He had heard their story in all its details, and as he talked with each, asking questions and making his shrewd comments on what they had to say, it was evident that for the moment this interesting interview was to him of supreme importance. Their names were given to the President, and, without missing the identity of a single man, he shook hands all round with an unaffected cordiality and good-fellowship difficult to describe. Hitchcock, then on duty in Washington, were Mason, Parrott, Pittenger, Buffum, Reddick, and Bensinger. “The men, who were introduced to the President by General E. The expedition failed, and of the original number only six returned to Washington, after incredible hardships and suffering, – one third of the party having escaped, and another fraction having been hanged as spies, the rebel authorities deciding that the fact that these men wore citizen’s clothes within an enemy’s lines put them in that category.” Mitchell, then in northern Alabama, were sent on a dangerous mission to destroy the railroad communications of Chattanooga to the south and east. Twenty-one men from Ohio regiments of the command of General O. It appeared that these were the survivors of what was then known as the Marietta raid. One day in the latter part of March, 1863, I was at the White House with the President, and he told me to tarry for a while, as a party of Ohio soldiers who had been lately exchanged after many harassing experiences were coming to see him. “Then, at least, the ‘common soldier’ was the equal of the chief magistrate of the nation. Lincoln’s manner toward enlisted men with whom he occasionally met and talked, was always delightful in its bonhomie and its absolute freedom from anything like condescension,” recalled California journalist Noah Brooks. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause – honor to him, only less than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle.” 2 Writing to decline an invitation to speak at Cooper Institute on December 2, 1863, the President wrote: “Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bear his country’s cause. They understand without an argument, that destroying the government, which was made by Washington, means no good to them.” 1 Union soldiers honored President Lincoln and President Lincoln honored the soldiers – frequently speaking of his gratitude for their sacrifices. This is the patriotic instinct of the plain people. In his Jspecial message to Congress, Lincoln described the loyalty of “common soldiers… and common sailors” who “have successfully resisted the traitorous efforts of those, whose commands, but an honor before, they obeyed as absolute law. William Davis, Lincoln’s Men: How President Lincoln Became Father to an Army and a NationĪbraham Lincoln had a strong and almost mystical devotion to ordinary Americans. Also, watch Arroyo discuss the story on EWTN News Nightly:Ĭlick here if you cannot see the video above. Bush restarted it in 1989.Ĭheck out Raymond Arroyo’s children’s book, “The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln” for purchase in the EWTN Religious Catalogue. It did not occur consistently, however, until George H.W. Kennedy was the first to carry on the tradition. While the Turkey Pardon began with Lincoln, President John F. Then, Abe Lincoln, with his heart full of mercy and love for his son, “granted Jack the turkey a full reprieve of execution.” The Turkey Pardon Now The president’s son cried and begged his father to save his pet turkey from its execution. Tad was very upset upon learning his beloved friend was meant for Christmas dinner! “He named his playmate Jack, like the toy soldier he and Willie used to play with.””Tad taught Jack to eat from his hand, to trot behind him, and took him out for walks on a leash.” The First Turkey PardonĪfter the White House was gifted with a Christmas turkey, Tad Lincoln befriended it. However, Willie died of typhoid fever at age 11.īoth overcome by terrible grief, Tad and Abe developed a close-knit relationship.ĭuring the Civil War, Tad often lay near his father’s desk and listened to those seeking presidential pardons. The boys even interrupted cabinet meetings to request “pardons” for their toys! Children poked fun at him, so he stayed close to his family in the White House.Īlongside his brother, Willie, seven-year-old Tad stirred up trouble and brought childlike life to the White House. Tad suffered from a cleft palate, which resulted in speech problems. In one of his latest books, EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo captures the story of Abraham Lincoln’s merciful heart through his love for his son, Tad Lincoln.
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