BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A presidential pardon prevents a Vermont soldier from facing a firing squad on this day in history in 1861.

It’s the story of the “sleeping sentinel”: Private William Scott of Groton, Vermont. It was the early months of the civil war and Scott was on duty guarding the chain bridge over the Potomac River when he fell asleep.

That was an offense punishable by death.

But on September 7th, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln, swayed by pleas to spare the young soldier, granted a pardon.

Just eight months later, William Scott was mortally wounded in battle.

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