The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-06-26
LINCOLN'S MESSAGE.
The Heartfelt Blessing He Sent to Gcner
al Shermun and 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 90 to
New York by way Of Washington and
see II 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 largo
room then occupied as tho presidents
room at the white house, which is now
occupied as the private secretary's
room. Several gentlemen were sitting
around the table as II In private CONVEX
sation. As entered Mr.. Lincoln arose
and met me near the center of tho
room. He extended his hand to me,
saying, We'll, Colonel, I got a message
from Grant telling me that you were
going to find Sherman. l 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
handing 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 mo
intently in the eye. / 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
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 I can
write He again shook my hand as
babe him good morning. When
reached the door and had partially
opened it to 60 away, he called to me
from the place had left him standing
and said, Remember, now, say God
bless General Sherman! and God bless
his army! These were the last words
! ever heard MIR. Lincoln utter, and
they were spoken in such an earnest,
heartfelt, pathetic tone that l cannot
forget them. He was assassinated the
night ! returned to Washington. Mr..
Lincoln was very great man, and all
the greater because he did not know it.
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
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 1t. Tho
signal came: General Sherman says
cosno aiongsiuc.' The reply went
back: All right When we got with
ing hailing distance General Sherman
called me by name, asked me how I
was, and said: i am glad you are
here As the boats neared each other
the General piled me with inquiries
about the news, friends, etc., in the
North. When could jump on the
deck where he stood / took his hand
and delivered him the message Mr..
Lincoln had charged me to deliver"