New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-29

t0 explain. but, somehow other sweet comfort
crept into my SOUL that God Almighty had taken
the whole thing into His own hands. and we were
bound 10 win at Gettysburg! No, General Sickles,
/ had no fears of Gettysburg; and that ~
the why
Mr. Lincoln said all this with great solemnity
and impresiveness. almost as Moses might have
spoken when first down from Sinai. and when he
had concluded there was pause in the talk, that
nobody seemed disposed TO break. We were all
busy with thoughts. and the President esDe-
cially appeared to be communing with the Infinite
One again. The first to speak Wac General SiclSles.
who. between the puifs OF his excellent cigar pres
emily resumed, as follows:
Well Mr. President, what are you thinking
about Vicksbnrg, nowadays? How are things
getting along down there now?"
oh" answered Mr. Lincoln very gravely. |
don't quite know Grant is still pegging away
down there, and making some headwey. believe.
As we used TO say out in Illinois. think he will
make spoon spoil horn before he gets
through. Some of our folks think him slow and
want me to remove him. But TO tell the truth.
kind of like L. :. Grant. lie doesn't worry
and bother me. lie takes what troops we can
safely give him, considering our big job all around
and we have pretty big job in this war-and
does the best he can with what me has got. and
doesn't grumble and scod all the while. YES |
confess, like General Grant-Unce Sam Grant =
dwelling humOrOusly and lovingly on this name
" There II a great deal TO him, first and last. And
heaven helping me. unless something happens more
than see now, mean 10 stand by Grant good
while yet
So. then Won have no fears about Vicksburg
either Mr.. President?' added General Sckles.
Well, no. | can't say that have replied Mr..
Lincoln, very soberly; the fact is-but don't say
anything about this either just now-1 have been
praying to Almighty God for Vicksburg, also. |
have wrestled with Him, and told Him how much
we need the Mississippi. and how it ought to flow
unveXed to the sea, and how that great valley
ought 20 be forever free. and i reckon lie under
stands the whole business down there, from 4 10
lizard ] have done the very best / could TO
help General Grant along, and all the rest OF onr
generals, though some Of them don't think 50, and
now il is kind of borne in on me that somehow
or other we are going to win at Nicksburg, too.
can't tell how soon: But believe we will. For
this will save the Mississippi and cut the Con-
federacy in twain and be in line with Gods laws
besides And if Grant only does this thing down
there dom care much how. 40 Inc does IL right
why Grant is my man and am his the rest of this
war;"
OF course Mr.. Lincoln did not then know that
Vckshurg had already fallen, on July A. and that
a United States gunboat was then speeding its way
up the Mississippi TO Cairo with the news that was
soon to thrill the country and the civilized world
through and through. Gettysburg and Vicksburg
Our great twin Union victories What were they
not TO in that fateful summer of 1863 And
what would have happened to the American Repub-
lie had both gone the other way? or course,
40 not pTeleHu 10 say lHdt hDrdHdU IslucOIu b
faith and prayers saved Gettysburg and Vicks-
burg. But they certainly did not do us any
harm And to him his confidence in victory there.
because OF these, was comforting and abiding
reality rhOst beautiful TO BEHOLD on that memorable
July ). 1863.
Perhaps il should be added that / made full
notes Of this conversation shortly afterward and
have often repeated it since in private circles, and
now give it here as literally as posi- be-much of
il ipsissma verba. The talk afterward took a
wide range but Mr.. Lincoln said nothing conflict
ing with the above, and left the profound impress
sion upon both General Sckles and myself that in
these two great National emergencies he walked
and talked with JehOvah-or at least believed he
did Did he not take like counsel on other occa-
sions, as before Antietam, and Chattanooga, and
AppomattOX? For whatever he may have been
in earlier years and under narrower conditions.
il seems certain that great conflict as il pro-
ccedcd involving a whole continent and vast
people. with worldwide and time-long results.
sObered and steadied him. and anchored him on
God as the Superior Ruler of Nations. as a like
experience sObered and anchored William of
Orange and Cromwell, and Washington: and in
the end Abraham Lincoln became ruler worthy
t. rank even with these.
JAMES F. RUSHING.
tBvt Brig. Gen. Vols.