The following extract is from a private letter dated Washington, published in the Advertiser. It illustrates the warm and generous sympathies of the President:
“That night I left the fortress, and got Worden safe home in Washington City, when leaving him to the care of my wife, I went with the Secretary to the President and gave him the particulars of the engagement. As soon as I had done, Mr. Lincoln said, ‘Gentlemen, I am going to shake hands with that man,’ and presently he walked around with me to our little house.
“I led him up stairs to the room where Worden was lying with fresh bandages over his eyes and face, and said, ‘Jack, here’s the President, who has come to see you.’ He raised himself on his elbow, as Mr. Lincoln took him by the hand and said, ‘you do me great honor Mr. President, and I am only sorry that I can’t see you.’ The President was visibly affected, as, with tall frame and earnest gaze, he bent over his wounded subordinate; but after a pause, he said, with a quiver in the tones of his voice, ‘you have done me more honor, sir, that I can ever do to you.’ He then sat down, while Worden gave him an account of the battle, and on leaving, he promised, if he could legally do so, that he would make him a captain.”
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 1, 1862, p. 2
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