Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-10-26
Personal Impressions and Re-
collections of Abraham Lin

coin. .... ......- .
Mr.. f. B. Carpenter, tho artist, contin-
ues his sketches Of "Rccollections Of Abra-
ham Lincoln" in the N. Y. IndepeDdant
We extract the foil owing from the last
number: 90 |H .tt.
The battle of Fair Oaks was fought May
81, 1852, or rather this is the date of the
first of the terrible seven days" continu.
Gus fighting before Richmond, when as is
now abundantly established, even hy rebel
testimony, ii would have been an easy mat
ter for Mcclellan to have captured what
proved TO be the "SebastopoP' of the re
bellion! During this week Of battles, many
of our wounded men were sent on steam
boats and transports to white House"
landing, upon the estate Of Mrs Fiiz Hugh
Ice, wife OF the rebel general A we'll
known public.spirited citizen of New York
CITY was, at this juncture, on visit TO the
army. Very i'll himself while on the pen
insula, his sympatbies we're greatly excited
for the wounded soldiers confined, during
the broiling weather, to the boats, compell-
ed to quench tho burning thirst created by
their wounds with the muddy water Of the
Pamunkey, which caused and aggravated
disease 10 fearful manner. As civilian,
be was permitted to 90 on shore, and there
found the magnificent lawns and grounds,
including one of the finest springs Of water
in the world, all under protective guard,
set over The property by order Of the com
mandng general; and, while civilians like
himself were permitted freely to drink at
the spring, the suffering soldiers were pro-
hibited from approaching it Mr.. WIS
Indignation was so greatly aroused that,
upon reaching Baltimore, on his return
home, he, with two other gentlemen, cog
infant of the facts, determined to 90 to
Washington and lay the case before the
Wal Department. Upon hearing their
statement, the Secretary OF War referred
them to Surgeon-General Hammond, say
in, that requisition from him, to the
effect that the grounds of the estate were
needed for the wounded, would be instantly
responded to by the War Depsrtmentint in the
issue of the necessary order, taking posses
sion. They Immediately waited upon the
Surgeon General, and procured the docu-
ment required, upon which Secretary Stan
ton made cut the order, saying, as he sign.
ed it: Now, gentlemen, you had better
see the President also about this matter,
and get his endorsement of the order. -
Proceeding to the Executive Monson, they
found, as usual, the waiting rooms throng
ed with visitors; but, representing to the
usher in attendance that their business was
extremely urgent, and conc ,rned the wound
ed OF the army, they were at once shown
into Mr. Lincoln's presence. 1t was late in
what had perhaps been a trying or vexa-
tious day. Very briefly, but unceremo-
In the language of Mr.. W: THE
praeidopt EetaooI to 81 a ohoSrpt ha -,
tently, saying, as the speaker concluded,
with an expression of countcnance very like
sneer: This is another raid upon Nc
Clcllaa, take itP' ''Mr. President" was
the reply, we came here to lay these facts
before you solely from a sense of duty
Had l the pawer,sir.I would take possession
Of the lawns in from, this mansion for the ben
eft of our wounded men. so many of whom
are now dying on the Pamunkey for want
of pure air and water. After the sights
witnessed upon those seven steamboats,
now lying at White House, l covet every
spot of greensward my eyes rest upon. =
What have told you Of the actual condi-
tion of things at that landing is below the
truth, as the gentlemen who accompany
me will confirm to satisfaction For myself
allow me to say, sir, that belong to that
political organization which opposed ysur
election to the Presdency-the same organ.
izatiou to which Gen. Mcclellan is presum-
ed to belong. This is no raid upon him,
or upon you. It is simple justice to the
wounded and suffering soldiers that we ask
Of you" Entirely convinced by the can
dor of this reply, Mr.. Lincoln then proceed
ed to minute questioning in regard to the
scenes they had witnessed; and when sub
sequently told that they had called at Sec
rstary Stanton's ) request, to secure his APP
proval of the ordes issued, which embraced
only the grounds and spring, mot only
thess," said he with emphasis, but the
order must include the house, and every
thing else which can in any way contribute
to the comfort Of the poor boys!" And SO
the order was made to read before it left
Washington! "
Some weeks prior to the issue Of the
Presidents message for 1868, To which was
appended, it will be remembered, the proc
lamation Of amnesty, the Hon. Robert Dale
Owen visited Washington. Calling upor
the President, one Saturday morning, ht
said to him that he desired very much t
secure an hour of his time, as he had a mat
ter, upon which he had expended consider
able thought, to lay before him. may sa.
here that it had been understood in certain
quarters that the President was contem
plating at this time the issue of an amnest
proclamation. Knowing nothing of Mr.
Owens purpose, he said to him: "Yeu Sc
how it is this morning; there are man
visitors waiting can't you come up to-moI
row morning. shall be alone then; and
if you have no scruples upon the subject
can give you as much time as you wish ?
Mr. Owen assured him of his readiness t
: come at any hour most convenient, and !
o'clock was named. Punctual to the az
: pontment, the hour found Mr.. Owen at til
house. A repeated summons at the be
brought no response, and he at engl h pusf
10 ed open the door and walked leisurely n
the stairs to the reception-room. Neitht
servant or Secretary was to be seen, Pre-
! emily Mr.. Lincoln passed through the ha
to his office, and all was still again, Loo
ing vainly for servant to anneuncc h
name, Nv Owen finally went to the ofic
door, and knocked.
Really" said he, "Mr. President, | ov
to you sn apology for coming in upon you
nc this unceremoDious way but have I
- some time been waiting the appearance
a servant" ....8 l.,...,,.j .....'. ;.
"Ob, was the good-natured reply. II
boys are all out this morning. have be