The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-01-11
LINCOLN AND STEPHENS.
A Striking Instance of "old Abs's"
Kindness of Heart

The Hampton Roads peace confer
ence Of 1866, at which Mr.. stephens.
Judge j. A. Campbell and Mr.. X. NJ. 4.
Hunter met Mr.. Lincoln and Mr. Sew
ard in an effort to establish peace he
tween the north and south aud SO 10
put an end 10 hloodshed. had ended in
failure. Mr. Lincoln aud Mr.. Stephens
had met in 1S1T, when both were
members Of congress. and somethin:
very like warm personal friendship
had developed between them. This
was strengthened at Hampton Roads.
When they came 10 say goodby, the
president of the United States remark
ed with feeling 10 the vice president of
the Confederacy:
We'll, Stephens. there has been moth
ing we could do for our country. Is
there anything | can do for YOU person
alIy?"
Nothing" Then the vice presidents
pale face frightened. Unless you can
send me my nephew. who has been for
twenty months a prisoner on Johnsons
island"
Mr.. Lincoln's face also frightened.
his name" He took the name down in
his notebook.
When he returned TO Washington. he
telegraphed to Johnson's island. direct
ing that Lieutenant Stephens lie put
on his parole. with orders To report Mt
once to President Lincoln in Washing
ton
An officer came into the prison aud
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 he shot. lie had
been captured at the siege of Nicks-
burg and had been imprisoned five
months in New Orleans and then car
ried to JOhnsons island.
When he reported at headquarters.
he was told that he was to report at
: once to President Lincoln, SO lie 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 prcsi-
dent. and. having sent in his name.
be was Immediately ushered into Mr..
Iincoln's presence. He found the pres
!dent sitting on a table in a half re-
Ginning position and talking with Soc
rotary Seward. Mr.. Lincoln rose.
shook his hand very cordially and said :.
Il saw YOUR uncle, lion. Alexander
H stephens. recently at Hampton
Roads.
Lieutenant Stephens had not heard
OF the peac" conference. and this was
/ his first direct news Of his family since
+ his Imprisonment. President Lincoln
continued:
Il told your uncle l would send you
to him. lieutenant"
Naturally the lieutenant was deeply
moved and grateful.
You have the frcct.om Of the city. 80
Mr.. Lincoln continued, as long as you
/ please to remain here. When you want
to 20 home let nc know. and | will
pass you through the lines"
The Icutcuants appreciation and JOY
can l,c imagined. Mr.. Lincoln talked
on pleasantly, telling him Of the Hamp-
ton Roads conference. asking him
questions and making the hour a mem
] "Tal,ie one IN many way.
The lieutenant remained in Washing
ton about two weeks. Many old friends
entertained him. and nc was in 4 state
81 mind and body to set value on such
show II good will.
He recovered his strength rapidly.
and when nc went to Mr.. Lincoln and
told him Le WIS ready to 20 To Rich
,rond Mr.. Lincoln gave him a letter
and Il pass thr1u~i the Federal lins~-