Lincoln's Trip-- Part 14: "Who Goes There?" "Abraham Lincoln"

As the large party approached the camp of the 130th Ohio, a sentry yelled out "Who goes there?"  A voice from the group answered "Abraham Lincoln."

For the rest of his life, that sentry, Fred Balmos was sure that it was Abraham Lincoln himself who answered.  He, needless to say, told the story often.

According to Dana Fox, the group, led by Gen. Butler, dined at a point on the Appomattox River called the Point of Rocks and afterwards, took a boat on the river and went to City Point where the president met with General Grant.

Grant didn't have much conclusive information for his president at this point of the campaign.  Horace Porter, years later, recalled Lincoln as saying:  I cannot pretend to advise, but I do sincerely hope that all may be accomplished with as little bloodshed as possible."

It turned out the rest of the operations outside weren't without some bloodshed, but at least it was not as bad as those casualties during the just-ended Overland Campaign.

The Guy Who Challenged Abe.  --Old B-Runner