During the American Civil War, a young man named Roswell McIntyre was drafted
into the New York Cavalry. The war was not going well. Soldiers were needed so
desperately, that he was sent into battle with very little training. Roswell
became frightened -- he panicked and ran. He was later court-martialed and
condemned to be shot for desertion.
McIntyre's mother appealed to President Lincoln. She pleaded that he was young
and inexperienced and he needed a second chance. The generals, however, urged
the president to enforce discipline. Exceptions, they asserted, would undermine
the discipline of an already beleaguered army.
Lincoln thought and prayed. Then he wrote a famous statement. "I have observed,"
he said, "that it never does a boy much good to shoot him." He wrote this letter
in his own handwriting: "This letter will certify that Roswell McIntyre is to be
readmitted into the New York Cavalry. When he serves out his required
enlistment, he will be freed of any charges of desertion."
That faded letter, signed by the president, is on display in the Library of
Congress. Beside it there is a note which reads, "This letter was taken from the
body of Roswell McIntyre, who died at the battle of Little Five Forks,
Virginia."
It never does a boy (or anybody else for that matter) much good to shoot him.
But you might be surprised at the power of forgiveness.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
Thanks to Tidbits champ@midsouth.rr.com
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