“It is no use, president; wherever I go,” said an officer appointed to enforce the draft, “I find the houses shut up, and the bird flown.” “I see,” said the president, “they are afraid of the draft.”
The best saddles.
There was a dispute at Washington about which were the best saddles for the Federal Cavalry. Lincoln said “the best saddles were decidedly saddles of mutton.”
An offer rejected.
When Blondin was performing his daring feats at Niagara, he asked Lincoln “if he would mind trusting himself on his back.” The answer was somewhat prophetic, and as follows: “I shall not trust your rope!” (Europe).
A decided smasher.
“That paper must be rigorously dealt with,” said Welles. “I have already,” said Lincoln “contrived to divide America, and you now want me to smash the Globe!”
Artillery Practice.
When is was reported that General Blunt had let the rebel cavalry escape. The President remarked to the Chief of the War Department, that “the appointment of such a man was a piece of folly, for how could it be expected that Blunt could be Sharp.”