Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-04-07
"REMINISCENCES OF LINCOLN.

How Governor Pratt Secured His Sons
Release From Fort Monroe.
Former Congressman Henry G.
Worthington of Nevada tells the
following story of President Lin
coin:
Former Governor Thomas g.
Pratt of Maryland was the first Wing
governor ever elected by the people
of that state. During the war he
was arrested by order of Secretary
Stanton and imprisoned at Fort
Monroe.
During Pratt's confinement at
Fort Monroe Lincoln and Secretary
Seward paid visit to the fort on
important business one day. While
there Seward saw Pratt. They had
served in the United States senate
together. There was a feeling of
personal friendship between them,
and Seward interceded to have him
released.
"Just at the close of the war
Pratt's only son was wounded and
captured and held prisoner at Fort
Monroe. Pratt applied to Stanton
and Mr.. Dana, his assistant, for the
release of his son. 1t was very
promptly and without ceremony re-
fused by both.
Governor Pratt then appealed to
me for an introduction to President
Lincoln. / complied with the re.
quest and went with him to the
White House and introduced him to
Lincoln. Lincoln grasped his hand
cordially and expressed great de-
light in meeting him, as he was the
first Wing governor elected in Mary
land. You know Lincoln was orig
inally a Wing and a strong partisan.
What can / do for youf' the
president asked.
Pratt told him about the confine-
ment of his wounded son and APP
pealed to the president for his re-
lease.
''The president became very re-
Elective, and after a few moments of
silence and thought he asked Pratt
if he would exercise proper control
over the boy and try to effect a
change in his mind and conduct.
"Pratt gave him every assurance,
and after another long silence the
president said:
Pratt, do you know what I was
thinking about?'
"Pratt did not.
CT was thinking how I could
comply with your request and re-
lease this boy without setting dan
gerous precedent or being detri-
ment to the public service. am
glad that it is in my power to do
| you this favor, but shall hold you
responsible for the return of your
son when called for, you becoming
bail for his good conduct.
Upon which Mr.. Lincoln wrote
an order to the officer in command
at Fort Monroe to deliver to Gov.
ernor Pratt his son, Thomas Pratt,
to .bereturned to the president when
called for. He handed the card to
Governor Pratt with the remark:
Governor, teach your son to sir
no more
/ Governor Pratt was very much
affected, and as he arose to bid the
president goodby he said:
Would to God, Mr.. President
that the southern people might SEE
and know you as I have seen ant
known you today.
AS 1--WE left the White House tears
gushed into the eyes of Governor
Pratt. Trembling with emotion, b,
grasped hold of my arm to steady
himself and keep from falling.
"This was the most interesting
and affecting incident of all my re
lations with the dead president.
eyes, remember well the frs
time met Lincoln. 1t was durins
the war that was sent to Washing
ton as the first representative from
the new state of Nevada. When
called to pay my respects at tn
White House, the president cor
daily thrust out one hand and, plac
ing the other on my shoulder in
friendly way, said:
J lam glad to meet the represent
alive from Nevada, and l am gla,
!. that we have such state as Nevad,
, just now, state that is aiding us 81
/ much in paying off the boys VIII
are protecting our flag and country.
, cat that time silver was wortl
more than at the present.