Dr. Jerome Walker, of Brooklyn, told how Mr. Lincoln once administered
to him a mild rebuke. The doctor was showing Mr. Lincoln through the
hospital at City Point.
“Finally, after visiting the wards occupied by our invalid and
convalescing soldiers,” said Dr. Walker, “we came to three wards
occupied by sick and wounded Southern prisoners. With a feeling of
patriotic duty, I said: ‘Mr. President, you won’t want to go in there;
they are only rebels.’
“I will never forget how he stopped and gently laid his large hand upon
my shoulder and quietly answered, ‘You mean Confederates!’ And I have
meant Confederates ever since.
“There was nothing left for me to do after the President’s remark but to
go with him through these three wards; and I could not see but that he
was just as kind, his hand-shakings just as hearty, his interest just as
real for the welfare of the men, as when he was among our own soldiers.”