Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 239

Nobody was as passionate about reconciliation between North and South as Lincoln. At one point he was visiting the sick and wounded, and came on a tent with Confederate wounded. Shot-torn in both hips lay Henry L. Benbow, a Confederate Colonel, and according to Colonel Benbow, ‘the President halted beside my bed and held out his hand. I was lying on my back, my hands folded across my breast. Looking him in the face I said, “Mr. President, do you know who it is to whom you offer your hand?” “I do not,” he replied. I said, “You offer it to a Confederate colonel who has fought you as hard as he could for four years!” “Well,” said he, “I hope a Confederate colonel will not refuse me his hand.” “No sir,” I replied, “I will not,” and I clasped his hand in both of mine.'