The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-08-13
LINCOLN'S LAST REVIEW.
An Interesting Renaissance Of the Civil
War.
MAI. J. A. VARIOUS, U.s.A., IN Los ANGELES
TIMES.

cries in my direction ever since that day
in 1865"
The remark was made by gentleman
who saw Abraham Lincoln on TIE occa-
sion of his last review of an army corps,
the afternoon of March p, 1865, near
Petersburg, Va.
Continuing he said There had been
a fierce battle early in the morning. The
Union troops had been surprised by q
large force of Confederates commanded
by that dauntless soldier who since the
war has found warm place in nearly all
American hearts by his high type of Amer
lcanism, his craftsmanship displayed IN
the United States Senate and as a popular
lecturer, Lieut.-Gen. John B. Gordon.
Gen Gordon bad asked and been Civ
Ell permission TO make an attempt to break
the Union lines in front OF Petersburg.
uivide the Army of the Potomac and thus
give Gen. Lees army chance TO whip 1t
in detail.
"The attack was made before daylight
on the morning Of the 18th. and it was so
much like one of Stonewall Jackson's flank
movements that for more than an hour
it promised great success for the gentle
men in gray. Gordon and his many thou
sands of picked soldiers of the Army of
Northern Virgina-than whom there
never were better fighters their
way through lines that our folks thought
were impregna BILE. and charged straight
.or Fort Stedman, which they captured
with all of its guns and soldiers.
Up to that point Gen. Gordon's plan
had worked well. He had caught his
enemy mapping, thrown 10000 of Lees
best men plump into the Union lines, cap
tured one of the largest and strongest
forts. and seemed in fair way to smash
that part of Grants army. But by this
time Gen. Parke's Ninth Corps had reused
up and was ready for action. The Con
federates We're charged from three sides.
1t was one of the most desperate struS-
giles of the war. 1t was in that fight Henry
w. Grady's father. NJ. Grady, was killed.
Soon after daylight Gordon was back with
Lees army, but more than half the force
he went out with was in the Union lines.
more than LOCO killed and wounded and
nearly 1000 prisoners.
"a brilliant plan courageously carried to
the brow of the hill had failed, and its
failure saved the Union army from most
humiliating and disastrous defeat"
The night before, there had been an i'm
portant conference at City Point, ID miles
from Petersburg then Gen. Grants head
Lincoln, Gems. Grant, Sherman and
Meade. Not long after the battle. the
President. Gen. Grant and Gen. Meade
went to the front by train.
The Confederates were sending solid
shot and shells into our lines when the
train approached. AS shell exploded,
short distance from the car the distinguish
ed officials were in, Gen. Grant asked:
''Mr. President, they evidently aim to
hurt this train-shall we stop, back up
and wait until the storm passes?'
What would you and Meade do if l
were not with you?' asked Mr.. Lincoln.
go ahead said Grant.
Then make believe am in the White
House." said the great President, to whom
it was no new thing to be under fire, and
they ran the gantlet, several shells explod-
ing close to the cars but none striking
them.
The train was stopped at 4 point close
to the 1000 Confederate prisoners. There
were many colored men, servants of the
prisoners, in the field. Pointing to the
large gathering, Gen. Grant said, ''Mr.
Lincoln, there are some of the fruits of
this mornings victory"
THAT is so, General; the fruit is there
in black and white"
Among the troops set in motion soon af-
ter the battle opened was the Fifth Corps.
1t was halted near Yellow Tavern, three
miles from the scene of action, by news
that there had been happy ending of the
struggle.
Corps was ordered to march to large
level field. form for review, and informed
that the President and some of the Cabi-
net would soon arrive.
1t was nearly 5 o'clock when they ar
rived at the right of the corps. Word was
sent down the line that, instead of regu-
larly reviewing the corps, the President
and party would ride from the right to
the left. A moment later, another Aid
rode along. telling regimental commanders
that if their men wanted to cheer to cheer.
1t was freedom the corps heartily well
coined.
''As the party started" he continued.
''the President and Cabinet officer in a
carriage, Tad Lincoln by its side, on his
pony, the Confederates. three miles away,
showed their appreciation of the visit by
sending a few shells in our direction, but
as they fell short, no confusion resulted.
Cheering: j never before heard such
cheering. Each regiment gave three times
three cheers and tiger. and then threw
their caps in the air. The President was
kept busy lifting his hat and bowling. He
rode SO close to the lines that we could
see his smile and hear his Thank you, my
brave boys The unrestrained, hearty
cheers greatly pleased him. Dear old
Abe l wonder if he realized how deeply
he was loved by the men he had called to
serve their country.
when the President reached our bril-
gade, and the boys had cheered and
thrown their black hats high in air, and
many a man had called out, God bless
you, Father Abel an erratic soldier
lodged from the ranks and bounded for
the carriage. his Captain rushing after
him with orders to halt and return to his
place. But the man kept on. When the
poor fellow dropped on his knees, the
driver was signalled to stop. The irate
Captain came up just as the soldier began
an appeal to the President to shield him
from Il threatened court-martiaI. The
Captain ordered the man to get up and
take his place i'll the ranks, and his man
ner was not extremely gentle.
Never mind, Captain; let him talk 1t
pleases him and does not displease me-
said the President.
1T was nearly dark when the review
ended, and the Presidents party started
for the City Point train, and the happy
Fifth Corps swung back to camp, singing
and shouting from joy at having had a
good look at their great hearted Command
erin Chief.
Three weeks later the war was over.
but with its ending came sorrow so over
whelming that mourning and tears took