The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-05-12
RecOltectiOns of President Lincoln.

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RecOltectiOns Of President Lincoln
MIR. Lanman makes public the follow
ing brief and modest biography of tn
late President, furnished for the Dictiona
ry OF Congress, at Mr.. Lanman's request
in lS5S:-
Born February II, 1909, in Harder
county. Kentucky. sEducation defective
Profession, a lawyer. Have been a cap
tam of volunteers in the Black Hawk
war. Postmaster of a very small Office
-Four times a member of the Illinois legis.
lature- And was a member of the lowe,
house Of Congress. Yours, &c,
4. LINCOLN"
Mr.. Ii. F. Carpenter, the painter of tn,
picture called the signing OF the enan.
cipation proclamation" who has spent
much time at the White House. eommu.
nicates some interesting recollections oi
the late President TO the New York Inde-
pemt."t. in anticipation of life of Mr.
Lincoln which he will write. OF Mr..
Lineoln's habit Of telling anecdotes. he
SAYS -
81 reeollect an instance told me by
one OF the most radical members of the
last Congress 1t was during the darkest
days of '62. He called upon the Presi-
dent, early one morning. just after news
of disaster. 1t was a time of great anx-
iety if not deSpondency. Mr.. Iincoln
commenced telling some trifiing incident,
which the congressman was I'm no mood 10
hear. lie rose to his feet. and said. Mr..
President, l did not come here this morn
ing TO hear stories; if Is too serious a
time Instantly the smile disappeared
from Mr.. Lincoln's face, who exclaimed.
a. sit down, l respect You as an
earnest. sincere man. You cannot 10
more anxious than i am constantly. and
| say 10 YOU now. that were if not for this
occasional vent. | should DIE"
To the same purport WAS a remark
made by Mr.. Lincoln. when he Went TO
the opera. one evening while the great
battle OF the Wilderness was in progress: /:
:. The people will wonder if they hear of
ii, but the truth is. must have a change
of some sort. OF die
Mr. Carpenter gives two touching incl
dents OF President Lincoln's kindness OF
heart -
\ poor woman from Philadelphia had
been waiting, with baby in her arms.
for three DAYS TO see the President Her
husband had furnished substitute for the
army. but some time afterward was one
day made intoxicated by some companions.
and in this state induced TO enlist. Soon
after he reached the army he deserted.
thinking that, rs he had provided sub
stitute. the government were not entitled
10 his services Returning home, he WAS.
of course, arrested. tried, convicted and
TO be shot. The sentence was
TO be executed on Saturday On Monday
his wife left her home with her habv TO
endeavor TO see the President Said old
Daniel: "She had been waiting here
three DAYS. and there was no chance for
her to yet in, Late in the afternoon of
the third day the President was going
through the back passage 10 his private
rooms, TO get cup of tea and a little
rest" (The pasSase-way has lately been
constructed, and shuts the person passing
entirely out of view of the occupants OF
the anie-room. "On his WAY through
he heard the little baby cry. He instant
ly went back TO his office and rang the
bell Daniel said he. is there wo-
man with baby in the ante-room?' |
said there was. and if he would allow me
TO say ii, thought If was case he ought
10 see; for il was 4 matter of life and
death. Said he, Send her 10 me N
once She went in. told her story. and
the President parloned her husband. A.
the woman came ont from his presence.
her eyes were lifted and her lips moving
in prayer. the tears streaming down her
checks" Said Daniel: Il went up 70
her and pulling her shawl, said, Madam.
it was the baby that did ii, -
Another touching incident occurred, ]
believe, the same week. \ woman in !;
faded shawl and hood, somewhat advanc-
cd in life, At length was admitted, in her
turn. to the President. Her husband and
three sons. all she had in the world, en-
listed. Her husband had been killed and
she had come TO ask the President TO re-
lease to her the Oldest son. Being salts
fled of the truthfulness of her story. hC
said, certainly, if 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 this son had been in a re
cent engagement, was wounded and takel
to hospital. She found the hospital
but the boy was dead, or died while sh,
was there. The surgeon in charge mad,
memorandum of the facts upon the bacl
of the Presidents order. and. almost bro
ken-hearted, the poor woman found he
way again into his presence He wa
much affected by her appearance and sto
ry and said, 81 know what YOU wish M
to do now. and shall do it without you
asking, | shall release to YOU your secon'
SON." Upon this, he took up his pen an'
commenced writing the order. While h
was writing the poor woman stood by hi
side. the tears running down her face, an'
passed her hand softly over his head