Lincoln, the Forgiving Foe by General John B. Castleman: Lincoln Memorial Dedication Ceremony, November 10, 1911

Crowd hearing President Taft's Speech on Steps leading to Lincoln Memorial
1911

Gen. Castleman Speaks
The Courier-Journal
November, 10, 1911

[Article transcribed]

General Castleman Speaks

Gen. John B Castleman delivered the final address. His subject was "Lincoln, the Forgiving Foe." Mr. Folk, in introducing Gen. Castleman, called attention to the fact that he had fought under the stars and bars during the Civil War, and, later, during the war with Spain, he had fought under the stars and stripes.

Asserting that he did not know until this morning that he was to be called upon to speak, Gen. Castleman said the occasion was too sacred for one to participate in without first having prepared himself. He said Mr. Collier had called upon him, however, and that any Kentuckian of the worth of the publisher of Collier's Weekly could never refuse to comply with his request, if possible, or at least to make the effort.

"Even if Robert Collier could not induce me to attempt a thing that I feared I might not be able to carry out, the memory of his father would," Gen. Castleman said.

Getting down to his subject, Gen. Castleman, without mentioning names, related a story of how Lincoln had intervened in behalf of a young Confederate soldier who was in grave danger of execution at the hands of the "Yankees." The sister and brother-in-law of the young soldier had appealed to Lincoln, he said, and the latter, after listening to their story, wrote an order to Maj. Gen. Hovey, instructing him to suspend execution in case the Confederate youth was found guilty.

Some one among those on the speakers' platform called upon Gen. Castleman to give the name of the young solder, be he refused. Gov. Wilson then announced so that all could hear, that the name of the soldier was John B. Castleman, and the requested President Taft to read the original order to Maj. Gen. Hovey, which Gen. Castleman held in his hand. The President complied setting at rest all doubt as to the identity of the young Confederate soldier, whose life probably was spared by the intervention of President Lincoln.

Notable Personages Who Took Park In Lincoln Farm Memorial Dedication Exercises
The Courier-Journal
November 10, 1911

Gen. Castleman related other instances illustrative of the forgiving spirit of Lincoln. He said the martyred President had set an example that had been followed by many of his successors in office, in support of which statement he pointed to the fact that Gen. Basil W. Duke, who fought for the South, is now a member of the Shiloh Battlefield Commission.

Instancing the good Lincoln's attitude toward those who fought against the North, coupled that of later Presidents who folloed in the "Emancipator's" footsteps, had brought about, Gen. Castleman told how Confederate solders all over the South responsed to McKinley's call for 200,000 volunteers when the blowing up of the Maine made the war with Spain inevitable.

"President McKinley called for 200,000 volunteers," he said, "and 1,000,000 men responded, the Confederate soldiers all over the South entering instantly the service of the country."

In this connection, Gen. Castleman said that the first regiment that offered its service to the Government was a Kentucky regiment and was commanded by a Confederate soldier. He was called upon to give the name of the commander of that regiment, and when he hesitated someone again answered for him, informing the assemblage that the commander referred to was Gen. Castleman.

Source: [Gen. Castleman Speaks, The Courier-Journal, November, 10, 1911]

Abraham Lincoln saves John B. Castleman

Regarding the above letter, John B Castleman wrote:

"I did not know until 1877 that in November, 1864, Judge Breckinridge had, in my behalf, made a visit to President Lincoln."

After talking to Samuel for awhile Abraham Lincoln said, "In fifteen minutes we have a Cabinet meeting and I will give you now in the strictest confidence a note only to be used in case of emergency. Meantime, from what I learn, it would be best to have that boy's attorneys endeavor to postpone the trial, for those young Confederates have caused the government annoyances and expense."

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Abraham Lincoln
16th President of the United States of America

(Letter transcribed)

Executive Mansion, Washington, November 29, 1864.

Major General Hovey, or Whomsoever may have charge:

Whenever John B. Castleman shall be tried, if convicted and sentenced, suspend execution until further order from me, and send me the record.

A. LINCOLN.

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General Castleman, wrote "Abraham Lincoln was tolerant and tactful, and unflinching. It is of small public interest that the writer owes his life to this great man. This will be mentioned further on, and is of no importance other than as exemplification of the greatness of Lincoln in dealing always with the smallest detail which involved the welfare of individuals, even midst tremendous public responsibilities."

Monument: 7 more things to know about John Breckinridge Castleman

1. Thomas Jefferson's mother was the sister of John B. Castleman's great-grandmother, Susanna Randolph.
   
   

   

   Mary Hopkins Cabell Breckinridge
   "Grandma Black Cap"
2. When visiting with Mary Hopkins Cabell Breckinridge he would often hear her talk about her late husband John Breckinridge. Very often did he hear her say: "My son, 'twas in this office that my husband would write to Tom Jefferson and to his other friends and it was here that my husband wrote the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798."
   
   

   

   Honorable Robert Letcher
   15th Governor of Kentucky

3. In 1853, John B. Castleman attended a political debate at a small Indian fort at Cabell's Dale. The debate was between John Cabell Breckinridge and the Honorable Ronald Letcher, Governor of Kentucky.
   
   "I understood little of the controversy between the Whigs and the Democrats, but was impressed by the enthusiasm of the great crowd and by the wonderful voice and graceful manner of Major Breckinridge.
   
   From miles around a great throng of people came to listen to the debate. Interest in young Breckinridge was remarkable, and to me everyone seemed to favor and to cheer him. When the debate was finished, he held me by the hand, and together we walked through the multitude.
4. In 1857, as a 16-year-old boy, he entered his horse "Lightfoot" into the exhibition at the United States Fair.  There were thirty-five exhibitors in this "Saddle Class." He won first prize, a blue-ribbon, and a check.
   
   

   

   Abraham Lincoln
5. John B. Castleman said he "owed his life" to Abraham Lincoln.
   
   General Castleman wrote, "Abraham Lincoln was tolerant and tactful, and unflinching. It is of small public interest that the writer owes his life to this great man. This will be mentioned further on, and is of no importance other than as exemplification of the greatness of Lincoln in dealing always with the smallest detail which involved the welfare of individuals, even midst tremendous public responsibilities."
6. His father's first wife, Mary Breckinridge Castleman died in 1816. Her brother was Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge, was a staunch Unionist and Presbyterian preacher.
   
   During the Civil War, Kentucky Presbyterian minister Robert J. Breckinridge was an important advisor to President Abraham Lincoln.
   
   John B. Castleman wrote:
   "Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge was, in his day, recognized and designated as "The Napoleon of the Pulpit." Whenever it was known that he was to preach, no church where this gifted orator and intense controversialist spoke could hold the crowds that sought to listen to his persuasive eloquence. In after years this able and many-sided man presided as temporary chairman over the National Republican Convention that met in Baltimore in 1864 and nominated Abraham Lincoln for a second term.
   
   
   
   
7. In November 1864, Samuel Breckinridge made a visit to President Abraham Lincoln on behalf of John Breckinridge Castleman. At the meeting Lincoln gave Samuel a letter to be used in an emergency if needed.
   
   
   
   Nov. 29. 1864, Abraham Lincoln to Alvin P. Hovey
   
   "Executive Mansion, Washington, November 29, 1864.
   Major General Hovey, or Whomsoever may have charge:
   Whenever John B. Castleman shall be tried, if convicted and sentenced, suspend execution until further order from me, and send me the record.
   
   A. LINCOLN."

Major General Alvin P. Hovey

.