The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-05-06
IINCOLN'S MESSAGE.
The Heartfelt Blessing lie Sent to Genel
al Shermuu aud His Army.

9
al Shermuu aud His Army.
In relating some "reminiscences by
Col. Mackland of his employment in
the postal service in the army during
the war of the rebellion the Washing
ton correspondent of the Cleveland (O.)
Leader tells the following:
General Grant told me to 20 to
New York by way of Washington and
see if the president, secretary of war.
or General Halleck had any message to
send to General Sherman. The presi-
dent was the only one who had any
/ thing to send. When ! sent my card
| in to him he had me admitted at once.
He was sitting at his table in the large
room then occupied as the president 5
| room at the white house. which is now
/ occupied as the private secretary 5
room Several gentlemen were sitting
around the table as if in private CONVEX
/ sation. As | entered Mr. Lincoln arose
! and met me near the center of the
room. He extended his hand to me,
/ saying, We'll, Colonel, l got a message
1 from Grant telling me that YOU were
/ going to find sherman. | am sure you
/ will bring US good news, for we always
/ get good news from YOU. In this he
! doubtless had reference to the fact that
/ whenever the army moved the COM
manding officer was so confident of the
! security of his position that he estab-
/ lished postoflice. As he said this Mr.
/ Lincoln held my hand and looked me
/ intently in the eve. / shall never for
/ get the expression of his countenance
/ or the tone of his voice as he said. with
/ trembling lips, while the moisture
/ gathered in his eyes: Say to General
4 Sherman for me, whenever and wher-
ever you meet him, God bless him, and
God bless his army This is as much
[ as | can say, and more than | can
write He again shook my hand as
bade him good morning. When l
reached the door and had partially
opened it to 90 away. he called to me
from the place l had left him standing
and said. Remember, now. I say God
/ bless General Sherman, and God bless
his armyn These were the last words
l ever heard Mir. Lincoln utter, and
they were spoken in such an earnest,
! heartfelt, pathetic tone that | cannot
/ forget them. He was assassinated the
night | returned to Washington. Mr.
Lincoln was very great man. and all
l have never heard any one who had
personally come in contact with Mr..
Lincoln while he occupied the white
house that did not speak in terms of
I kindness of him. He was all kindness.
integrity, and simplicity, and his good
| common sense traits Of character were
| always loved by the masses of the peo-
pie. Fort McAllister had
been captured the evening before and
General Sherman had got on board the
flagship. As the Island City. the mail
steamer, was steaming through the Os-
sabaw Sound the signal officer spied
two vessels away off to the larboard.
Presently he said: They are signal
ing Us. 1t is the flagship. with Gener-
al Sherman on board. His practiced
eye had caught the signal when no 9TH
er man on the boat had noticed It The
signal came: General Sherman saws
come alongside. The reply went
back: All right When we got with
ing hailing distance General Sherman
called me by name. asked me how
was, and said: 4 am glad you ar,
here. As the boats neared each other
the General piled me with inquire:
about the news, friends, etc, in the
North. When / could jump on tho
deck where he stood / took his hand
and delivered him the message Mr.
Lincoln had charged me to deliver"