Selected Correspondance of Abraham Lincoln 1863 Telegram To Officer In Command At Nashville
by Abraham Lincoln
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 11,1863.
OFFICER IN COMMAND at Nashville, Tenn:
Is there a soldier by the name of John R. Minnick of Wynkoop's
cavalry under sentence of death, by a court-martial or military
commission, in Nashville? And if so what was his offense, and when
is he to be executed?
A. LINCOLN.
If necessary let the execution be staid till I can be heard from
again.
A. LINCOLN.
[President Lincoln sent many telegrams similar in form to this one in
order to avoid tiresome repetition the editor has omitted all those
without especial interest. Hardly a day went by that there were not
people in the White House begging mercy for a sentenced soldier. A
mother one day, pleaded with Lincoln to remit the sentence of
execution on her son. "I don't think it will do him a bit of good"
said Mr. Lincoln--"Pardoned." D.W.]
