The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-02-07
JUST LIKE LINCOLN.
TweIye-Dollar Telegram and the Answer
Brought.


To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
In October, 1864, was acting as adjutant at
convalescent barracks in ST. Louis, Mo. There
were about 400 of us in the barracks awaiting
the return of the 18th corps from its pursuit of
Price ON his last raid into that State. Politics
ran high among us, and many and bitter were
the discussions between the champions of Lin
coin and Mcclellan. About one-third of the
boys were for Little Mack" the Others
strongly in favor of the reelection of " Uncle
Abe" Nearly all the Western States were
represented in the barracks. About 100 of us
were Illinois men, which State, owing to its
Copperhead Legislature of the previous year,
did not at that time permit its soldiers to vote
while in the field or away from home. Most
of the loyal States had made provision for their
soldiers TO vote in the field in all general cleo
tions, whether at the front or IN hospital As
the day of election drew near the anxiety OF
the boys y to exercise the rights of freemen y
became most intense. Rebels and rebel SYM
pathZers had spread abroad among the soldiers
the report that the Mcclellan men would not
be furloughed home to vote against " Old Abe"
but orders were issued by the President to fur
Tough as many belonging to States refus-
ing their soldiers vote away from home as
the good of the service would warrant, for such
length of time as would be necessary to return
home, vote. and get back to their commands.
In compliance with this order many thousands
were allowed to go home and yote-vote as
they pleased-without fear or hope of reward
from their superior officers. All were treated
alike whether Republicans or Democrats The
result was that many soldiers who had in
tended voting for Little Mack if they got a
chance voted for Uncle Abe" because he had
given them the opportunity of voting against
him-such are the perversities and contradic-
lions of human naturel Second Lieutenant
Chapman of company G. Of my regiment, was
in IF pur lfa-r ari-c and Whom
began to look around for chance TO go home
to vote no one could be found who commanded
him lower in rank than the department COM
mander, who was several hundred miles away
in the field after Price, where it was impossible
to get an order from him for furioughs. His
acknowledgement at st. louis decided that he
could do nothing in the matter, and told US
that he had telegraphed to the Secretary of
War, and could get no reply. and said nothing
further could be done, and we must give it mp.
COUP D'ETAT
But, having heard many stories showing Mr..
Lincolns kindness of heart for the boys J"
and his disregard for red tape. it was suggested
! to the lieutenant that we telegraph direct to
the President, stating our case briefly and ask
ing him to authorize the lieutenant to give US
/ the much coveted furlonghs-the illinois men
| for five days, and those from more distant
| States for ten days-and at the expiration Of
/ the time to report to their commands. This
1 suggestion was not received with any favor
! except by the lieutenant and few OF the more
sanguine believers in Uncle Abe" However,
wrote out the dispatch and read 1T to the
assembled crowd of anxious ones. The Lincoln
men said it was useless to send it, as che Presi-
! dent would not notice it unless it came through
| the regular channels The Mcclellan men
said they knew they would not be furloughed,
! anyway, even if the others were, and that they
would go to no trouble about it; but just
wait till they did get q chance, and then they
would show the Abolitionists whether they
could run things as they pleased or not, and
| whether white man wasn't as good as mig
/ ger!o After a long discussion in which the
lieutenant and / assured them that all should
be treated alike, regardless of politics, it was
decided to send man to the telegraph office,
three miles away, with the dispatch ! had
| written, and find out what it would cost to
send it to Washington. The man returned
with the astounding information that it would
cost twelve dollars AS none of us had been
| paid off for several months and were strapped,
the raising of such large amount proved a very
serious undertaking; but finally this sum was
made up and the dispatch sent to the President.
/ Next evening an answer came, signed by the
1 President, directing Lieutenant Chapman to
furlough the men, as requested in our message.
Great was the rejoicing when this was read to
the men. Three cheers and tiger were given
with vim. | assure you, for Old Abe" the
Mcclellan men outvicng the Lincoln men, il
possible, in their demonstrations of delight at
the good news. Nearly all the Mcclellan men
declared that they would never vote against
"Uncle Abe" and, SO far as / could learn, not
one of them did.
Military martinets will say that Lincoln did
wrong in thus ignoring the rules of the serv-
ice" and interfering with matters that be-
longed to his subordinates, and that such
interference is destructive of necessary mill
tary discipline But the noble heart of Lin
coin never failed to respond to the demands o.
right and Justice, and in way that Away;
benefited the cause of the Union instead Of
injnring it. He was far wiser than any of his
generals, and knew better than they how te
reach the hearts of his soldiers because hi:
own generous heart was always concerned fol-
the rights, the needs. the priyations, and the
sorrows Of "those who bore the burden of thu
battle" that !" {. government of the people by
the people and for the people should not perisl
from the EARTH" THos. J. STEVENS,
i LIST Serg't, Co. B, led III. I'M. Vols.
J WARREN, MINI.