National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-09-17
-AbrdH0m Lincoln.
A New and True story of The
Late President.

disastrous and doubtful year of the
late American war, the colonel of
New Hampshire regiment lay for
some weeks extremely i'll of camp
fever, near Hampton Roads in Nir.
ginia. Hearing OF his critical con-
diton, his wife left her northern
home, aud, after much difficulty,
made her way to his bedside. Her
cheerful presence and careful nurs> |
ing so far restored him that he was
in short time to be transferred to
Washington.
In the Potomac river the steamer
in which the invalid officer, Col.
Scott. and his wife had taken pass
age, was sunk, in collision with
larger vessel, in the night time.
The crew and nearly all the soldiers
on board were rescued or saved
themselves but amid the horrible
confusion of the scene, Col. Scott
became separated from his wife, and
she was lost. The Colonel was
picked up in the water by the crew
of the larger steamer,and under his
direction every effort was made to
discover his wife, or rather her body.
for all hope Of finding her alive was
soon abandoned. The sad search
was fruitleSs; 1t was resumed in the
morning, the people along the shore.
humane contederateS, lending Their
aid. But the gray sullen river re-
fused to give up its dead, and the
Young otlicer,hal frantic with grief.
was compelled to 60 to Washington.
Within a week ,however,he received
word from below that the body OF
the lady had been washed on shore,
that those good country people,
generous foes, had secured it, cared
for it, and were keeping it for him.
1t happened that jest at that time
: imperative orders were issued from
the war department, ,torbidGing all IN
tercourSe with the peniuSula--a ne
ccssary precaution against prema
ture disclosure of important militia
~ plans SO it was with some mis-
n givings that Col. Scott applied t'
y Mr.. Secretary Stanton for leave t'
- return to Virginia on his melanchol,
duty.
Impossible Colonel replied Nh
- stanton firmly: no one can hay
leave 10 90 down the river, a
this time. on any private mlsSlo
whatever. Our present cNigencle
X. demand the most stringent regulf
lie tionS and hope need not to Sa
- to you that no merely personal col
SidcrationS ST. Ould be allowed to i'll
terfere with great national Interests
Your case is "A sad one but this
= a critical, perilous, cruel time. 9Th
dead must bury their dead
The colonel would have entrcatet
ITS but the busy secretary cut him sho
- with another 'imposslble,' iro1
which there was no absolute appea
W, He went forth from the preSenc
10" and returned to his hotel, quite ove
whelmcd.
Fortunately, he was that atte
noon visited by a friend to whom
told the story of his IN ucccsst
application and sad perpl, kitty, al
who Immediately exclaimed, 'Wl
p not apply to the President"
- The colonel had but little hol
ors but acknowledging that the p!
,ci. was worth irving, drove with !
ling friend TO the White House.
'' They were too late. 1t was -
I'VE urday evening, and Mr.. Lincoln h
- gone TO spend Sunday at Soldle
Rest, his summer retreat. This "
3. but a few miles from town, ana
coloncrs indomitabe friend pl
posed that they should follow h
ont, and they went.
There was then popular be-
that all the wrongcd, troubled, a
sc, suffering could find refuge III i
and ther Abrham's' capaclouS bosom
belief that was not far out OF
. way. Yet there were times WI
oyerburdened, wearied, tortured,
II. patriarch longcd to clear that 4
ium of its forlorn inmates, to
and bar and double.lock it agal
the world; times when life beca
too hard and pcrpleXing for
40. genial. honest nature; too seri'
i,hiu and tragic and rascally thing
r the half.
1t happened, unluckily, that
ord, ,oar no,pno, I and his friend found
'''"' President in one of his most
!, on pondcnt and disgustcd moods.
Sep was in his little private parlor,al'
,u,. glooming. He was lounging loo
"hS "hsSr in large rocking.chair, jut'
over it III all directions. Ills
Fair. pered feet were exalted, his 70
1865 head was thrown back, his
'''' throat bear--he was in his $
ter sleeves. Yes dear iastidlons l
lish reader, it was genuine lal
abandon--makc the most OF it.
lie turned upon his visitors a
of almost savage inquiry. ]
was. indeed, in his usual plea
work work eyes q wild, angry gleam--a 81
thing like the glare of wol
animal at bay.
rd, w. Col. Scott proceeded very mod
TO tell his story; but the Prcsl
interrupted him to say hrusq
4" Go TO stanton this is his BUSH
NH Il have been to him Mr.. Prcsi
and he will do nothing for me-
.You have been 10 him an'
'ro' " your answer, and still presul
d" come to me Am ] to have 10
-. ...!...... Nuat I hn lpUu