by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Produced by the French Pathe firm, this one-reel historical drama may well have been the first filming of one of the most famous legends arising from the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. At the height of the Civil War, a young Union sentry falls asleep while on duty. For this dereliction, he is arrested and sentenced to be shot. The sentry's careworn mother heads to the White House, where she pleads with President Lincoln to spare her son's life. As given away by the film's title, Honest Abe pardons the hapless sentry. The "dramatic" portion of this film was far more convincing than its battle scenes, wherein the soldiers appeared not to know which end of the rifle to shoot.
