Lincoln (taking the paper): It's a horrible part of the business, Grant. Any shootings?
Grant: One.
Lincoln: Damn it, Grant, why can't you do without it? No, no, of course not? Who is it?
Grant: Malins.
Malins (opening a book): William Scott, sir. It's rather a hard case.
Lincoln: What is it?
Malins: He had just done a heavy march, sir, and volunteered for double guard duty to relieve a sick friend. He was found asleep at his post.
He shuts the book.
Grant: I was anxious to spare him. But it couldn't be done. It was a critical place, at a gravely critical time.
Lincoln: When is it to be?