The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-09-25
LINCOLN'S ASSASSINATION.
New Chapter In the History of the
Terrible Tragedy.

New Chapter In the History of the
Terrible Tragedy.
George C. Reed, of Chicago, in Il letter.
to the New York Sun, contributes the
following chapter in tho history of the
assassination Of Abraham Lincoln:
| recently picked up Il clipping from
your valuable paper containing IA state
ment of James N. Mills, who claims to
have been present at the time the la
mentcd Abraham Lincoln was shot
!, too. have a story that has never
been related in the public prints. II
also has to do with little thing that |
witnessed at the time the president was
assassinated, and also something that
occurred the afternoon prior to 1t.
was only a boy at the time, scarcely
10 years of age had been in the army
since August. 1862. Was enlisted in
Company II. One Hundred and Forticth
New York Volunteers, as n drummer
was detached from my company nearly
all the time from the spring of 1863 to
the time ! was discharged from the SER
vice as foot orderly at brigade head
quarters. | served in that capacity un-
der the colonel of my regiment, who for
a time commanded the Third Brigade,
Second Division, Fifth Corps, Colonel
p. II. OROurke. who, by the way, was
killed at Gettysburg; also under General
Weed, who was also killed at Gettys-
burg and afterwards under Colonel Cir
ard of the One Hundred and Forty
sixth New York Volunteers, command
ing the brigade. In 1863 and up to the
close of the war. was with General
Griffin and General Ayers. AS said, |
was only a foot orderly, consequently
did not have the confidence of the officers
attached to headquarters. still was
among them, ready to obey any orders
given me day or night. | was in the
front most of the time, but did not have
the honor of capturing Il whole brigade
of the enemy. or performing any of the
heroic acts others tell about.
Some time in the latter part of March,
1865, was sent to Washington on ac-
count of the loss Of my voice. re-
NAMED there most of the time in bar
racks on east Capitol Hill. On the af-
ternoon of the fated April IA, 1865,
happened in the saloon next door to
FOrd's Theatcr to see the barkecper one
Jim Peck. While standing near stove
al n ~ fff
came into the place laughing and talking
loudly. They all went to the end Of the
bar nearest the door and ordered a
drink. One was tall, handsome fellow,
If l remember rightly. and the others
appeared like workmcn of some kind
Both were carelessIy dressed, and /
think one was in his shirt sleeves. They
ing man turned toward where l was
standing and said, Come up, soldier
and have a drink" I declined, for the
reason that ! had not at that time be-
drinking. He then approached me and
took me by the arm and said. Have
something; take a cigar" This did
not refuse, and he put his hand in his
vest pocket and. pulling out cigar,
handed it to me without any further
remarks. He then returned to his com
panions at the bar. They remained, IL
l remember correctly, about five min
utes after, and then. all laughing at
something Peck said. left the place. AS
soon as they were gone ! asked Peck
who the big man was, and he said that