His master comes along and says to him, 'Why, Pomp, I thought that turtle was dead.' 'Well, he am dead, massa,' says Pompey, 'but the critter don't know enough ter be sensible ob it.' I reckon the Confederacy's dead, but Jeff Davis don't know enough to be sensible of it." A young man in uniform came hurriedly through the private secretary's door and handed the Secretary for War a telegram.

He stood at attention, and the President observed that his face was pale.

Stanton read the message, but gave no sign of its contents.

He turned to the map behind him and traced a line on it with his forefinger.
"Any more news ?" he asked the messenger.
"Nothing official, sir," was the answer.

"But there is a report that General Jackson has been killed in the moment of victory." The officer withdrew and Stanton turned to the President.