Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-05
A Soldiers Distress.
A STORY oF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.


A Soldiers Distress.
OF PRESIDENT LrNcoLS
During the summer of the most 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 Virginia.
Hearing of his critical condition, his wife
left her Northern home, and, after much
difficulty, made her way to his bedside.
Her cheerful presence and careful nursing
so far restored him that he was in short
time able to be transferred to Washington.
In the Potomac river, the steamer in
which the invalid officer, Colonel Scott, and
his wife had taken passage, 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, Colonel Scott became separated from
his wife and she was lost. The Colonel was
picked up in the water by the crew of the
I 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 abandoned. The sad search
was fruitless. 1t was resumed in the morn
ing, the people along the shore, humane
confederates, lending their aid But the
gray sullen river refused to give up its
dead, and the young officer, half frantic
with grief, was compelled to go to Washing
ton. Within week. however, he received
word from below that the body of a lady
had been washed on shore, but those good
country people, generous foes, had secured
it, cared for it and were keeping it for him.
1t happened Just at that time imperative
orders were issued from the War Depart
ment prohibiting all intercourse with the
PENINSULA necessary precaution against
the premature disclosure of important mill
tary plans. Colonel Scott applied to Secretary
Stanton for leave to return to Virginia on
his melancholy duty.
"Impossible, Colonel" replied Mr.. Stan
ton, firmly; "no one can have leave to go
down the river at this time on any private
business whatever. Our present exigencies
demand the most stringent precautions, and
hope | need not say to you that no merely
personal considerations should be allowed to
interfere with great national interests. Your
case is sad one, but this is critical, per-
ilous, cruel time. The dead must bury their
| dead"
The Colonel would have entreated, but
the busy Secretary cut him short with
|
absolutely no appeal. He returned to his
| hotel quite overwhelmed.
Fortunately he was visited that afternoon
by friend to whom he told the story of his
unsuccessful application and perpexity, and
who Immediately exclaimed "Why not ap-
ply to the President ?"
The Colonel had but little hope, but ad-
mitting that the plan was worth trying
drove with his friend to the White House.
They were too late. 1t was Saturday
evening and Mr.. Lincoln had gone to spend
SUNDAY at Soldiers Rest, his summer re-
treat. This was but few miles from town,
aud the Coonel's indomitable friend pro.
posed that they should follow him out, and
they went.
There was then popular belief that all
the wronged, the troubled and suffering
could find refuge in Father Abraham's '
capacious bosom belief not far out of the
way Yet there were times when, overbur
dened, wearied, tortured, the patriarch longec
to clear that asylum of its forlorn inmates
to bolt and double lock it against the world
times when life became too hard and per
picking for his genial, honest nature, too Sc
rious and tragic and rascally thing by half
1t happened, unluckily, that the poor Colo
mel and his friend found the Presiden
|
moods. He was in his little private parlor
alone in the cleaning. He was loungin,
loosely in large rocking chair, jutting owe
it in all directions. His slippered feet wer
exalted, his rough head was thrown back
his long throat bare-he was in his shirt
t. sleeves. Yes, dear, fastidious English reader
it was genuine Yankee abandon-make tn
most of it,
He turned upon his visitors with look o
almost savage inquiry. There was in hi
i usually pleasant eyes, wild angry gleam-
: Il something like the glare OF worrie
: animal at bay.
Colonel Scott proceeded very modestly t
tell his story; but the President interrupte
hin to say, brusquely, go to Stanton, thi
~ is his business "
y al have been to him, Mr.. President, an
;. he will do nothing for me-"
= "You have been to him and got you
:, =, answer and still presume to come to me
Am to have no rest2 no privacy Must
y, be dogged to my last fastness and worrie
- to death by inches Mr.. Stanton has dor
:, lust right He knows what he is abou
Your demands are unreasonable"
But, Mr.. Lincoln, | thought you woul
feel for me"
T. Feel for you Good God, have to fe
ie than YOU We are at war sir don't yo
know we are at war; Sorry is the lot of al
,, bear your share like a man and soldier"
u IL try to, Mr.. President, but it seen
70 hard Ny devoted wife lost her life II
" coming to nurse me in my sickness, and
~ cannot even take her body to my children.
u "Well, she ought not to have come dow
re 10 the army. She should have staid
"a home. But If they will go tearing abo
~ the country in such times as these and ru
w ming into all sorts of dangers, they mu
10 take the consequences not but that | a
rs sorry for you, Colonel. As for your vii
Ie- she is at rest, and wish | were"
"a Saying this, the President leaned ba
I'll YEARLY in his chair and closed his eyes, n
noticing, except by slight wave OF |
~, hand, the departure of his visitors.
70, | am not ashamed to confess that q
~ hero tossed restlessly that night upon 7
~ low wet with manly tears, aud he was
~ sentful, utterly uuresigned to the DEGREES
y Providence aud the War Department, a
~ ~ that he thought Abraham Lincoln as ha
~ as he was homely and as inhuman as
-a was ungainly.
70 70 Toward morning he fell asleep and sic
H. ~ late. Before he was fully dressed the
m ne came a quick knock at the door OF
h chamber and he opened it for Preside
:. Lincoln.
w. The good man came forward, pale u
:. 's eager, tears glstening in his eyes, a
~ grasped the Colonel's hand, saying
~, ~ treated you brutally last night. | ask yo
'' pardon. | was utterly tired out, badger
to death. generally become about
nd savage as wild cat on Saturday mig
IN drained dry of the milk of human kil