Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-03-07
LINCOLN AND STEPHENS.
A Striking Instance Of "oid Abe's"
Kindness Of Heart,

The Hampton Roads peace confer
ence of 1855, at Which Mr.. Stephens,
Judge j. A. CampHel and Mr.. r. M. T.
| Hunter met Mr.. L.iil.oln and MI. Sew
ard in an effort to establish peace be-
tween the north and south and so to
put all. end to bl%oodshed, had ended in
failure. Mr.. Lincoln and Mr.. Stephens
had met in 1S47, when both were
members of congress-, and something
very like warn personal friendship
had developed between them. This
was strengthened at Hampton Roads.
When they came to say goodby, the
president of the United States remark
ed with feeling to the vice president of
the Confederacy:
"Well, Stephens, there has been moth
ing we could do for our country. Is
there anything 1 can do for you person.
ally?"
Nothing" Then the vice presidents
pale face frightened. "Unless you can
send me my nephew, who has been for
twenty months a prisoner on Johnson's
island"
Mr.. Lincoln's face also frightened.
II shall be glad to do it. Let me have
his name" He took the name down in
his notebook.
When he returned to Washington, he
t%elegraphed to Johnson's island, direct
ing that Lieutenant Stephens be put
on his parole, with orders to report at
once to President Lincoln in Washing
ton.
An officer came into the prison and
called out:
"Lieutenant John A. Stephens of
Georgia."
The lieutenant had no idea what was
wanted of him. He thought he was
being called out to be shot. He had
been captured at the siege of Vicks-
burg and had been imprisoned five
ried to Johnson's island.
When he reported at headquarters,
he was told that he was to report at
nee to President Lincoln. So he was
driven across the ice ON Lake Erie in a
sleigh twenty miles to Sandusky and
went on to Washington.
There at once he sought the presi-
dent, and, having sent in his name,
he was Immediately ushered into Mr..
Lincoln's presence. He found the pres
ident sitting or a table in a half re-
Ginning position and talking with Sec
rotary Seward. Mr.. Lincoln rose,
shook his hand very cordially and said;
II saw your uncle, Hon. Alexander
81. Stephens, recently at Hampton
Roads"
Lieutenant Stephens had not heard
Of the peace conference, and this was
his first direct news Of his family since
his Imprisonment. President Lincoln
continued:
t II told your uncle 1 would send YOU
to him, lieutenant"
Naturally the lieutenant was deeply
moved and grateful.
"You have the freedom of the city,
Mr.. LINCOLN continued, "as long as you
please to remain here. When you want
to go home, let me know, and l will
pass you through the lines"
The lieutenant's appreciation and joy
can be imagined. Mr.. Lincoln talked
on pleasantly, telling him Of the Hamp-
ton Roads conference, asking him
questions and making the hour a mem
orable one in many ways.
The lieutenant remained i'll Washing
ton about two weeks. Many old friends
entertained him, and he was in a state
Of mind and body to set value ON such
a show Of good will.
He recovered his strength rapidly,
and when he went to Mr.. Lincoln and
told him he was ready to go to Rich
mond Mr. Lincoln gave him a letter
, and q pass through the Federal lines
and then handed him his photograph,
saying:
you had better take that along. 1t
is considered quite a curiosity down
your way, 1 believe"
Lieutenant Stephens went on to Rich
mond, reporting for duty, and, though
privileged to make a visit to his rela-
tiyes in Georgia and longing to see
them, proceeded to West Virginia,
where he served OF the staff Of Gen
eral Gordon. OF course he had been
duly exchanged, the Federal officer who
had been released going north, carry
ing with him memories of kindnesses
and courtesy shown him in Richmond.
-Myrta Lockett Avary in Century.