“A couple of aged, plain country people, poorly clad, but with frank
open countenances, now came forward. ‘Now is your time, dear,’ said
the husband, as the President dismissed the one preceding them. The
lady stepped forward, made a low courtesy, and said, ‘Mr. President.’
“Mr. Lincoln, looking over his spectacles, fixed those gray, piercing,
yet mild eyes upon her, then lifting his head and extending his hand,
he said, in the kindest tones: ‘Well, good lady, what can I do for you?’
“‘Mr. President,’ she resumed, ‘I feel so embarrassed I can hardly
speak. I never spoke to a President before; but I am a good Union woman
down in Maryland, and my son is wounded badly, and in the hospital, and
I have been trying to get him out, but somehow couldn’t, and they said
I had better come right to you. When the war first broke out I gave my
son first to God, and then told him he might go fight the Rebels; and
now if you will let me take him home I will nurse him up, and just as
soon as he gets well enough he shall go right back and help put down
the rebellion. He is a good boy, and don’t want to shirk the service.’
“I was looking full in Mr. Lincoln’s face. I saw the tears gathering in
his eyes, and his lips quivered as he replied:
“‘Yes, yes, God bless you! you shall have your son. What hospital did
you say?’ It seemed a relief to him to turn aside and write a few
words, which he handed to the woman, saying: ‘There, give that to ----;
and you will get your son, if he is able to go home with you.’
“‘God bless you, Mr. President!’ said the father, the only words he had
uttered; and the mother, making a low courtesy, fairly sobbed: ‘O sir,
we are so much obliged to you.’ ‘Yes, yes; all right; and you will find
that _that_ will bring him,’ was spoken in tones so kindly and tender,
that they have often since thrilled my memory.”