Playing to an extreme base: the counterbalance Part 2

... And inside that tent, among the all those sick and wounded Rebs was one Henry L. Benbow, a colonel in the 23rd South Carolina Infantry.

Colonel Benbow takes up the story, 'I was lying on my cot with my hands folded across my breast when the president extended his hand toward me.'

“Sir,” I said, “do you realize who it is to whom you offer your hand?”

“No, I do not,” he answered.

“Well, you offer your hand to a Confederate colonel who has fought you as hard as he could for four long years!” 

“Well, I hope a Confederate colonel will not refuse me his hand.”

“No, sir, I will not,” and I clasped his hand in both of mine.”’