And now we have lost the best, the
fairest, the truest man in America. Take him altogether, he was the
best man this country ever produced. It was quite a while I thought
very different; but some time before the murder, that's the way I have
seen it." There was deep earnestness in the soldier. (I found upon
further talk he had known Mr. Lincoln personally, and quite closely,
years before.) He was a veteran; was now in the fifth year of his
service; was a cavalry man, and had been in a good deal of hard
fighting.
TWO BROTHERS, ONE SOUTH, ONE NORTH
_May 28-9_.--I staid to-night a long time by the bedside of a new
patient, a young Baltimorean, aged about 19 years, W. S. P., (2d
Maryland, southern,) very feeble, right leg amputated, can't sleep
hardly at all--has taken a great deal of morphine, which, as usual,
is costing more than it comes to. Evidently very intelligent and well
bred--very affectionate--held on to my hand, and put it by his face,
not willing to let me leave. As I was lingering, soothing him in his
pain, he says to me suddenly, "I hardly think you know who I am--I
don't wish to impose upon you--I am a rebel soldier." I said I did not
know that, but it made no difference. Visiting him daily for about two
weeks after that, while he lived, (death had mark'd him, and he was
quite alone,) I loved him much, always kiss'd him, and he did me. In
an adjoining ward I found his brother, an officer of rank, a Union
soldier, a brave and religious man, (Col.
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