The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-02-23
CHAPTER XVII.
REPORTING TO SECRETARY STANTON AND
PRESIDENT LINCOLN.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
I have forgotten almost everything that
took place on this homeward voyage, if,
indeed, my mind was not too nearly in the
condition of a waking dream to receive
definite impressions. I saw some of the
great gunboats as we drew near the
mouth of James river, which looked like
grim sentinels guarding the avenue to re-
belliOn. We were furnished comfortable
blankets, and when tired out, as much by
unwonted emotions as by physical effort,
we could lie down and slumber at our
Will
We arrived in Washington late in the
afternoon-I know not Of what day, but
presume it was the day after leaving
Richmond, which would be Thursday,
March 10. made no memoranda at this
time, such as had not failed to keep dur
ing the darkest parts of our history. In
my own experience joy was more over
towering than sorrow.
After supper we took our proposed
walk, But once outside in the dark
street, with no place to go, no money to
buy anything and nobody to care for us,
it began to seem rather lonely. We had
been objects of so much solicitude for so
long that we could scarcely help feeling
little neglected now that nobody prevent
ed US from wandering in any direction we
chose. Beside, we were not yet provided
would have to be filed before our wants
in that direction could be supplied; and
the air was chilly. After wandering aim
lessly for few squares, looking in at the
shop windows and staring at the great
buildings, we turned and were soon back
in the barracks. The room, which was
well warmed, seemed very coy. It was
easy to consider the sentinels at the door
as placed there to guard us from an enc
my, a view of the case which greatly
pleased the TennesseeanS. / really think
we slept better than we would have done
If at a first class hotel.
The next day, as had expected, all re-
strictionS were removed from the other
members of the party; but we were in.
vited to make our home at the barracks,
receiving regular soldiers rations, as long
as convenient.
We did not remain long. A wealthy
and patriotic lady, Mrs. Fales, had fitted
up a pavilion in her yard in excellent
style and kept it filed with convaIescents
from army hospitals, to whom she gave
the attendance and most of the comforts
of home life. Hearing our story, she ap-
piled to the Ohio state agent, Mr.. J. G.
Wetmore. 20 secure Us as dodgers. He
visited us and carried the invitation,
which we gratefully accepted. Here we
lived in fine style, with all a soldiers
comforts, and excellent company. We
had now received a suit of army blue and
made a bonfire of our Confederate rags;
SO that we were little less afraid of lady
visitors. Our hostess made an evening
reception for US, where there was an
abundance of ice cream and cake-which
did not remind rs of anything in Dixie
and had the privilege Of telling our story
to many sympathizing ladies. Having
very comfortable ambulance always at
| command-the property OF our kind
friend, and kept with a driver for the use
of her soldiers-we were able to visit the
places of interest in Washington with
| great comfort. OF this privilege we freely
awaited ourselves when business per
| mitted-
On one of these occasions when we were
at the Smithsonian institution, I saw tall
man Of striking appearance, and at once
said to my comrades, ''That is President
Lincoln" But they were incredulous-
They had read in southern papers that he
never stirred out of the White House
without a heavy guard, and at once they
| said, ''You are trying to deceive us; don't
| you see there is no guard here2" was q
| little puzzled by the absence OF the guard
myself, for had believed the story, and
there were only one or two Williams with
him; but had seen Lincoln, who could
not easily be forgotten. said, Come
up nd let us speak to himr' A little re-
luctantly they advanced, and when we
| were near enough said, ttCan you tell US
the name of this animalr' pointing TO the
skeleton of the geologic monster he was
looking at. He smiled in his kind, sad
way and answered, ''That's its name
written on that card; but won't under
take to pronounce it. don't know much
about such things" One or two remarks
were exchanged on indifferent topics and
then we parted. When at a safe distance
Buffum said, 'fPittenger, you can't play
| such a Joke on US as to make us believe
! that 8 man who Will speak to common
! folks in that on hand way is President
, Iincolnr' But only replied, "Wen &C
; and see him at the White House soon and
! then you can judge"
The first Sunday of our stay In Wash
: inrton we gladly accepted the invitation
of our kind hostess to accompany her Il
the Baptist church. Of which she was