Lt.BenjaminLoring(1824-1902)livedthelifeofaneverymanCivilWarsailor.Hecommandednoarmiesanddevisednograndstrategies.Loringwasasailorwhojustwantedtoreturnhome,wherethebiggeststoryofhislifeawaitedhim.CoveringalmostayearofLoring’sservice,IHeldLincolndescribesthelieutenant’scommandofthegunboatUSSWave,theBattleofCalcasieuPass,thesurrenderofhisship,andhiscapturebytheConfederates.HewasincarceratedinCampGroce,adeadlyConfederateprisonwhereheenduredhorrificconditionsandabuse.Loringattemptedtoescape,evadingcapturefortendaysbehindenemylines,onlytoberecapturedjustafewmilesfromfreedom.Afteranarduoussecondescape,hefinallyreachedthesafetyofUnionlinesandgainedhisfreedom.OnthenightofApril14,1865,LoringattendedFord’sTheaterandwitnessedoneofthesinglemosttragiceventsinAmericanhistory:theassassinationofPresidentAbrahamLincoln.Aftertheshotrangout,Loringclimbedintothepresidentialboxandassistedthedyingpresident,helpingtocarryhimacrossthestreettothePetersonHouse.UsingLoring’srecentlydiscoveredprivatejournal,RichardE.Questtellsthisastonishingnow-recoveredstory,givinginsightintoalittle-knownConfederateprisoncampduringthelastdaysoftheCivilWarandprovidingmuch-deservedrecognitiontoamanwhosejourneywasnearlylosttoAmericanhistory.
