Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House

“ [319] Judge?--it is a hard, hard case!” “I will see about that,” replied the representative, putting on his hat; “wait here until I return.” He went immediately to the White House, and fortunately finding Mr. Lincoln alone, they sat down together, and he repeated the old man's story. The President made no demonstration of particular interest until the Judge reached the description of the charge across the bridge, and the wound received. “Do you say,” he interrupted, “that the young man was wounded?” “Yes,” replied the congressman, “badly.” “Then he has shed his blood for his country,” responded Mr. Lincoln, musingly. “Kellogg,” he continued, brightening up, “isn't there something in Scripture about the ‘shedding of blood’ being ‘the remission of sins?’ ” “Guess you are about right there,” replied the Judge. “It is a good ‘point,’ and there is no going behind it,” rejoined the President; and taking up his pen, another “pardon” --this time without “oath,” condition, or reserve — was added to the records of the War Office.

“Among a large number of persons waiting in the room to speak with Mr. Lincoln, on a certain day in November, ‘64, was a small, pale, delicatelooking boy about thirteen years old. The President saw him standing, looking feeble and faint, and said: ‘Come here, my boy, and tell me what you want.’ The boy advanced, placed his hand on the arm of the President's chair, and with bowed ”