Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-08-28
Civil War Stories


me United States have been assassl-
mated. | remember the incidents asso-
ciaJed with the assassination OF Lin
coin rs clearly as those related to the
assassination of Mckinley. Whenever
y think of Mckinley among the re-.
sponsire smiling throngs of Buffalo
think of lincoln among the soldiers
ana the people afters the fall of Rich
lnond.
That was a period of wild excite
meht, keyed everywhere To note of
triumph. For weeks the intense life
OF the North had taken on new phase.
The elimination of Sherman's march
to the sea, the presence of the Presi
dent at Petersburg, all pointed to n eli
max ia the drama of war, The bul-
letins from Petersburg that went 10
the country as the contest narrowed
down toward the LIST of April. 1856.
Were signed by A. Lincoln. The tele-
graph system then was not what ii is
DOW, and news Of vital Importance OF
ten came first 10 Governors or to mill
tary commanders.
Il remember one quiet Sunday after
noon in Columbus, Ohio. where there
were no Sunday papers coming from
any quarter and where the two daily
newspaper offices were closed. tlat
group of distinguished men, including
Judge of the Supreme Court, bank,
or and members of the Legislature.
walked through the silent corridors of
the State capitol seeking news at the
closed and they We're not opened ut
knock or signal, but as the gentlemen
were going out disappointed, they met
bluf old Governor Brough in the hall.
He was imperturbability itself His
face showed no excitement or emotion.
The Judge asked him If there was any
news from Grant lie looked over the
group quietly and then said: i have a
confidential message from General
Grant. | give 1t TO YOU under pledge
Of secrecy. General Lee has surren-
dered.' Instantly every member of
that group threw his hat high to the
ceiling, yelled like an. Indian, and start
ed at a full run for the street Bare
headed, they went down the walk lead
ing TO High street, shouting the cunii-
dental message from Grant that Lee
had surrendered In five minutes the
city was in an uproar
THAT night crowd of thousands
gathered in the vicinity of Capitol
square and stood in the rain while
Governor Brough told them Of the
news from the front lie stood near Il
street lamp. the light illuminating his
massiye bald head, on tlie top Of which
the rain drops were pattering and
slslashing. Some one said Put on your
hat, Governor lsnt ON your hatn In
his deep round soice he said I will
NOT pat on my hat stand uncovered
In the presence of the great victory
and will not put on my hat Standing
on a pile of brick he spoke his speech
TO the end and newer recovered from
the cold he took that might.
Then came almost q week 0f such
rejoicing as the country had never OK
perienced before. This high tide OF eN-
ultation swept the people forward to
the 14th Of April when throughout the
North great meetings were held In
churches. in The open air. i1l public
buildings, all the t'nionists everywhere.
in the army and III civil life joining IN
prayers Of thanksgiving and in songs
ana hymns Of rejoicing When this tide
had reached its highest. Lincoln was
shot by an assassin and there was a
quick ebb To the lowest flow
''At that time the government and
the military authorities practically
controlled the wires from Washington.
The news of the tragedy at Fords
theafer went that night only to the
larger cities. 1t came 10 the others
and the country at large with the death
Of the President early the next morn
ing and there was IN truth wailiug
throughout the land. 1T was s. new
experience. 1t was terrifying blow.
but il is well to remember that at that
time no one pretended that the assarsi-
nation If the President was not an act
Of war Al the enginery of the GOV
eminent ala the police power Of civil
life, all the energy of the people at
large was turned 10 the pursuit. cap
ture. and punishment OF the conspira
Tors and assassIns. when the assassin
was shot and bis accomplices captured
the people breathed more freely and
they grieved rs they never had grieyed
before
After the funeral train left Wash
lngton the stolid officers acting as
guard Of honor and as masters Of cero-
monies. who had come many Of them
fresh from the greatest battles Of his-
tory. stood amazed ut The acres Of peo-
pie that crowded toward tile railroads
aud concentrated wherever the train
stopped There Is in my mind a pic
tuFe Of General Hooker as he strobe
with majestic step at the head Of the
funeral procession as il entered the
Capitol square at Columbus. Erect