The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-19
LINCOLN CHANGED HIS MIND.
HIS First Meeting with Gen. Phil sherid
- IT. Dol.A

HIS First Meeting with Gen. Phil Sheridan
at City Point.
A writer who claims 70 have been an eye
witness Of the incident thus tells the story in the
Utica Herald:
Opposition now being at an end, Il was
deemed advisable to bring Sheridan at the head
of his cavalry corps around by the White House
and City point to the left flank of the army of
the Potomac in time to take part In the closing
scenes at Richmond and Petersburg. To that
end be left the valley, pushing southwark until
he struck the railroad aud canal, both of which
were most effectuslly destroyed for miles. The
former by beating and twisting the rails. and
the latter by blowing NJ locks and waste weirs.
ACCOMPLISHING hi: work so quickly that he
met with little resistance. A full report in writ
ing was promptly made to General Grant. and
for awarded by scouts, one OF whom passed
around to the south of Richmond. The second
went north, while the third passed directly
through the city OF Richmond, aud was first To
reach City Point. He was a tall, why Virgin
ian, with black hair reaching TO his shoulders,
dressed In Southern uniform. After dropping
the tent fly 10 conceal him Mr.. Lincoln was
summoned to receive from him the report. The
package consisted OF some half a dozen closely
written sheets OF tissue paper wrapped in tinfoil.
The President soon discovered it was in cipher
and surrendered it. remarking that he didn't be-
lieve he would be any the wiser until il had been
translated. The scout disappeared as quietly
as he had come. and soon after Sheridan's re-
port was laid before the President, who W as in
telsely eratihed as he read Of the Union sue
cess. Two or three days later General Sheri-
dan left his cavalry at White House and rode
across the country to City Point. where he en-
countered Sherman in the Adjutant-e generals
cabin describing and pointing out on the map to
Meade his march across Georgia. Robert Lin
coin FASTENED down 20 the River Queen (Mr.
Lincoln's boat) to inform the President that
Little Phil is ill.," Without exercising bis
presidential prerogstivs Mr.. Lincoln seized his
hat and FASTENED mp on the bluff to General
Grants headquarters camp. AS soon as be WAS
seen approaching tho Adiutant-general's quar-
tiers conversation ceased, and General Sheridan
turned to learn the cause just in time to en-
counter the President, who at that moment
strobe in and without further ceremony
seized him by the hand, exclaiming
IS be did so, General Sheridan"-and then
after 3 marked pause of several seconds, during
which he scrutinized Sheridan's slight figure
from head to foot. resuming-"when this war
broke out | thought a cavalrymsn must be at
least six feet four inches highp-Lincoln's own.
Another pause ensued, and the Handwriting and
scanning went vigorously on. Then. resuming,
he closed by a hearty, good more burst:
General Sheridan. / have changed my mind"
The President turned o. his heel and departed.
Sheridan had not spCken a worc. but his
bushes would have done honor TO a maiden,
and he was now relieved from further embar-
rassment by Shsrman. who resumed his story.
Few men ever received a more sincere compli-
ment. and fewer still. perhaps. could lay just
claims to such an honor-an honor indeed, /
dare say. which he cherished through life. as
this was bis last as we'll as his first meeting
with Mr.. Lincoln.