The Portland daily press., 1896-05-23
HE REACHED HOME.
Pathetic Appeal to President Lin
coin.
CHARACTERISTIC KINDNESS OF
THE GREAT PRESIDENT.
Ordered Special Car For the Wounded
Man-Mr. Frank G. Johnston's Story of

Ordered Special Car For the Wounded
NIan-Mr. Frank G. Johnston's Story of
His B rother.
The following story of the Rebellion,
involving ons of the most pathetic incl
dents of suffering and death and one of
the most striking instances of President
Linooln's geat kindness of heart, was
read at recent meeting Of the Union
Veteran Legion, by Mr.. Frank &. John
ston, of this city:
In May, 1864, on the second days bat
tie of the Wilderness, my brother, Joseph
Fl. Johnston was mortally wounded,
having his left thigh shattered with
she'll while going over rail fence in
charge.
He was taken to the amputating table
and stripped of all his clothing. After
examination the doctors said they could
do nothing for him, that he could only
live a few hours. They carried him
away and left him under an oak tree
that stood about two hundred fset dis
tant. As night came on it grew chilly.
Feeling cold he drew the leaves over
him. He remained ten days, covering
himself each night with the leaves AS
his wound bled they soon became quite
saturated with blood and clung fast to
him three or four inches deep Each
morning there came young girl and
gave all the wounded in that part Of the
field drink of milk. They found she
yUo linn
make her speak or give any evidence Of
hearing them when they spoke to her.
Of course they could not learn her name
or where she came from.
| After hearing that my brother was
wounded, asked for, ana obtained, a
furlodgh to go to him. arrived in time
to join Sheridan ten days after the bat
tie. He took 800 ambulan ces to pick up
the wounded that were still living. 1
found my brother where they had told
me he was. They refused to take him
in, as they said he could not live to ride
half Lille. In spite of my entreaties
they went without him. T remained
with him that night and the next day,
as they came back, rode back to where
| Sheridan was to see If it would not be
possible to have them take my brother.
He was persistent in refusing; but when
he saw him lying on the ground, his
pleading face and earnest confidence that
he would live until he reached Washing
ton, he yielded. Turning to the wagon
master, he inquired if there was room
for this man. Eyes," he replied; 1.-TWO
or three have died since we started, a nd
we have taken them out" swell, put
him in.'' Then came the terrible ride
over stumps and roots. but he stood it
well; the thick covering of clotted blood
and leaves helped in protecting his body
from the jarriug Of the wagon. After a
long hard journey we reached the Ferry
that was to carry us into Washington.
My brother was laid on stretoher near
the ladies' entrance. After he was set
down. lady carrying blanket on her
arm stood and looked at him a while,
then spread the blanket over him. 1t
was the first covering he had had since
being prepared for the amputating table.
He was taken from the Ferry to Armory
Squares Hospital. After he had been
washed and had rested for two days he
wanted me to see the doctors and get him
furlough. I saw them. but they said
1T was foolishness to think of suoh n
thing as he could live bat q few days at
the most. persuaded them to talk with
him. They discouraged him by saying
he could not stand the journey, although
he was sure he could. That night my
sister came from New York. AS we
we're talking with. him, he wanted us to
go in the morning and stand on the pi-
azza at the White House, and when the
President came in to ask him for the fur
Tough to go home. We went as requested.
stood nearly two hours as we were there
by a. IN. When he came he
had his cavalry escort with him, which
he dismissed except his orderlies. He
came up the steps, and seeing us stand
ing there came and shook hands with
US. My heart failed me then. I could
i not muster courage to speak to such O
man and ask favor-the President OF
the United States.goI let him pass into
the door W ithout saying a word. With 8
1 heavy heart ! returned to my brother
and told him had not the courage tc
ask. "Oh," he said, elf were In your
place and you in mine, do you think
would not ask him for your l surely
would. Now tomorrow morning you &c
alone and see If you cannot get oourag,
enough"
The next morning I started again, go
in the same place where l stood the
morning before. AT the regular time III
came. My courage went, but when he
stepped on the piazza he walked out and
shook hands with me and said, "Young
man, what would you wish2" THAT
word gave me courage, and I told my
story as short as I could. he said. "Ge
tell your brother he shall have fur
lough." started, running the most OF
the way down Pennsylvania Avenue,
but when got to the Hospital the fur
Tough was there, being sent by cavalry
man. My brother was SO happy thinking
of going home!
| 10 aVro lorA