Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-02-24

pose could be got for active service al
that timer" She replied: Il know
nothing of the army of the Potomac
except that it has made some noble
sacrifices" well, but give guess, .
persisted the president. Indeed,
cannot was her answer He threw
himself awkwardly around in his
chair, with one leg over the arm,
and spoke slowly: This war might
have been finished at that time, il
every man had been in his place who
was able to be there; but they were
scattered here and there over the
north-some on furloughs, and in one
or another way gone, SO that,
out of one hundred and seventy
thousand men, whom the govern
ment was paying, only eighty-three
thousand could be got for action.
The consequences, you know, proved
nearly disastrous. The president
paused for response, and it came.
1T was very sad; but the delinquents
were certainly not in northern hospl-
tails, nor were they deserters from
northern hospitals, for we have none:
so your argument is not against
them
The president appreciated this
logic thoroughly, and replied: We'll,
well; you go and call on the secretary
OF war, and see what he says" He
then took the lady's letter, and wrote
on the back: Admit Mrs. at
once. Listen to what she says. She
is a lady OF intelligence, and talks
sense. A. Lincoln" May | return
to you, Mr.. Lincoln?" she inquired.
Certainly said he, gently; and then
the lady, found her way to Mr.. Stan.
tons office, and was listened to and
treated with great respectfulness and
Kindness. She was told by the sec
rotary that he had sent the surgeon
general to New Orleans, with direc-
tons to come up the river, and visit
all the hospitals. Mrs - had no
faith in these inspections, and told
him so-told him, further, that no
good to the western soldiers had ever
resulted from them She also indi-
Gated what she believed to be the
reasons for the favorable reports from
the southern hospitals, that had UNI.
formly been made. Il believe" said
she, that it is because the medical
authorities know that the heads of de-
partments are opposed to establishing
hospitals so far from army lines, and
report accordingly. l wish this could
be over-ruled. Can nothing be done?"
Nothing until the surgeon-general re-
turns" he replied. Personally, he ex-
pressed himself in favor of hospitals
in every northern state, but he had to
be guided by the medical authorities.
She babe him good morning." ana
returned to the president. No one
was waiting, and at the invitation OF
the messenger she passed directly
into the presidents room; and, as
Mr.. Lincoln motioned her to a chair,
he inquired what the secretary of war
had said to her. She gave him a full
account of the interview, and added:
Il have nowhere to go but to you"
He replied, Mr.. Stanton knows there
is an acting surgeon-general here,
and that Hammond will not return
these two months. l will see the Sec
Rotary of war myself, tonight; and
you may come again in the morning
He then dismissed her in the kindesr
manner and with the kindest words.
In the morning, the lady returned, full
of hope, expecting to be greeted by
the same genial face and cordial man.
ner with which Mr.. Lincoln had dis
missed her. The president raised
his eyes as she entered his room, said
good morning" and pointed to a
chair. He was evidently annoyed at
something which had occurred during
some previous conversation of the
morning, and waited for her to speak.
She waited for him. ''Well?" said he,
after minute of delay. "Well?" re-
piled his visitor. He looked up under
his eyebrows. little startled, and in
quired: Have you nothing to say?"
Nothing" she replied, until hear
your decision. Have you decidedy
You know you babe me come this
morning" mo, l have not decided;
and / believe this idea of northern
hospitals is great humbug, and I am
tired of hearing about it." The lady
pitied him in his weak and irritable
mood, and said: Il regret to add a
feathers weight to your already over
whelming care and responsibility. I
would rather have stayed at home"
With feeble smile, he responded:
Il wish YOU had" She was in earnest,
and replied: Nothing would have
given me greater pleasure, sir; but a
keen sense of duty to this govern
ment, justice and mercy to its most
loyal supporters, and regard for your
honor and position, made me come
The people cannot understand why
their husbands, fathers and sons are
left to die, when, with proper care
and attention, they ought to live, ana
yet do good service for their country.
Mr.. Lincoln. | do believe you will yer
be grateful Tor my coming do nos
come to plead for the lives Of criml-
nails, nor for the lives of deserters;
but plead for the lives of those VINO
We're the first to hasten TO the sup
port of this government, who helped
to place you where you are-for men
who have done all they could; ana
now, when flesh and nerve and mus