Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-01-13
"A Maine w omansssHeminfsce OF the
War. Ftr
The following appears in the Portland


Gle, and read: 4" The sentence of death
recently passed by court martial uponthe
four deserters - - -
has been approved BY the President, and
Friday, the 2oth inst, has been fixed up
on for their execution"
81 would gladly have avoided that
paragraph, but my eve caught its dread
import too quickly. | cannot forget, l
thought, and it will haunt me as the time
approaches. 7 1t was then the custom, /
believe, to make military executions,
which had. not YET become common in
tie army, as impressive, that is to say,
as ghostly as possible; and, who could
imagine the awful scene. even for a mo-
ment, and hot lose all the warmth and
cheer of that glad holiday sunshine.
1t was now Wednesday, and the next
Friday was the fatal day.. About ten
o'clock a gentleman of my acquaintance
came to my room saying, there was .
woman below whose husband was sem
fenced to be shot, and couldn't I do
something to help her? The woman
was indeed there. and in great distress,
for her husband was one of the doomed
four. He had deserted, nor will | sup
press the further fact-that this was the
second time he had attempted to reioin
his family. nor the further circumstance
"a doubtful palliation that he lad
done SO while excited with drink. Even
if the soldiers misconduct had made me
indifferent to his fate-and it certainly
had moths poor wife's distress would
Fave reused my warmest sympathes.
/" l had some slight acquaintance with
one or two senators, and even with the
Vice President, but could thoy, or would
they, help me in this matter? Had not
the poor woman come to Washington q
fortnight before, and with senator to
help her.. tried in vain to get al audience
with the President. till heart and hope
had failed her? x | bethink
myself of the Presidents. private Secre-
tary, and soon gain admission to that
great man. s.. naj7te .ea 81.
Scan we see the Presidents" ~
:" He is so busy, think it doubtful"
"Our business is very urgent-a mat
ter Of life or death; do you think we can
sec him 2" s IS. -
81 cannot tell you, madam" ss.
Do you think it probable we can get
an interview, if we waltz" ltG[f
+" Madam, | cannot tell You"
"That was all the great man said,
and we left his august presence profound.
ly convinced that he was the most i'm
portant parsonage upon the premises, ex-
cept perhaps the laekey who first met us
at the door. We return TO our places 10
the waiting room, and seeing female
servantscrossing the hall, 1 asks
!" VIII you carry a card to Mrs. Lin
coln?' sa'
you cannot see her; she is SICK"
:" do not wish to see her. VIII yon
carry a card?" ~ -
1.-THE servant asserting, I pencil
few words upon a card, the purport of
which may be guessed. At length Sec
retaries = Chase, Steward and Stanton
came out, so that l know that the
Cabinet meeting was over. Aud now,
is it possible a-the usher, approaches
us.
"Have you any letters forthe Presi
dent?" n. 4.
81 hand him one--the letter Of lit
tic child, The daughter of the condemn
cd. It was the child's own thought, as
she lad written it without prompting or
aid, and while the President is reading 1t
you may do the same:
To His Ezcellency the President of tie United
States
Most honored and excellent Sir: How
shall a child like me attempt TO write to
you on such business as this concerning
my father, J. w. c., who is sentenced
Oh. Ehow can IYwrite ito be shot
Spare his poor life, beseech you, and
many thanks shall be given you. If his
life is taken, my mother cannot stand
this heavy blow, and will soon 60 also.
l am the Oldest of five children; Ehave
three sisters under eight years. Do not
leave Us fatherless. beseech you.
would freely give my life to save his.
VIRGINIA G..
."The usher soon returns, the door
that has seemed of adamant opens before
us, and with q bewildered feeling we en-.
ter. The President is sitting near g ia
BILE, and nearly facing the door, and as
he greets us politely, notice traces OF
tears upon his face. His voice, too, be-
trayssenlotion. ~ " - " BIN
Mr.. President" l said, with what
steadiness could command, "the hus-
band Of this lady, j. w. c., Twenty sew
ont hI regiment, volunteers, Isl SEN
teEced, to- be shot. as yen have learned
from the letter, and we are come to ask
you TO spare his life. !. Mems lives are get
ting TO be precious
=. | know it, but must do something
to keep those fellows, or half of them
would run away"
!. !" After some mere. cenversationiwlIich
cannot exactly recall, he said at last:
Now you women may 90 bomereom
forted. lave telegraphed for them
not to be executed until | send an or.
der, aud IIdon't inteadnto send that or.
der.
1.-THE poor woman at my side could
only weep her thanks. but / recoiec'
saying, more than once: We thank yor
a thousand times, sir" 4sl w
GtsfI l. -. IL 4