Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-10-20
Little Tad" and the Manned Soldier
From the New York Ledger.


l was in Washington the day
President Lincoln was shot. | went
to the White House in the forenoon,
with crowd of persons who were
anxious to see the President. The
large antc-room was literally crowd
ed with officers and civilians,
Judges, Senators and members of
Congress, soldiers and citizens,
waiting for an interview. There
were no seats in the room, and men
passed the weary hours III standing
as best they could.
Those who passed up to the
Presidents room that morning saw
standing, near the foot Of the stairs,
a manned soldier. He appeared
stricken with poverty and sorrow.
His uniform was soiled and torn.
He had but one leg, and looked
friendless and torsaken. He said
nothing. No one spoke to him, but
even the young, vigorous and hope
ful cast a look on the tattered boy
in blue, evidently anxious, and yet
afraid to mount the stairs. He had
some message that lay heavy on his
heart, some great boon to ask at
the hands of the President. Push
ed aside, like the poor man at the
pool, he had no friends at the court,
and no influential arm to lead him
up. He maintained his position
through most Of the forenoon, stand
ing wcarily on his crutchcs, for
there was no place to sit, and he
eyed the throng as they drifted up
and down the Presidential stairs.
About eleven o'clock, "little Tad,"
the Presidents son, entered the
crowded ante-room, leading the
MANNED soldier, whom he had pick
ed up below. The soldier paused
on the threshold in dismay. lie
seemed appalled, at the sight before
him. Generals, Judges and Sena-
tors were waiting for an audience,
and what could he hope in such
crowd? Shame seemed to mantle
his face like vail when he looked
at his tattered, untidy garb among
the grand persons that surrounded
him. Not SO his little usher. Pull
ing his companion forward, with
words Of encouragement and smiles,
he bcckoned him on till he reached
the door before which the grim
usher stood, saying to every new
conner, "The President is engaged,
sir; you must wait" The privilcg-
ed pet Of the White House was dis
gusted With the check put upon his
freedom. He insisted upon leading
the soldier directly into the pres
ence Of his father. He attempted to
force his way through, but his puny
strength could not resist the man-at-
arms. The young soldier desired
to withdraw from the contest. He
quailcd under the eyes Of a hundred
men, some of them the first Generals
Of the land. He attempted to re-
treat, but little Tad held him to his
position. He rcsorted to tactics Of
ten tried, and said never to have
failed. He screamed at the top of
his voice, "Fathcr, father, they
won't let me come in" The we'll
known voice struck the ear Of Mr..
Lincoln in the midst of his discus
sions. He arose, pen in hand, and
went to the door.
AS the well-known form appear
ed, little Tad pushed the soldier in,
and the door was closed. Taking
him aside, Mr.. Lincoln learned the
necessities Of the case. The wound
ed man told his complaints to one
who, if he heard at all, heard the
story through. AT once he granted
the request, and little Tad, with
face radiant with smiles, led the
soldier back to the stairway, gave a
loud whistle, threw up his heels,
and disappeared through the doors
Of the private library OF the Presi
dent. Shortly after, the private
secretary appeared at the door of
Mr.. Lincoln's room, and said:
"Gentlemcn, the President will
receive no more to-day"
With that proclamation Mr.. Lin
coins public levces ended. Almost
his last official act was to hear the
sad story, and afford relief to
triendless boy. That night he left
the White House, never to return!