Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-01-03
VOL. 12.--N0. II.
a Story Of our late President.

The annexed, another evidence ofthe kind
heart of our late President, Mr.. Lincoln,
we take from the Indepeadent:
On the Monday before. his death, when
our late beloved President was on his return
from Richmond, he stopped at City Point.
Calling upon the head surgeon at that place,
Mr. Lincoln told him that he wished 10 visit
ali the hospitals under discharge, and shake
hands with every soldier The surgeon ask
ed the President if he knew wha, a task he
was undertaking, and told him that there
Were then between FIVE and six thousand
soldiers at that place, and 1t would be quite
ajax upon his strength TO visit all the wards
and shake hands with every soldier. Mr..
Lincoln answered, with a scile, that he
guessed he was equal 10 the task at any
rate he would try, and go rs far as he could,
he shoald never probably see the boys again,
and he wanted them TO know that he ap-
preciated Wha, they had dene for their coun-
Try.
Finding it useless to try TO dissuade him,
the surgeon began to make his rounds with
the President, who walked from bed to bed,
extending his hand to all, saying q few
words OF sympathy TO some, making kind
inquiries OF others, and welcomed by all
with the heartiest cordiality As they pass
ed along they came to ward In which
lay REBEL who had been wounded, and was
a prisoner, As the tall figure OF the kindly
visitor appeared in sight, he was recognized
By the rebel soldier, who, raising himself
on his elbow In bea, watched Mr.. Lincoln
as he approached, and extending his hand.
exclaimed, While tears ran down his cheeks
Mr. Lincoln, [ lave long wanted to see
You, to ask your forgiveness for eTer raising
my hand against the old fag Dir. Lin
coin vas moved 20 tears He heartily shook
She hand ef the repentant rebel, aud assur-
ed him o! his good wiil, and. with a few
some hours the tour OF the various hospitals
was made. and Mr. Lincoln returned with
thgsurgeon to his Office. they had scarce
y entered, however; when 4 messenger
came, saying that one wari had been omit
ted, and 'the boys" wanted 70 sees Mr..
Lincoln. The surgeon, who wastboroughly
tired, and kneg Mr. Lincoln must be, tried
to dissuade nun from going but the good
man said he must 90 back ], he would not
knowingly omit one; the boys would be
So disappointed. SO he went with the mes
senger, aeon, panied by the surgeon, and
shoJk hands Wlth the gCalded soldiers, and
then returned again to the Office. The sur
geon expressed the fear thai MT. Lirco!n's
arm would be laned with so much hand
shaking, SAYING that it certainly must ache
Mr Lincoln smiled, and, saying something
about his strong muscles, stepped cut az
the open door, took up very large heavy
axe, which lay there by log of wood. and
chopped vigorously for a few moments, send
ing the chips flying in al directions and
then, panstug, be extended his right arm
to It's full length holding the axe out hori-
zontally, without its even quivering as he
held it. Strong men, who looked on-meu
accustomed to manual labor-could not hold
the same axe in that position for a rnoineut
Recurring to the Office, he took a glass of
lemonade, for he would take no stronger
beverage and while he was within. the
chips he had chopped were gathered up and
safely cared for by q hospital steward, be
Cause they were ','he chips thar Father
Abraham chopped. Ina few hours more
the. beloved President was at home in Wash
ingson; in few days more he had passed
away, and bereaved nation Tasi mourn
iar.