Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-10
SAVED AT THE LAST MOMENT.
A Story OF the War and President Lin
coin Told by Detective Carter.

Wzzzzn ELECTIVE CARTER tells Q story of
"a Va the saving Of his brother-in-law's life
N during the rebellion. The person
vi whose life was spared was Charles H.
60 Scott, who has since died. SIN 1860,
when Scott was still boy" said the detective
to STAR reporter, ''he was learning black
smithing at q little place called Anandale, in
Fairfax county Va. He became dissatisfied
| with his country home and workshop and en-
listed in the Union army. He was with Gen.
Twlggs in Texas when the latter surrendered
his small army to the opposing forces and him
self joined their forces. Young Scott refused
to 60 with the enemy and was consequently
made prisoner. He was afterward exchanged
when Gen. Banks was on the Red river. Scott
fought calamity in the battles in which he par
ticipated. and was afterward transferred to the
eighth regulars Under the command of Gen.
Mcclellan he served in the Peninsular cam
paign and took part in many battles. Having
part of 1864 to Johnson's Island, N. Y, with
rebel prisoners
ARRESTED AS DEsERTER
''While in New York he managed to get sepa-
rated from his comrades, and instead of going
to Johnson's Island he got under the influence
OF liquor. Some days afterward he was ar
rested in New York city as q deserter. and as
| such was sent to Governors Island. He had
not been there long before he was tried by
court-martial and sentenced to be shot.
Although under sentence of DEATH" con-
| tinued Detective Carter, Il continued to re-
ce1ve letters from him, but he did not even IN
| innate where he was, and l, of course, was
under the impression that he was still doing
regular duty, until one Saturday night, when
| received letter from him in which he stated
his case and asked me to do what 1 could for
him. He asked me to see President Lincoln
| and plead for his life. l went out in search of
| some one who could get an audience with the
| President, and 1 met John H. Semmes, who was
then running for mayor. 1 stated to him the
case of my brother-in- law Scott and asked him
| to do what he could.
Certainly, was his reply, and together we
went to the National Hotel, where we met SEN
ator j. H. Lane, who was an intimate friend Of
| the mayoralty candidate. The Senator was on
his way to the sick chamber Of friend, but he
agreed to go to the White House and intercede
In behalf of the condemned man.
VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
at was then after 8 o'clock Saturday night
and Scott was to be shot ON the following Mon
day morning. called carriage and in few
minutes We reached the White House. The
Senator's card was at once honored and we
were admitted. There was New York delega-
ton occupying the Presidents attention at the
| time. President Lincoln was just finishing a
a good laugh, as though they enjoyed the Presi-
dents story.
when the Senator approached the Presi.
| dent the New Workers stepped back and Mr..
Semmes and were introduced. / related the
| story of my brother-in-laws arrest and SEN
| tence. After brief conversation the Presi-
dent had telegram sent to Gen. Dix, who was
then in command in New York, instructing him
not to enforce the sentence until the papers
had been forwarded to Washington for eXami-
| nation, and, added the President, I'll assure
| you that the young man will not be shot
| unless he deserted in the face of the enemy
SAVED AT THE LAST MOMENT.
"At the direction Of the President Mr..
Semmes and myself returned to the Executive
Mansion the following day. which was Sunday.
While we were waiting to see the President
Secretary Stanton passed through the room
| and in couple of minutes the President sent
| for US. The President had q dispatch in his
| hand, which he had received from Gen. Dix
| stating that under general order all persons
| in confinement charged with military offenses
were entitled to discharge, and that Scott came
under that order. The President feelingly as
| sured us that in any case he would have spared
Scott's life, as he had done gallant service and
| had not deserted when mis- services we're most
needed. Scott afterward re-enlisted and few
years ago he died at Little Rock, Ark. still
| have the dispatch" concluded Detective Car
| ter, (Which was received by President Lincoln
from Gen. Dix"