The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-01-21
LINCOLN At RICHMOND.
The Eventful Day After the
Surrender Described by
Admiral Porter.
An OMEN OF THE ASSASSINATION
How the President Was Received in
the Confederate Capital After
Its Fall


President Lincoln expressed a desire
to visit the Confederate capital in the
flagship Malvern. In anticipation
of this, event, by working day and
night, l had all the distractions on
the James taken up and all the tor
pedoes removed from the river bed.
When. the river was reported clear
of torpedoes "a large number OF
which were taken up, | proceeded
up to Richmond in the Malvern,
with President Lincoln on Board,
and Notwithstanding the great care
that had been taken to clear out the
James, l felt a great responsibility
upon me.
Every vessel that got through the
obstructions wished to be the first
one up. and pushed ahead with all
steam, but they grounded one after
another, and then my vessel, which
had pessed them all, also grounded.
l took the President in my barge.
and with a tug ahead and file of
marines on board, we continued on
up to the city.
l had never been to Richmond be-
fore by that route and did not know
where the landing was neither did
the coxswain nor any of the barge's
crew. We pulled on. hoping to see
some one of whgm we could inquire,
but no one was in sight. The street
along the river front was as deserted
as if this had been a city of the dead.
The troops had been in possession
for some hours, but not a soldier
was to be seen.
The current was now rushing past
US over rocks, We conld scarcely get
ahead, and finally ran on rock.
"Send for Colonel Baily," said the
President, ''he will get you out Of
this"
"No," said /, "We don't want the
Colonel this time | can manage
it." So l backed out and pointed
for the nearest landing.
There was small house on this
landing, and behind it we're some
twelve negroes digging with spades.
The leader OF them was an old man
so years of age. He raised himself
to an upright position as We landed,
and put his hands up to his eyes.
Then he dropped his spade and
sprang forward.
LINCOLN AND A SLAVE.
"bress de Lord" he said "dere is
de great Messiah / know'd him as
soon as l seed bim. He's bin in nv
heart fo' long yeahs. an he's cum at
las TO free his chillun from deir
b0ndagel Glory hallelujah y And
he fell upon his knees before the
President and kissed his feet. The
others followed his example, and, in
a minute. Mr.. Lincoln was surround
ed by these people. who had treas
ured up the recollection of him
caught from a photograph, and had
looked up to him for four years as
the one who was to lead them out of
1t was touching sight-that aged
negro kneeling at the feet of the tall,
gaunt-looking maa, who seemed, to
himself. to be bearing all the grief of
the nation. and whose sad face seem
ed to say, II suffer for you all. but
will do all can to help you"
Mr.. Lincoln looked down ON the
poor creatures at his feet; he was
much embarrassed at his position,
Don't kneel to me-" he said.
That is not right. You must kneel
TO God only, and thank Him for the
liberty you will hereafter enjoy. 1
Inn but Gods humble instrument !
but you may rest assured that as
ong as live no one shall put q
,hackle on your limbs. and you
IL all have all the rights which God |
1as given to every other free citizen
,fthis Republic
His face was Lit up with divine
COX as he uttered these words. |
Though not handsome man, and
in his person, yet in his
he seemed the persona
icatim of manly beauty and that
'ad face of his looked down in kind |
less upon these ignorant blacks with
grace that could not be excelled.
ae really seemed of another world. |
All this scene was of brief dura-
ion, but, though a simple and hum
,le affair, it impressed me more than
of the kind I ever witness
d.
It was a minute or two before l
;ould get the negroes to rise and
cave the President The scene was
o touching / hated to disturb it,
ret we could not stay there all day ; /
ve had to move on, and l requested
be patriarch to Withdraw from
bout the President with his COM
,anions and let US pass on.
sYes, Massa,n said the old man.
but after bein' so many years in de
ek'o vor.ke~