He was at that time talking of the sanitary condition of the army; the relation of food to health, and the influence of the special-diet kitchen system in restoring the soldiers to health, and its effect in lessening the number of furloughs.
I, too, talked earnestly; as, while pushing the work of the special-diet kitchens, I believed most heartily in furloughs.
But earnest as I was, I was exceedingly anxious to know the contents of that telegram.
There was during that interview, that far away look in his eyes, that those seeing could never forget.
At last he paused and took up the despatch, and after looking over it read it aloud.
“This is good news indeed,” he said, and a smile lit up his rugged features as he went on with his comments.
“This Sheridan,” he said, “is a little Irishman, but he is a big fighter.”
Soon after I arose to take my leave. He, too, arose and stood like a giant before me, as he extended his hand, and said, “Well, success to you. Come in again.”
I did not realize his greatness at that time, but now all the world knows that Abraham Lincoln will stand out a colossal figure as long as American history is read. A thousand years will not dim the lustre of his name or fame.
When his armies were pushed back till they built their camp-fires under the shadow of the nation’s Capitol, and treason glared at him from the near palaces, and the ship of state rocked in the trough of the waves of civil war and social revolution, he stood firm and strong at the helm, with calm, unwavering trust in God. In a rougher mould, he possessed the majesty of a Clay, the sagacity of a Franklin, the wit of a Ben Jonson, the benevolence of a Howard, and the social qualities of the Adamses. No heart in all the land throbbed with a truer, kindlier charity towards all, than did the great heart of Abraham Lincoln when the assassin’s bullet stopped its generous beating. Among philanthropists, in all ages, Lincoln will stand out as The Great Emancipator, who brought liberty to an enslaved and cruelly wronged race; and Right will laurel-crown him as a martyr.