Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-25
B. HARDIN HELM.
ANINrEsgsrlNe STORY OF THE WAR
BETWEEN THE STATES.
I.incoIu's Brotherin-Law Declined the
once OF raymaster to Enter the
Service Of tho confoderacy.
Washington po.ll

Among the important post-ofiices Just
filed. and which come under the class
j called presidential appointments. Is that
# Flizabothtown, Ky. -Four years ago Mr..
cleveland nominated for this position
Emily Todd Helm Che youngest sister of
1 Mary Todd Lincolu, who was the wife OF
Abraham Iiueoln), widow of General Ben
;,nin Hardin Helm. Confederate States
,-ne. who died az the head of his brigade
q. Cbickamauea. President Harrison on
dav reappolnted her for another term,
4 lrlpite q spirited olamor for the place.
The story of President Lincoln's Con-
Tolerate brOtheT-in-law Is ono Of the most
,rfe-cSting and pathetic in all our war bis
tery. which Is full Of the pathos Of friend
aims broken and divided lives.
1bs two were devotedly attached TO one
another; their friendship was like that of
lnyd and Jonathan
Ran. Hardin Helm was born in 1881. His
4 f.,hcr. ZION. John l.. Helm, was a promi-
,soi LAWYER and politician Che was once
i Governor Of the State) IN Central Ken
,-rEy lie married the second daughter
n ~ one Of Kentuckys most eminent jurists,
Il Tap Hardin. In 1Si7 his son, named for
Il b. maternal grandfather. was sent TO West
n Point Every one who knew him loved the
Il r-.ve. ou.htful, studiCus young Ken
t-r.-gu. who seemed mature above his
q ,ar,. he graduated ninth in 1851, and
Il ans assigned 10 the Second Dragons. He
..y remained IN the service a year, and
n trep resigned 10 enter upon the practice
81 law. In 1855 young Helm was known
Il a. a rising Young lawyer all over the
n sat. lie was elected 10 the Legislature
"A t,at YEAR. and made a creditable member.
II H. IS53 he married Miss Todd, and year
4 thereafter made o visit TO Illinois, where
n / -. 61., met his brother in-law, Abraham
Il ;rrolu They formed then and there O
4 5r,plship. which was more like the afec-
ii ..r Of brothers than an ordinary liking
q 'stUosn men. Helm fully appreciated the
n Kindly nature, the quaint wit and force OF
II ,pra-,ion # Abraham Lincoln, while the
Il .1.r formed a deep attachment for the
n a1gh-ful, scholarly, handsome, and
"a r5H,l.i grandson of old Ben. Hardin.
n hose son lhe died at Buena Vista as a
II 1,'d officer Of oneof the Illinois regiments
FL Tho Mexican war; had been the contem-
II 1r41y aud friend of Lincoln years before.
THINK oyER IT BY YOURSELF.
81 Whom Mr.. Lincoln became President one
81 If t,, first thoughts was What shall do,
81 ,a1f rs- 1 DO for Ben Heinz" IL must
b ,s ie.u about the middle of April, 1861,
n vh.n. id response 20 n cordial personal let
"A az invitation, Helm came to Washing
# ION Jvsit his brOther-in-law. He was q
"A 81 %, Southern-Rights Democrat and
Il s...ual friend and follower OF John G.
II rscAIuridge. He did not doubt the good
n attentions Of his brOther-inlaw, hr. Lin
4 ,.'n. rar his desire for peace but he read
81 he signs of the times Alright, and felt that
81 ,y.nt- and destiny would be too strong for
.rv man. Helm fully appreciated the mag
i ,gl. Of the task before Mr.. Lincoln.
4 While here he saw a good deal of hrs old
4 army comrades, and they were nearly all
+
Mr. Lincoln called Helm into his private
..Hc- and handing him q sealed envelope,
Zen. here is something for you. Think
II over by yourself, and let me know what
YOU viii do"
Going to his room Helm opened the en-
,.'oye. IL contained his nomination to be
pymaster in tho United States army, with
4 Ill. rank OF major. Nothing IN his llte ever
4 Touched Helm like this. He knew the po-
i nfi0n was one If the most coveted IN the
service: that the rank of major at his age
tuIty) was very exceptional IN any army;
II that he could exchange into the llne%lth
.ry old major, and that w. S. Harvey, Al
l.1t Sidney Johnston, r. b. Marcy, and
Tiers had found the pay-corps an honora-
Z h. stepping-stone to higher rank In the
line or the staff of the army. In common
with all graduates of the Military Academy
ONE time in their lives Helm had a strong
'esire 10 get back into the military service.
iere was his opportunity-ac chance bright
a. than he had ever dreamed of. What
should he do!
i MAT YOUR CONSCIENCE AND HONOR BID YOU.
~. happened that very afternoon 10
meet Colonel Robert E. Lee, Just pro-
\ noted TO the command of the First caval-
II ry with whom he had some acquaintance.
H 4 was one of those perfect spring DAYS
ell IN "a a trees
4 were coming Into leaf, and the white plum,
cherry. and pear blooms contrasted with
ar faint, delicate pink OF the apple bios
.u,.
Are YOU not well, Colonel Lee ?" said
4 Helm seeing he was under strong emotion
O.. some kind. Well In BODY, but not IN
i mind" responded the stately Nirglnlan:
Nrl,oked the soldier and gentleman OF
long lineage that he was.
\ II have Just resigned my commission IN |
tle imtcd States army" Lee continued. |
"ln the prime Of life | Quit service |
wherein were all my expectations and |
l'pe<l m this world"
4 Holm handed the letter offering him the |
position Of major and paymaster with |
rank from that date 10 Colonel Lee, who |
lead ., without a word.
Did YOU know that Mr.. Lincoln was |
n ms brJjher-in-law? SAID Helm.
No. did not" said Colonel Lee but |
Il et rne say one word. | have no doubt of |
DIS IIncolu'sl kindly intentions; But he |
.l,u.' control the elements. There must |
tr great war. / cannot strike at my own |
people, So to-day wrote out my resigna- |
jon. and have asked General Scott as q Ia |
4 ,ui i.r It5lmmediate acceptance. My mind |
is r.u much disturbed 20 give you any adj
vice. lat DO what your conscience ana |
honor bids. GOpd-by."
NuI they parted, never TO meet again |
oa ,arb.
BEYOND Ny MOST HOPEFUL DREAM.
4 ltisuo wonder that Helm slept but lit
DE- That night or the one following. MIR. |
Lincoln SAID not word TO him. and his /
0..e d.i not know of Mr.. Lincoln's offer
o. lrr husband,
Helm was ambitions. He felt that with |
opportunity 20 him might come great repu-
l'.oA. He knew that Lincoln would need /
urging 10 advance him wherever II was
i1s>.hIe and proper TO do so. Mrs. Helm
/ Na, DESTROYS Of going abroad. She de
.tci i.r her husband some diplomatic po-
ou that would give them an opportunity
\ %. seeing Europe and living in good So
/ 'riy. There Is no doubt that Alr. Lincoln
i W.p.i have given Helm almost anything
4 a A'- s.it 10 have kept him from going
/ $ g'u.
sumter had been fred upon, and the
4 iis' call tor $4,000 was made. " Will go
BONE said Helm, 70 the President, land
answer YOU there. The position you offer
H' U.s. beyond what had expected IN my
A,gsI hopeful dream. ii is the place above
@. others which suits me.
Lincoln said Helm with a tremulous
voice, YOU have been kind and generous
1' NE beyond anything haze known. |
nave no claim upon YOU, for l opposed
your candidacy. and did what / could for
i-g election Of another, but with unkind
feeling toward You. wish could see my
Nay. VII try 10 do what is right. Don't
.7' tts oder be made public yet You
'-tI have my answer in a very few days
Hcuerd Helm told a very dear friend all
VIZ and added that be could have had the
commission OF brigadier-general OF vol
uh'eers IN the three months service, re-
.-,ins his rank in the regular army as ma
never had such struggle said Gen.
va helm long afterwards. The ideal
.aIeef was before me. The highest posi-
IONS IN the profession was educated tor
were openedto me in one day. would
AJl only be the Youngest officer of nv rank