The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1891-11-06
The Sleeping Sentinel.

Inc story OF EreSldent Lincoln and the
Vermont boy sentenced to be shot for
sleeping at his post has never been told
more graphically than in l.. E. Chitten-
den's book, "RecOllections of President
Lincoln, published by Harper Bros. The
young man, William Scott, was not yet
Injured to camp life and had volunteered
to take the place of Il sick cOmrade de-
tailed for picket duty. The next night,
Scott was appointed to the same duty but
found it impossible to keep awake two
nights in succession. His comrades set
about saving him and their success is
told as follows:
The more | reflected, the more hopeless
the case appeared. Thought was useless.
| must act upon impulse, or | should not
act at all.
Come" | said, "there is only one man
on earth can save your cOmrade. Fortu-
nately, he is the best man on the CONT
nent. We will go to President Lincoln"
| went swiftly out of the treasury over
to the White House and up the stairway
to the little office where the President
was writing. The boys followed in
procession. | did not give the thought
time to get any hold on me that |, an Of
ticer of the government, was committing
improperly in thus rushing matter up
on the Presidents attention. The Presi-
dent was the first one to speak.
''What is this?'' he asked. San expe-
dtion to kidnap somebody, or to get
another brigadier appointed, or for fur
Tough to go home and vote? | cannot do
it, gentlemen. Brigadiers are thicker
than drum majors, and | couldn't get a
furlough for myself, if l asked it, from
the War department."
There was hope in the tone in which he
spoke. L went straight to my point.
Mr. President" said, 'these men want
nothing for themselves. They are Green
Mountain boys of the Third Vermont,
who have come to stay as long as you
need good soldiers. They don't want
promotion until they earn it, but they do
want something that you alone can give
them-the life of a comrade.''
''What has he done?" asked the Presi-
dent. "You Vermonters are not bad
lot, generally. Has he committed muir
der or mutiny, or what other felony?''
''Tell him. [ whispered to the captain.
II cannotl [ cannot! l should stam-
mer like fool! You can do it better.'
'sCaptain," l said, pushing him for
ward, s'Scott's life depends on you. You
must tell the President the story. Ionly
know it from hearsay."
He commenced like the man by the Sea
of Galilee who had an impeachment in his
speech, but very soon the string of his
tongue was loosened and he spoke plain
ly. He began to- word paint a picture
with the hand of master. As the words
burst from his lips, they stirred my own
blood. He gave graphic account of the
whole story and ended by saying: "He
is as brave boy as there is in your ar
my, sir. Scott is no coward. Our noun
tains breed no towards. They are the
homes of 10000 men who voted for Abra-
ham Lincoln. They will not be able TO
see that the best thing to be done with
William Scott will be to shoot him like a
traitor and bury him like dog! O, Mr.
Lincoln, can your"
sNo,I can't!" exclaimed the President.
It was one of the moments when his
countenance became such remarkable
study. 1t had become very earnest as
the captain rose with his subject, then it
took on that melancholy expression
which, later in life, became SO infinitely
touching. | thought | could detect a
mist in the cavities of his eyes. Then,
in flash, there was a total change. He
smiled, and finally broke into hearty
laugh, as he asked me- s'Do your Green
Mountain boys fight as well as they talk?
If they do, don't wonder at the legends
about Ethan Allen"
Scott gave his own version of the af-
fair as follows:
1.-THE President was the kindest man
had ever seen knew him at once by a
Lincoln medal had long worn. was
scared at first; but Mr. Lincoln was so