The Washington herald., 1909-02-13
PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
Baltimore Editor Recalls an Episode
of the War.

Baltimore Editor Recalls an Episode
OF the war.
Gen. Felix Aguus. m the BaE,iuio-s Star.
After the fall Of Port Hudson. the
Nineteenth Army Corps. known as the
Army OF the Gulf. 1900 men, under Gen.
Emory. was ordered to reinforce Gen
Grant. We were seEt Up the James River
and soon had a fight at Deep Bottom.
After only three days we we're much
disturbed 10 receive an order 10 re-enl-
bark. and. Of course. we knew nothing
az the time Of our new destination. We
went down the James and ID the Poto-
mac, and then suddenly found We were
being rushed 70 Washington. EsrIy's
movements had frightened the Capital,
and Grant found he could spare the Nine
teenth Corps for the emergency.
Landing at the navy yard. We we're
given 100 rounds OF ammunition and
three days rat!ons. and FASTENED 10 the
city. Our men had seen hard service and
had the look Of real soldiers, weather
beaten and seasoned. ] was commanding
my regiment. the Duryea Zouaves, whose
faded uniforms were very different from
the gay eoiors they had worn when they
first went South. An orderly rode I'D and
said we were TO pass before the President
Of the United States l slowed the pace
and formed divisions front. and sent word
along that the President was TO review
Us. Il was marvellous 70 see the thrill
Of interest and enthusiasm that ran
through those ranks After we passed in
-
and said the President wanted 10 see me.
AS I wheeled I saw the President stand
ing on a box or low platform tan.
homeIy. but marvel0usly kind face and
figure. Jumping from my horse. ] sa-
luted. and President Lincoln extended hts
hand, saying: Young man. I want TO
congratulate you on the appearance Of
your ZOuaves" I tried to express my
appreciation. and he added: I think,
young man. you may soon have a brush
with them Surely enough. beyond Cabin
John Bridge that night we had a skirmish
and we spent the night on the skirmish
line
It had been my privilege to meet Lin
coin before. but this incident IS most
firmly outlined IN my mind because q
the effect II had upon every man in my
regiment II was indescribable Each
seemed 10 feel that he had himself been
honored. This special recognition he had
paid more than anything else could have
done for all they had suffered and FOR all
the dangers they expected 10 encounter.
This was Iincoln's influence in the civil
war. The hum5lest soldier considered
him a personal friend. always approach
able. and the nightlest intellects bowed
willingly before his genius because II was
as modest as Il was great
Meeting Lincoln turned many great
question in that mighty conflict Seeing
him was an inspiration that swept over
crowds and armies Ike a benediction.
Two men met who had this almost
divine gift The one was Lincoln and
the other was Phil Sheridan. A. diff
ferent as the poles were their characters.
but the power OF mastery was in them
both II seems 10 me that the thing We
should see most in Lincoln vas MS ire
mendous power over men. Even Nspo-
! Icons was not greater. There Is much
/ idle sentimentslity over his simple and
/ humble life. when as q matter Of fact
( he was always giant and 10 meet him
was to feel the force and the glow that
come from greatness personifed-