The One Minute Apology

The Legacy you leave is the one you live

          Colonel Scott was one of the commanders of the troops guarding the capitol from attack y the Conederate forces in Northern Vigrginia.  Sott's wife had drowne in a steamship collision while returning home after a journey to Washington  to nurse her sick husband.  Scott had appealed to regimental command for leave to attend her burial and comfort his children .  his request had been rejected as a battle seemed imminent and every officer was essential.  But Scott, as wwas his right, had pressed his  request up the chain of command, untill it reached the secretary of War, Edwin Stanton.  Since Stanton had also rejected the request, the Colonel had taken his apeal all the way to the highest authority.

          

           Soctt went to his Commander in Chief in the Presidential Office late on a saturday night.  He was allowed in as the last visitor.  Lincoln listened to the story and as Scott recalled, the President exploded,"Am I to have no rest? is there no hour or spot When do you follow me here with such business as this? why do you not go to the War office which is in charge of all matters of papers and transportation?"

           

           Scott told Lincoln of Stanton's refusal, and the Presiden replied, "then you probaly ought not to go down the river.  Mr. Stanton knows all about the necessities of the hour.  He knows the rules which are necesary, and the rules are made to be enforcd.  It would be wrong of me to override his rules and decisions of this kind: it migh work disaster to iportant movements.  And then, you ought to remember that I have other duties to attend to heaven knows, enoug for onef man and i can give no thougt to questions of this kind.  Why do you come here to appeal to m humanity?  Don't yo known that we are in the midst kof the war? there is sufffering and death pressing upon all of us.  Works of humanity and affection,, which we cheerully perform in days of peace are  all tramkpled upon and outawed b war and that there is rooms left for those endearing things.  There  is but one duty now-fight"

            "Every family in the land is crushed with sorrow; but they must not each come to me for help  I have ll the burdens i can carry  Go to the war department.  Your businness belongs there .  If they cannot help you then bear your burden, as we all must, untill this war is over. Everything must yield to the paramount duty of finishing this war."

          Colonel Scott returned to his barrack , pondering over Lincoln's words: 'Am I to have no  rest? why do you follow me here with such business as this?...You ought to rmember that i have other dutie to attend to heaven knows, enough for one man... I have all the burden I can carry'

          Early the next morning, colonel Scott heard a rap at the door.  He opened it and there stood the President.  He took Scott's hands, held the and broken out: " My dear Colonel, I was a brute last night.  I have no excuse to offer.  I was weary to the last extent, but I had o right to treat a man with rudeness who has offered his life to his country, much more a man in great affliction.  I have had a regretful night and now come to beg our forgiveness.

          He said he had arranged with Stanton for Scott to go to his wife's funeral.  in his own carriage the Comander-in-chief took the Colonel to the steamer wharf of the Potomac and whished him Godspeed.