The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-01-10
A WAR "REMINISCENCES

My attention has been cdlleu TO Ine
account recently gwen IN your paper OF
the kindness of President Lincoln dur
ing the civil war to Virginia girl who
asked for pass that she might go to
see her brother, a Federal prisoner at
the time.
The above brings wildly to my mind
an incident which occurred in my pres
ence, in his room, in October, 1864.
During that month it had been my priYi-
lege to visit for a few weeks the Armies
of the James and the Potomac. Upon
leaving City Point for Boston | deter
mined to go by the way of Washington,
being specially desirous for an opportu-
nifty to see the beloved President Lin
con. Soon after reaching Washington
| went to the White House, when, with
others, | was passed into his room.
Instead of taking my regular turn to
speak with him, | took occasion to
stand one side for awhile that | might
observe his manner of dealing with the
various committees and individuals who
called upon business, and also those whd
were, like myself, mere visitors.
As committees presented their bust
ness, written or verbally, his courtesy
and promptness were very marked
With some he would consider the mat
ter presented, to others,h he would mere
ly remark, in substance, lit is not mt
you should consult, younshould see Sec
retary Stanton" (or Seward or Wells
and others named)-to these he wOulC
most courteOusly refer them.
In the midst Of this press of otficia
business noticed standing in line sad
detected. humbly dressed woman will
little babe in ner arms. The though
came to me, Il wonder what favor sht
may have to ask of President Lincoln,
and was also desirous to observe how hi
would receive aud treat this poor woman
and her little one.
As she reached his desk he looked NJ
pleasantly and with gentle voice ant
speech he said, And now, my gOoC
lady, what would you lke?"
Sne told him her story in simple
way, of her home in the South. her de
sire to be pass d through the Unlol
lines; to all of which Mr.. Lincoln listen
ed most attentiyely, looking into he
face all the time, and then said, IN,
dear woman, you certainly can do NJ
harm. | zee no reason why you ant
your little one should not be allowed tt
go to your home, and | will see tina
YOU have pass" He then wrote a few
lines, called an attendant, and, bidding
her good bye, directed him to take tn
mother and child to the proper depart
ment, where she should receive the pas
he had so pleasantly promised her. Al
she thanked him feT-his kindness he
face was changed from that of sadnes
to one of joy, and as she left his pres
ence felt sure that from her heart
prayer of gratitude was breathed ou
for the kind treatment she had received
from that noole man, our dearly below
ed President Lincoln.
And let me add never shall forge
that half hour and more passed in th
presence Of Mr.. Lincoln. had with M
an open letter, given me by the Hon
Alex. II. Rice just before l left Bostol
for my visit South When presenting
nv card to President Lincoln | handed
him Mr. Rice's letter which he carefully
read. After some pleasant expression
Of his regard for Mr.. Rice, and whel
bv that letter and from myself he learn
ed that had been for few weeks a
the South, he cordially invited me I,
axe a seat by his side, and then ques.
toned me freely regarding several mat
ters which had come within my eXDer'
)Ience and observation as civilian a
the South.
Among the many pleasant experience
of my life which memory calls up a
times, one which shall never forge
was my interview with President Lin
coin (only within few months of hi
ASSASSINATION, and his kind and sympa
thetic treatment of that poor Southern
woman and her little babe.-W. II. B.
IN Boston Journal.