The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-05-26
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING,

me incidentally by one OF the servants. a
poor woman from Philadelphia had been
waiting, with baby in her arms, for three
days, to see tho President. Her husband had
furnished substitute for the army, but some
time afterwards was one day made intoxicat-
cd by some companions, and in this state in
duced to enlist. Soon after he reached the
army he deserted thinking that, as he had
provided substitute, the Government was
not entitled to hls services. Returning home,
he was. Of course, arrested, tried, convicted.
and sentenced to be shot. The sentence was
to be executed on Saturday. On Monday
his wife left her home with her baby, to en-.
deavor to see the President, Said old Dan
iel:-.She had been waiting hero three days,
and there was no chance for her to get in.
Late in the afternoon of the third day the
President was going through tho back pass
age to his private rooms, to get q cup Of tea,
or take some rest" (rhis passage way has
lately been constructed, and shuts the person
passing entirely out OF view of the occupants
Of the ante.room.) "On his way through
he heard little baby cry. He instantly
went back to his Office and rang the bell.
Daniel said he, lis there woman with
baby in .he ante.room p said there was.
and il he would allow ms to say it, I thought
it was n case he ought to see for it was a
matter Of life and death. Said he' Send
her to me at once She went in, told her
story, and tho President pardoned her hus.
band. As the woman came out from his
presence. her eyes were lifted and her lips
moving in prayer, tho tears streaming down
her cheeks" Said Daniels went up to
her and pulling her shawl said, MADAME, it
was the baby that did 1t ="
TOUCHING INCIDENT.
Another touching incident occurred, he
lieve. the same week. woman in faded
shawland hood, somewhat advanced in life,
at length was admitted, in ber turn, to the
President. Her husband and three sons. all
she had IN the world, enlisted. Her husband
had been killed and she had come to ask the
President to release to her the Oldest son.
Being satisfied of the truthfulness OF her
story he said, Certainly, it her prop was
taken away she was justly entitled to one of
her boys" He Immediately wrote an order
for the discharge Of the young man. The
poor woman thanked him very gratefully,
and went away. On reaching the army she
found that tins son had been in recent en-
gagement. was wounded, and taken to an
hospital. She found the hospital, but the
boy was dead, or died while she was there.
The surgeon in charge made memorandum
OF the facts upon the back Of the Presidents
order, and, almost broken hearted, the poor
woman found her way again into his pres.
ence.
He was much affected by her appearance
and story, and said, al know what you wish
me to do now, and shall do il without your
asking; shall release to you your second
son." Upon this he took up his pen and
commenced writing. The poor woman stood
by his side, the tears running down her face.
and passed her hands softly over his head.
stroking his rough hair as have seen fond
mother do to son. BY the time he had
finished writing, his own heart and eyes were
full. lie handed her the paper. "Now,"
said he, "you have ono and one of the 9TH
cr two left; that is no more than right"
She took the paper. and reverently placing
her hand ngnin upon his head, the tears still
upon her cheeks, said, "tho Lord bless yon.
Mr.. President. May you live thousand
years. and may you always be the head Of
this great nation!"