they be ameliorated or soft
ened in the chamber Of sickness or upon the bed
of suffering
Passing through one Of the hospitals devoted
exclusively to Confederate sick and wounded,
President Lincolns attention drawn to a
young Georgian--a fine, noble looking youth
stretched upon an humble cot. He was pale,
emaciated and anxious far from kindred and
home, vibrating, "a it were, between life and
death. Every stranger that entered caught his
restless eyes, in hope of their being some rela-
tive or friend
| President Lincoln observing this youthful sol
dier, approaching and spoke, asking him il he
suffered much pain. 81 do" was the reply
"I have lost leg and feel l am sinking from ex-
( haustion."
"would YOU" said Mr. Lincoln, "shake hands
with me- if ] were to tell you who / amp The
response was affirmative. There should" re-
marked the young Georgian, be no enemies il
this place" Then said the distinguished visi-
tor, 81 am Abraham Lincoln, Presdeut of the
United States"
The young sufferer raised his head, looked
amazed, and freely extended his hand which Mr.
Lincoln took and pressed tenderly for some time
There followed an instructive pause. The
wounded Confederates eyes melted into tears
his lips quivered and his heart beat full. Presi-
dent Lincoln bent over him motioness and
dumb. His eyes, too, were overlooking, thu:
tgiving utterance to emotions far beyond the
power of language to describe. Perhaps he
thought of that young mans mother, his father
his sisters and brothers, who were yet uncon
scious of his sad fate. He regretted, doubtless
as did the unfortunate youth, necessities whic
had caused So much anguish whilst the suffere
yielded to these higher attributes of humanit
that overlook all former enmties. 1t was mos
touching scene Not dry eye was present.
Silence was subsequently broken by a kind
conclliatory conversation between the Presi
dent and this young Confederate when the,
parted there being but slim hopes of the latter
recovery.
In no place, and under no circumstances d,
the forgiving, the more God-like qualities ofou
nature, appearso admirable, SO redeeming, as il
these hospitals, where friend and foe, prostrateC
by wounds, lie side by side together, suffering
Iperchance, from the very injuries inflicted by
each other. When the strong man is brought
low, he forgets his strength, extending the hanC
of friendship, where, when well, and in ferc,
antagonism the same hand relentlessly deal
out slaughter and death. 1t affords a striking
commentary upon the contrast between enmity
and forgiveness--the harshness of one and th
gentleness of the other as also those qualities il
man from which they spring.