49. The young Civil War soldier

President Lincoln and the Young Civil War Soldier A true and inspirational tale.

President Abraham Lincoln often visited hospitals to talk with wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Once, doctors pointed out a young soldier who was near death and Lincoln went over to his bedside.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" asked the President.

The soldier obviously didn't recognize Lincoln, and with some effort he was able to whisper, "Would you please write a letter to my mother?"

A pen and paper were provided and the President carefully began writing down what the young man was able to say:

"My dearest mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty. I'm afraid I'm not going to recover. Don't grieve too much for me, please. Kiss Mary and John for me. May God bless you and father."

The soldier was too weak to continue, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and added, "Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln."

The young man asked to see the note and was astonished when he discovered who had written it. "Are you really the President?" he asked.

"Yes I am," Lincoln replied quietly. Then he asked if there was anything else he could do.

"Would you please hold my hand?" the soldier asked. "It will help to see me through to the end."

In the hushed room, the tall gaunt President took the boy's hand in his and spoke warm words of encouragement until death came.

By The Best of Bits & Pieces from A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

46. Abe Lincoln never quit

Abraham Lincoln Didn't Quit a great example of persistence

"The sense of obligation to continue is present in all of us. A duty to strive is the duty of us all. I felt a call to that duty."

Abraham Lincoln

Probably the greatest example of persistence is Abraham Lincoln. If you want to learn about somebody who didn't quit, look no further.

Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown. He could have quit many times---but he didn't and because he didn't quit, he became one of the greatest presidents in the history of our country. Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln's road to the White House...

1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them. 1818 His mother died 1831 Failed in business 1832 Ran for state legislature - LOST. 1832 Also lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn't get in. 1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business & by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt. 1834 Ran for state legislature again - WON 1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken. 1836 Had a total nervous breakdown & was in bed for six months. 1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - DEFEATED 1840 Sought to become elector - DEFEATED 1843 Ran for Congress - LOST 1846 Ran for Congress again - this time he WON 1848 Ran for reelection to Congress - LOST 1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state. - REJECTED 1854 Ran for Senate of the United State - LOST 1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party's national convention - got less than 100 votes - LOST 1858 Ran for U. S. Senate again - LOST 1860 Elected president of the United States!

As you can see Mr. Lincoln never gave up, don't you!

45. Loving, caring, children

Loving Children a moving story of a caring child

The Most Caring Child Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

from Homer S. Sewell III, aka Abraham Lincoln

43. Abe was the first to...

Abe was the First, Most, Best... more ways that Lincoln was a unique man

Republican president
Tallest president
First to grow a beard
First president to be put on an American coin. The 1909 penny on the

occassion of his 100th birthday. There had been Indians on the pennies ahead of Mr. Lincoln. The only president to hold a patent on anything. ABE was issued a patent in 1849 for a device to lift boats up out of the shallows. The first president to be assassinated

42. On the wings of an eagle

On Wings of an Eagle a poem by Homer S. Sewell III

On wings of an eagle I can fly into the sunset. I can become someone special. I can love someone special.

On wings of an eagle I will touch someone's life today. I have NO limits on who I can become On wings of an eagle.

I will read lots of good books. I will have respect for myself, parents, teachers And all those around me. I will stay away from drugs, alcohol, tobacco and violence. I know I can fly to the moon and back On wings of an eagle.

written by Homer S. Sewell III, aka Abraham Lincoln

41. The origin of "Taps"

The Origin of Taps a moving story of Capt. Ellicombe's Confederate son

Capt. Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moan of a soldier who lay mortally wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union, or Confederate soldier, the captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The captain lit a lantern. Suddenly, he caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, he enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was partially granted. The captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

Out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him one musician. The captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of his dead son's uniform.

This music was the haunting melody we now know as "Taps" that is used at all military funerals. In case you are interested, these are the words to "Taps":

"Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh."

40. Lincoln and education

Lincoln and Education a quote from the real Abe on the subject of education

"Upon the subject of education, . . . I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in . . . For my part, I desire to see the time when education, and by its means, morality, sobriety, enterprise and industry, shall become much more general than at present, and should be gratified to have it in my power to contribute something to the advancement of any measure which might have a tendency to accelerate the happy period."

Abraham Lincoln 3/9/1832