Abraham Lincoln (1905) (14577991629)

Identifier: abrahamlincoln00ketc (find matches)
Title: Abraham Lincoln
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors: Ketcham, Henry
Subjects: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Presidents
Publisher: New York : University Society
Contributing Library: Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection
Digitizing Sponsor: The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant



Text Appearing Before Image:
estroyedone, but this was different. It needed not an experienced eye or a militarytraining to see that this could only be done at acostly sacrifice of life. But let it be remembered CLOSE OF THE WAR. 381 that the three years of uo progress had also beenat a costly sacrifice of life. The deadly malariaof Virginia swamps was quite as dangerous as abullet or bayonet. Thousands upon thousands ofsoldiers were taken tohospital cursing intheir wrath: If Icould only have beenshot on the field ofbattle, there wouldhave been some gloryin it. But to die ofdrinking the swampwater — this is aw-ful ! The sacrificeof life under Grantwas appalling, but itwas not greater thanthe other sort of sacri-fice had been. Whatis more, it accom-plished. ltS purpose. Grants Campaign around Richmond. Inch by inch he fought his way through manybloody months to the evacuation of Eichmond andthe surrender of Lees army at Appomattox,April 9, 1865. Then the war was over.The sympathies of the President were not lim-
Text Appearing After Image:
382 LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. ited to his own friends or his own array. Theauthor is permitted to narrate the following inci-dent—doubtless there were many others like it—which is given by an eye-witness, the ReverendLysander Dickerman, D. D., of New York City : It was at Hatchers Run on the last Sunday be-fore the close of the war. A detachment of Con-federate prisoners, possibly two thousand in all,had just been brought in. They were in rags,starved, sick, and altogether as wretched a sight asone would be willing to see in a lifetime. A trainof cars was standing on the siding. The Presi-dent came out of a car and stood on the platform.As he gazed at the pitiable sufferers, he said nota word, but his breast heaved with emotion, hisframe quivered. The tears streamed down hischeeks and he raised his arm (I dont suppose,commented the Doctor, he had a handker-chief ) and with his sleeve wiped away the tears.Then he silently turned, reentered the car whichbut for him was empty, sat dow