"'I was, sir.'
"'Let me see your discharge.'
"I gave it to him. He looked it over, then said: 'Were you ever wounded?' I told him yes, at the battle of Williamsburg, May 5, 1861.
"He then said: 'I think we can give this position to a soldier who has lost an arm or leg, he being more deserving;' and he then said I looked hearty and healthy enough to serve three years more. He would not give me a chance to argue my case.
"The audience was at an end. He waved his hand to me. I was then dismissed from the august presence of the Honorable Secretary of War.
"My father was waiting for me in the hallway, who saw by my countenance that I was not successful. I said to my father:
"'Let us go over to Mr. Lincoln; he may give us more satisfaction.'
"He said it would do me no good, but we went over. Mr. Lincoln's reception room was full of ladies and gentlemen when we entered.
"My turn soon came. Lincoln turned to my father and said: