Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-10-04

geant. He was given an order by Grant
to overtake the columns of Wallace and
Oglesby, and delivered Grants written
message ordering a change of route.
| Beckwith had ridden through coun-
try infested with bushwhackers for
more than 30 miles.
Upon his return to Grants regiment
he was promoted, and followed the
general throughout the war as special
operator. After he received his dis
charge as a soldier he was given the
brevet title of captain, and was placed
in charge of all Gen. Grants cipher
messages. Following is the story, as
taken from Mr.. Beckwith's notes, of
how President Lincoln received Sheri-
dams report, a story that has never
been published until now:
"In 1864 Abraham Lincoln visited the
front, and Grant lent his cipher oper-
ator, Sam II. Beckwith, TO Mr.. Lincoln
during his stay. The presidents tent
was connected with that of the opera
tor by an awning.
"In March, 1864, Sheridan, who had
swept up the Shenandoah valley with
10000 cavalry, halted long enough at
Columbia, Va, to send three scouts
with a report of his operations TO the
field operator on the noncommissioned
staff of the lieutenant general of the
army. The one that went directly
north through Richmond arrived first.
An orderly entered Beckwith'S tent,
and, saluting, reported:
Mr fr, 70,
Sheridan
"'Admit him instantly. cried the
telegrapher, springing from his little
field instrument.
"The courier was a sight to behold.
"I've got some writin' for you-uns
in my boot heel, if I can scrouge it out,
he said.
els it report from Gen Sheridan o.
asked Beckwith.
- reckon | was ordered to deliver
it in person to Gen. Grants field opera
tor
How would you like to deliver it TO
the president? asked the operator.
"'Them wasn't my orders. but, Lord. !.
1t 'ud be the temptation of my life
"Mr. Beckwith knew that President
Lincoln would appreciate the novelty.
and so he said to the orderly:
"'With my compliments. request the
president to step into the telegraph
tent to meet a gentleman
'The orderly saluted. and moment
later Mr.. Lincoln entered. The picture
was one that could never be forgotten.
The tall, gaunt scout. with matted hair
upon his shoulders, his butternut cloth
ing in rags literally plastered with red
clay mud. tried to stand on one foot to
'scrouge' Sheridan's report of the great
campaign from the obstinate boot heel.
The president, equally tall, standing
with his hands behind his back,
watched, waiting for he knew not
what.
Mr.. President said Beckwith,
this scout passed through Richmond
with dispatches from Gen. Sheridan.
He wishes the honor of delivering them
to the commander in chief
"'A courier from the front? This is
indeed II pleasure. My brave man, let
me shake your hand
'Mr. Lincoln held out that great, gen
erous hand, end the scout was wiping
the Virginia mud from his hand that
had been 'scgouging' that firmly
pegged patent leather box.
Holding the scouts dirty hand, Mr..
Lincoln sad
"'Quick. The dispatches!'
"Mr. Beckwith handed the courier a
hatchet. Laying his left hand on the
presidents shoulder, the unabashed
scout loosened the hollow heel and
handed to the president package
| sealed in tin foil.
| with hands that trembled just lit
tie the president opened the package
took out the sheets of tissue paper
held them to the light of the tent open
ing and then, as smile broke over his
face, where smiles would sometimes
come, he said;
"I reckon this young chap will have