USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Directory and soldiers' register of Wayne County, Indiana, 1865 > Part 76
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for the time being take possession of the The bells rang merrily all over the land; mind.
booming of cannon was heard; illuminations
Another principle is, that the deepest affec- and torch-light processions manifested the tions of our hearts gather around some hu- general joy, and families were looking for man form in which are incarnated the living the speedy return of their loved ones from the thoughts and ideas of the passing age. If fields of battle. Just in the midst of this we look, then, at the times, we see an age of wildest joy, in one hour, nay in one moment, excitement. For four years the popular the tidings thrilled through our land that heart has been stirred to its utmost depths. Abraham Lincoln, the best of presidents, War had come upon us, dividing families, had perished by the hand of an assassin; and separating nearest and dearest friends ;
a then all that feeling that had been gathering war, the extent and magnitude of which no for four years in forms of grief, horror, and one could estimate; a war in which the blood joy, turned in an instant into one wail of woe -a sadness inexpressible, an anguish unut- terable.
of brethren was shed by a brother's hand. A call was made by this voice, now hushed; and all over this land, from hill and mount- But it is not the times merely which cause ain, from plains and prairie, there sprang this mourning. The mode of his death must up hundreds and thousands of bold hearts, be taken into account. Had he died on a ready to go forth and save our national bed of illness, with kind friends around him; Union. This feeling of excitement was trans- had the sweat of death been wiped from his ferred next into a feeling of deep grief, be- brow by gentle hands while he was yet con- cause of the danger in which our country scious; could he have lived to speak words of was placed. Many said it is impossible to affection to his stricken widow, or words of save the nation. Some in our country, and counsel to us, like those we heard in his part- nearly all the leading men in other countries, ing inaugural-that inaugural which shall declared it to be impossible to maintain the now be immortal-how it would have soften- Union ; and many an honest and patriotic ed or assuaged something of the grief. There heart was deeply pained with apprehensions might at least have been preparation for the
of common ruin, and many in grief and al- event. But no moment of warning was given most in despair, anxiously inquired, what shall for him or us. He was stricken down, too, when the end of these things be ? In addition to his hopes for the end of the rebellion were this, wives had given their husbands, moth- bright, and the prospects of a joyous life ers their sons-the pride and joy of their were before him. There was a cabinet hearts. They saw them put on the uni- form. They saw them take the martial cheerful and happy of any held since the meeting that day, said to have been the most step, and they tried to hide their deep feeling beginning of the rebellion.
of sadness. Many of these dear ones sleep
After this meeting he talked to his wife- upon the battle-field never to return again, spoke of the four years of tempest-of the and there was mourning in every mansion storm being over, and of the four years of and every cabin in our broad land. Then pleasure and joy now awaiting him, as the came a feeling of deeper sadness as the story came of prisoners tortured to death, or starv- ed through the mandates of those who are
weight of care and anguish would be taken from his mind, and he could have happy days with his family again. In the midst of these called the representatives of the chivalry, or anticipations he left his home never to return who claim to be the honorable ones of the alive. The evening was Good Friday-the earth; and as we read the stories of frames saddest day in the whole calendar for the attenuated and reduced to mere skeletons, Christian church-henceforth in this country our grief turned partly into horror, and to be made sadder, if possible, by the memory partly into a cry for vengeance.
of our nation's loss. And so filled with grief was every Christian heart that even all the
Then this feeling was changed to one of joy. There came signs of the end of this rebellion. joyous hearts of Easter Sunday failed to rc- We followed the career of our glorious gener- move the crushing sorrow under which the als; we saw our armies, under the command true worshipers bowed in the house of God. of the brave officer* who is guiding this
First, then, I recognize this in his physical procession, climb up the hights of Look- education, which he received, and which pre- out Mountain and drive the rebels from their pared him for enduring herculean labors. In strongholds. Another brave general swept the toils of his boyhood and the labors of his through Georgia, South and North Carolina, manhood, God was giving him an iron frame. and drove the combined armies of the rebels Next to this was his identification with the before him, while the honored lieut .- gener- heart of the great people, understanding their al held Lee and his hosts in a death grasp. feelings because he was one of them, and Then the tidings came that Richmond was connected with them in their movements evacuated and that Lee had surrendered. and life. His education was simple. A few months spent in the school-house gave him * General Hooker. the elements of education. He read Bun-
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yan's Pilgrim's Progress, Æsop's Fables and mankind. His moral power gave him pre- the life of Washington, which were his fa- eminence. The convictions of men that vorites. In these we recognize the works Abraham Lincoln was an honest man, led which gave the bias to his character, and them to yield to his guidance. As has been which partly mo Ided his style.
said of Cobden, whom he greatly resembled, he made all men feel a kind of sense of him- self-a recognized individuality, a self-rely- ing power. They saw in him a man whom they believed would do what was right, re-
His early life with its varied struggles, joined him indissolubly to the working masses, and no elevation in society dimin- ished his respect for the sons of toil. He knew what it was to fell the tall trees of the gardless of all consequences. It was this forest, and to stem the current of the broad moral feeling which gave him the greatest Mississippi. His home was in the growing hold upon the people and made his utterances almost oracular.
west-the heart of the Republic-and invigo- rated by the winds that swept over its prairies, he learned lessons of self-raliance that sus- tained him in scenes of adversity.
His genius was soon recognized, as true genius always will be, and he was placed in the legislature of his state. Already ac- quainted with the principles of law, he de- voted his thoughts to matters of public in- terest. and began to be looked upon as the "coming statesman." As early as 1839 he presented resolutions in the legislature, ask- ing for emancipation in the District of Co- lumbia, while, with but rare exceptions, the whole popular mind of his state was opposed to the measure. From that hour he was a steady and uniform friend of humanity, and was preparing for the conflict of later years.
When the nation was angered by the per- fidy of foreign nations in allowing privateers to be fitted out, he uttered the significant ex- pression, "one war at a time," and it stilled the national heart. When his own friends were divided as to what steps should be taken as to slavery, that simple utterance, "I will save the Union if I can with slavery, but if not, slavery must perish, for the Union must be saved." That became the rallying word. Men felt the struggle was for the Union, and all other questions must be subsidiary
But after all, by the acts of a man shall his fame be perpetuated. Where are his acts? Much praise is due to the men who aided him. He called able counselors around him, and able generals into the field, men who have borne the sword as bravely as ever any prayerful and thoughtful men every-where; but under his own guiding hands the move- ments of our land have been conducted.
If you ask me on what mental characteris- human arm has borne it. He had the aid of tics his greatness rested, I answer, on a quick and ready perception of facts; on a memory unusually tenacious and retentive, and on a logical turn of mind which followed sternly Turn toward the different departments. We had an unorganized militia, a mere skele- ton army; yet under his care, that army has been enlarged into a force which, for skill, intelligence, efficiency and bravery, surpasses any which the world had ever seen. Before and unwaveringly every link in the chain of thought on any subject which he was called upon to investigate. I think there have been minds more broad in their character, more comprehensive in their sweep; but I doubt whether there has been a mind which could its veterans the fame of even the renowned follow, step by step, with logical power the points which he desired to illustrate. He
veterans of Napoleon shall pale; and the mothers and sisters on these hillsides, and gained this power by the close study of ge- all over the land, shall take to their arms ometry, and by a determination to perceive the truth in all its relations and simplicity, pean wars.
The reason is obvious. Money, or a desire him, that in childhood, when he had any for fame, collected those armies, or they were difficulty in listening to a conversation to as- rallied to sustain favorite thrones or dynas- certain what people meant, he retired to rest. ties. But the armies called into being fought for liberty, for the Union, and for the right of He could not sleep till he tried to understand the precise point intended, and when under-
self-government, and many of them feel that stood to convey it in a clearer manner to the battles they won were for humanity others. Who that has read his messages every-where, and for all time; for I believe fails to perceive the directness and the sim-
that God has not suffered this terrible rebel- plicity of his style; and this very trait which lion to come upon our land merely for a chas- was scoffed at and derided by opponents, is tisement to us or lesson to our age.
now recognized as one of the strong points of
There are movements which involve in that mighty mind, which has so powerfully themselves eternities. There are instants influenced the destiny of this nation, and which shall for ages to come, influence the destiny of humanity.
which seem to contain germs which shall de- velop and bloom forever. Such a moment came in the tide of time to our land when a
It was not, however, chiefly by his mental question must be settled, affecting all the faculties that he gained such control over powers of the earth. The contest was for
again braver men than ever fought in Euro- and when perceived to utter it. It is said of
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human freedom. Not for this republic mere-|which stands high above all other papers ly. Not for the Union simply, but to decide which have been penned by uninspired men. whether the people, as a people, in their en- Abraham Lincoln was a good man. He tire majesty, were destined to be the govern- was known as an honest, temperate, forgiv- ments or whether they were to be subject to ing man; a just man, a man of noble heart tyrants or aristocrats, or to class-rule of any in every way. As to his religious experi- kind.
ence, I can not speak definitely, because I
This is the great question for which we was not privileged to know much of his pri- have been fighting, and its decision is at hand; vate sentiments. My acquaintance with him and the result of this contest will affect the did not give me the opportunity to hear him ages to come. If successful, republics will speak on those topics. This I know, how- spread in spite of monarchs all over this ever, he read the Bible frequently-loved it earth. I turn from the army to the navy. for its great truths and profound teachings, What was it before the war commenced? and tried to be guided by its precepts. Now we have our ships of war at home and He believed in Christ, the Savior of sinners, abroad, as well to guard privateers in foreign and I think he was sincerely trying to bring sympathizing ports, as to care for every port his life into harmony with the great princi- of our own coast. They have taken ports ples of revealed religion. Certainly if there that military men said could not be taken; ever was a man who illustrated some of the and a brave Admiral,* for the first time in the principles of pure religion, that man was our world's history, lashed himself to the mast, departed President. there to remain as long as he had a particle
Look over all his speeches-listen to his ut- of skill or strength to watch over his ship terances-he never spoke unkindly of any while it engaged in the perilous contest of man. Even the rebels received no words of taking the strong forts of the enemy.
Then again I turn to the Treasury De- partment. Where should the money come from? Wise men predicted ruin; but our national credit has been maintained, and our currency is safer to-day than it ever was be- fore. Not only so, but through our national bonds, if properly used, we shall have a permanent basis for currency, and an invest- ment so desirable for capitalists of other na- tions, that under the law of trade, I believe the center of exchange will be transferred from England to the United States.
anger from him, and the last days of his life illustrated, in a remarkable manner, his forgiving disposition. A dispatch was re- ceived that afternoon that Thompson and Tucker were trying to escape through Maine, and it was proposed to arrest them. Mr. Lincoln, however, preferred to let them qui- etly escape. He was seeking to save the very men who had been plotting his destruc- tion; and this morning we read a proclama- tion offering $25,000 for the arrest of these. men, as aiders and abettors of his assassina- tion. So that in his expiring acts he was saying, "Father, forgive them ; they know not what they do."
But the great act of the mighty chieftain, on which his power shall rest long after his frame shall molder away, is that of giving As a ruler, I doubt if any president ever showed such trust in God, or in public docu- ments so frequently referred to Divine aid. Often did he remark to friends and delega- tions that his hope for our success rested in his conviction that God would bless our ef- forts, because we were trying to do right. To the address of a large religious body, he- replied, "Thanks be unto God, who in our national trials giveth us the churches." To freedom to a race. We have all been taught to revere the sacred characters. We have thought of Moses, of his power, and the prominence he gave to the moral law; how it lasts, and how his name towers high among the names in heaven, and how he de- livered those millions of his kindred out of bondage. And yet we may assert that Abraham Lincoln, by his proclamation, lib- erated more enslaved people than ever Mo- a minister who said " he hoped the Lord was ses set free-and those not of his kindred. on our side," he replied "that it gave him no concern whether the Lord was on our side or not, for," he added, "I know the Lord is al- ways on the side of right," and with deep feeling added, "But God is my witness that it is my constant anxiety and prayer that both myself and this nation should be on the Lord's side. " God has seldom given such a power or such an opportunity to man. When other events shall have been forgotten; when this world shall have become a network of republics ; when every throne shall be swept from the face of the earth ; when literature shall en- lighten all minds; when the claims of hu- manity shall be recognized every-where, this act shall still be conspicuous on the pages of history. And we are thankful that God gave to Abraham Lincoln the decision and wisdom and grace to issue that proclamation,
In his domestic life he was exceedingly kind and affectionate. He was a devoted husband and father. During his presidential term, he lost his second son, Willie. To an officer of the army he said not long since, "Do you ever find yourself talking with the dead ?" and added, "Since Willie's death, I
* Farragut.
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catch myself every day involuntarily talk- Standing, as we do to-day, by his coffin ing with him as if he were with me." For and his sepulcher, let us resolve to carry for- his widow, who is unable to be here, I need ward the work which he so nobly begun. only invoke the blessing of Almighty God, Let us do right to all men. Let us vow in that she be comforted and sustained. For the sight of heaven to eradicate every ves- his son, who has witnessed the exercises of tige of human slavery; to give every human this hour, all that I can desire is that the being his true position before God and man; mantle of his father may fall upon him. to crush every form of rebellion, and to
Let us pause a moment on the lesson of stand by the flag which God has given us. the hour before we part. This man, though How joyful that it floated over parts of he fell by an assassin, still fell under the per- every state before Mr. Lincoln's career was missive hand of God. He had some wise ended. How singular that to the fact of the purpose in allowing him to fall.
assassin's heel being caught in the folds of What more could he have desired of life the flag we are probably indebted for his cap- for himself? Were not his honors full ? ture. The flag and the traitor must ever be There was no office to which he could aspire. enemies.
The popular heart clung around him as who himself has deeply suffered from the re- istrate. If rumors of a desired alliance bellion, now wields the sword of justice.
Traitors will probably suffer by the change around no other man. The nations of the of rulers, for one of sterner mold, and one world had learned to honor our Chief Mag- with England be true, Napoleon trembled
Our country, too, is stronger for the trial.
when he heard of the fall of Richmond, and A republic was declared, by monarchists, too asked what nation would join him to protect weak to endure a civil war, yet we have him against our government. This had the crushed the most gigantic rebellion in history, guidance of such a man. His fame was full, and have grown in strength and population his work was done, and he sealed his glory every year of the struggle. We have passed by being the nation's just martyr for liberty. through the ordeal of a popular election
He had a strange presentiment in early while swords and bayonets were in the field political life that some day he would be pres- and have come out unharmed. And now in ident. You see it indicated in 1859, when of our hour of excitement, with a large minori- the slave power he said : "Broken by it, I ty having proffered another man for presi- too, may be; bow to I never will. The dent, the bullet of the assassin has laid our probability that we may fail in the struggle President prostrate. Has there been a muti- ought not to deter us from the support of a ny? Has any rival proposed his claim? Out cause which I deem just; it shall not deter of our army of near a million no officer or me. If ever I feel the soul within me ele- soldier uttered one note of dissent, and in an vate and expand to those dimensions not hour or two after Mr. Lincoln's death, an- wholly unworthy of its Almighty Architect, other, by constitutional power, occupied his it is when I contemplate the cause of my coun- chair. If the Government moved forward try, deserted by all the world besides, and I without one single jar, the world will learn standing up boldly and alone, and hurling that republics are the strongest governments defiance at her victorious oppressors. Here, on earth.
without contemplating consequences, before And now my friends, in the words of the high heaven, and in the face of the world, I departed, "with malice toward none," free swear eternal fidelity to the just cause, as I from all feelings of personal vengeance, yet deem it, of the land of my life, my liberty, believing that the sword must not be borne in and my love." vain, let us go forward in our painful duty.
And yet he recently said to me more than Let every man who was a senator and rep- once, "I never shall live out the four years of resentative in Congress, and who aided in be- my term. When the rebellion is crushed ginning this rebellion, and thus led to the my work is done." So it was. He lived to slaughter of our sons and daughters, be see the last battle fought, and to dictate a brought to speedy and to certain punish- dispatch from the home of Jefferson Davis- ment. Let every officer educated at public lived till the power of the rebellion was expense, and who, having been advanced to broken, and then having done the work for position, has perjured himself, and has turn- which God sent him, angels, I trust, were ed his sword against the vitals of his country, sent to shield him from one moment of pain be doomed to a felon's death. This, I be- or suffering, and to bear him from this world lieve, is the will of the American people. to that high and glorious realm where the pa- Men may attempt to compromise and to re- triot and good shall live forever. His exam- store these traitors and murderers to society ple teaches young men that every position of again, but the American people will rise in eminence is open before the diligent and their majesty and sweep all such compromis- worthy. To the active men of the country, es and compromisers away, and shall declare his example urges to trust in God and do that there shall be no peace to rebels. But right.
to the deluded masses we shall extend arms of
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forgiveness. We will takethem to our hearts. search out of the camp disguised as an elder- We will walk with them side by side, as welly lady going for a bucket of water. His go forward to work out a glorious destiny. boots betrayed him, and he was taken, not- The time will come when, in the beautiful withstanding the warnings of his wife that words of him whose lips are now forever "The President might hurt somebody." The sealed, "the mystic cords of memory which party consisting of his wife and children, a stretch from every battlefield, and every pat- niece and some of his cabinet officers, were riot's grave shall yield a sweeter music when taken to Fortress Monroe.
touched by the angels of our better nature."
To the ambitious there is this fearful les- son: Of the four candidates for presidential honors in 1860, two of them, Douglas and
THE LAST DITCH.
On the 13th of May Cololnel Barnett had been sent out to seize a rebel camp a few Lincoln, once competitors-but now sleeping miles from the town of Brazos in west- patriots-rest from their labors; Bell# per- ern Texas. The camp was taken, but on ished in poverty and misery, as a traitor their return a skirmish took place, during might perish, and Breckenridge is a frighten- which several on both sides were killed. ed fugitive, with the brand of traitor on his This, we believe, was the last fighting, and brow.
consequently this place was the last ditch in which all rebels, from the beginning, had re-
The assassination of the President was on- ly the expiring throes of the rebellion. The solved to die. enemies of the nation hoped that in slaying the chief executive they would slay the na- tion itself; but how futile their efforts. Not only is his murderer slain and his body igno-
CAPITULATION OF THE LAST ARMED FORCES OF THE REBELS.
There yet remained, however, a considera- miniously disposed of; but the last armed ble body of rebels under Gen. Kirby Smith, force of any importance surrendered to na-
west of the Mississippi river, principally in tional authority before the remains of the Texas. Even after the surrender of the ar- President reached their final resting place- mies under Generals Lee and Johnson, he the rebel army under Gen. Johnson, consist- endeavored to keep up the courage of his ing of 30,000 men, having surrendered to Gen. followers by flaming addresses; but the men Sherman on the 26th of April, leaving but a knowing they were utterly defeated, deserted few small bodies of rebels remaining in arms him by thousands. On the 23d of May, west of the Mississippi river.
Gen. Smith sent a deputation to Gen. Canby,
Jefferson Davis had been with the to negotiate terms of surrender. These were rebel army under Gen. Lee until just previ- easily settled, and somewhere between fifty ous to its surrender and then escaped to that and eighty thousand rebels, with all the muni- under Jonhson, remaining with it until the tions of war under his control, were turned negotiation with Sherman, in which it was over to the government of the United States. stipulated that all who surrendered should be The men were disarmed and paroled to re- invested with the rights of loyal citizens at turn to homes made desolate by their once, but happily set aside by our civil rulers own hands, or to wander as vagabonds upon before it could be carried into effect. He-the face of the earth.
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