Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>SUSPENSION IS NOT EXECUTION.</h3> <p>Among those generals--amateurs, like the President, themselves--who disapproved of any leniency in discipline, was Major-general Benjamin F. Butler. He wrote to his commander-in-chief so impudent an epistle as the annexed:</p> <p>"MR. PRESIDENT: I pray you not to interfere with the court-martial of this army. (<i>His</i>, of course--his skill was discoursed upon by General Grant, who said that Butler had "corked himself up.") You will destroy all discipline among the soldiers."</p> <p>But in the teeth of this embargo, moved by the entreaties of an old father whose son was under death sentence by this despot, he said:</p> <p>"Butler or no Butler, here goes!" and, seizing his pen, wrote that the soldier in prison was not to be shot until further orders.</p> <p>The affected parent eagerly took the precious paper, but his jaw fell on seeing the text: he had looked for a full pardon. But the comforter hastened to explain:</p> <p>"Well, my old friend, I see that you are not very well acquainted with me. If your son never looks upon death till further orders from me to shoot him, he will live to be a great deal older than Methuselah." <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />