Fergus County argus., 1888-10-11
LINCOLN AND SHERIDAN.
An Eye-witness' Description Of Their Meet
ing at City Point

Opposition now being at an end, it
was deemed advisable to bring Sheri-
dan 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 i'm time to take part in
the closing scenes at Richmond and
Petersburg. To that end he left the
valley, pushing southward until he
struck the railroad and canal, both of
which were most effectually DESTROYED
for miles-the former by heating and
twisting the rails, and the latter by
blowing up locks and waste weirs, ac-
complishing his work so quickly that
he met with little resistance. A full
! report in writing MAS promptly made
toGen. Grant and forwarded 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, and
was first to reach City Point. Hewas
4 tall, wiry Nirginian. with black hair
reaching to his shoulders, dressed i'm
southern uniform. Afterdropping the
tent fly to conceal him Mr.. Lincoln
was summoned to receive from him the
report. The package consisted of some
half n dozen closely written sheets of
tissue paper wrapped in tinfoil. The
president soon discovered it was in
cipher and surrendered it remarkinp
hat he didn't believe he would be any
the wiser until it had been translated.
The scout disappeared as quietly as
he had come, and soon after Sheri-
dams report was laid before the presi-
dent, who was intensely gratiiied as he
read of the Union success. Two or
three days later Gen. Sheridan left his
cavalry at White House and rode
across the country to City Point,
where he encountered sherman in the
adjutant generals cabin describing
and pointing out on the mapto o Meade
his march across Georgia. Robert Lin
coin hastened down to he River Queen
MIR. I.ncoln's bOat) to inform the
president that Little Phil is in"
Without exercising his presidential
prerogative Mr.. Lincoln seized his hat
and FASTENED up on the bluff to Gen.
Grants headquarters camp. As soon
as he was seen approaching the adi,l-
tant generals quarters conversation
ceased, and Gen. Sheridan turned to
learn the cause Just in time to Ell
counter the president, who at that
moment strode in and without further
ceremony seized him by the hand, ex-
claiming az III did so, 'G;enerar'sneri-
dan" and then after n pause of sev-
eral seconds. during which he scr,itin-
lied Sheridan's slight figure from head
to foot, resuming-''when this war
broke out ! thought cavalryman
must be at least six feet four inches
high, l.incoln's own. Another pause
ens,led, and the handshaking and
scanning went vigorously on. Then,
resliming, he closed by hearty. good
humored burst: General Sheridan.
have changed my mind" The pre~-
dent turned on his heel and departed
Sheridan had not spoken a word, but
his blushes would have done honor to
"A maiden, and he was now relieved
from further embarrassment by Sher-
man. who resumed his story. Few
men have ever re,eived IA more SINCERE.
compliment, and fewer still, perhaps,
can lay just claim to such an honor
an honor indeed. dare say, which he
cherished through life. as this was his
last as well "a his first meeting with
Mr.. Lincoln Herald.