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evidently been made upon the President by the strength and pertinacity of the appeal.
As Judge Holt opened the record, he stated that a short time previous Burroughs had attempted to escape from confinement, and was shot dead in the act by the sentinel on guard.
With an expression of relief, Mr. Lincoln rejoined, “I ought to be obliged to him for taking his fate into his own hands; he has saved me a deal of trouble.”
During a brief absence of the President, Judge Holt told me that the atrocities of some of the criminals condemned, surpassed belief.
“A guerilla leader in Missouri,” said he, “by the name of Nichols, was in the habit of filling the ears of wounded Unionists who fell into his hands with gunpowder, setting fire to it, and blowing their heads to pieces.
When captured, a number of human ears were found upon his person.”
Referring to Mr. Lincoln's disposition to pardon or commute the majority of the death sentences, he remarked, “The President is without exception the most tender-hearted man I ever knew.”
Judge Holt, it will be remembered, was called into Mr. Buchanan's cabinet towards the close of his administration.
Glancing around the room,incidentally referring to my errand there,--he said, “This room was the theatre of some very exciting scenes during the last months of Mr. Buchanan's term.”
He spoke, warmly of the courage and fearlessness of Stanton, on those occasions,
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