The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-10-19

doing all they could to prevent his exer-
cising this prerogative in he cases of
deserters. So / did not think it worth
while to make an application. | wrote
my mother of my situation, assuring her
of my innocence, but telling her that l
had little hope that would escape a dis
graceful death.
The poor old lady was advised by friends
of President Lincoln's kind heart. and
she left her quiet home to go to Wash
ington to try to force ner way, as she
was told she would have to do, through
officials and doorkeepers, with the hope
that she might secure justice-real JUS
tice-from the head of the nation.
When she reached the capital she knew
not what to do, so she followed a simple
method that suggested itself to her. She
wrote the President that she had come
to Washington to ask him to see justice
done to her soldier son, that his life
might be spared for his country and for
her. In homely way she wrote the
story, embodying the main points that |
have given and asking that my execu-
the hidden order. When she had finished
her letter, not doubling in her innocence
that she would be accorded an interview
4 L u
Within forty eight hours note came
from one of the Presidents private sec
retaries stating that Mr.. Lincoln would
see her the next day at II noon. Alter
mating between hope and despair, she
went to the White House at the appoint
ed hour. When she was ushered into the
Presidents private room he was sitting
at q desk, while his two little boys were
climbing all over him. My mother said
afterward that they reminded her of the
Lilliputians climbing over CULVER. Mr..
Lincoln rose-he was so tall that she
thought he would never cease rising
and, taking her by the hand. led her to a
seat.
81 have called for the papers in the
case of your son." he said, land had
them examined and a report made to
me. | have issued an order for stay of
execution until such time as a search can
be made of the location where he hid his
order. Meanwhile he is to be returned
to duty"
My mother looked upon the result as
still dependent upon finding evidence
that would prove my innocence. But
she was soon informed that it was equiv
alent to dropping the case against me.
was far more delighted with it than
would have been with a pardon. The
moment | heard it | made VOW that
would go through fire and smoke to Sc
cure that order and would send it to the
wisest Of human judges, who had given
me my life and an opportunity to prove
his wisdom
On being returned to duty l applied to
my captain for permission to go on a
hunt for my evidence. He told me to
put my request in writing and he would
forward it. l did so, and my petition
came back with the coveted permission
endorsed on it. Disgusting myself, |
again risked my life by going among the
Confederates and made straight for the
stone under which | had hidden my pa
per. l found it, though dampened and
blurred, still legible. TheneI made my
way safely back to camp.
From having been considered a de-
serter was Suddenly elevated to the
position of very daring fellow. | sent
my order to President Lincoln and re-
ceived a reply in his own handwriting.
What became OF the southern girl?
Oh, she's my old woman!