New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-31
MIR. LincOIu's BOdy Guard.
To f,s Editor Of The N. y. T,fbunG


| SIR: An article written by Col. c. G.. Hal
pine late Of the United States army. appears in your
issue Of to-day entitled Personal Recoections Of Mr.
Lincoln" in which Lc reflects rather unjusty on the
efficiency ard discipline of the body guard of Mr.. LIN
coin.
Being one Of the many admirers OF the Colonel for his
gentemsnly and sdierly qualities. and for the memory
Of the sutry days passed in the Department Of the Gulf
begued by the comPsuionshp Of Lis facetous friend
Miles OResy will take the liberty Of trying to cor
rect his snfavorsble impression Of the body guard.
During the latter par, Of the Summer Of 1904 when
the Rebel cavalry lowering about Washington.
and the Army OF the Potomac had passed on ts way TO
Upper Maryland Secretary Stanton ordered the late
Gen W ellsworth Chen Military Goyernor ~ Wa shing
toni 10 detail body guard TO escort President Lincoln
10 and from the Soldiers Home the detail was taken
from SCOTS 800 CavalTy" Each and every one OF the
detail had served ia the CrDea or in our Regular Cav
airy on the Western frontier. and for tie satisfaction
OF the Colonel Will here state they were al natives
Of tie dear Green Isle where Miles OReley frs, saw
the light of day.
The writer notwithstanding be Was volunteer COM
mnnded them his only knowledge OF military affairs
having been obtained under the instruction OF Col
Clark Of the 7tn Regiment n. Y. 5. b.. regiment
which the President remarked. when II arrived in
Washington, raised load from biz heart.
Having been connected with The NY. TgDrgg
from boyhood until the 10Th Il April. le6 the writer
never having bee, asiIide Of horse. he was not
ashamed 20 receive instruction in sword practice and
the arr Of horsemansip from these same new hands
that appeared vkward.
The writer is in possession Of written evidence com
mendatory Of the services Of his Guard. which be
cherishes with feelings Of honor and pride.
A gentleman presented the President with hne
roam horse which he had never rode The writer sug
rested il being pleasant September morning that be
ride linn 20 town While on tie way We were met by
Mai Uay who accompanied Us. Willie going down the
Fonrteen.hst road regiment was passing which, see
NO the President began 70 cheer loudly. Maj Hnys
horse became frightened and ran away, but he being
peu lid lorseman was enabled 10 retain bis seat. Tho
President raised his hat the regiment while looking
towards them bis horse became Interchangeable, and
being bothered with high hat, could not rein his
horse. After a chase Of half mile the writer managed
10 reach tie President and was compelled to crowd the
Presidents horse 10 the side Of the road for fear oil
disaster After hating he facctiously remarked: Il
never gave the animal credit for so much speed am
Glad have found il out" He then remarked; cap
tain there are no bones broken: the next thing IL my
hat which. by tie way. he had dropped some han
mile back. When we arrived at the White House ne
found that both his ankles wrenched, which kept
lin lame Tor a week more. The writer sustained
rptue in the size which ncapacitcted him for rough
geryice although be reoned bis regiment and served
until recently. having lately heen honorabiy dis'
charged. .s,..u,,- .
Mfs Lincoln. during most of the FALL was so)ourn'ns
North and On but one occasion rode with the President
willie accompanied by The Guard. The writer most
generally had the pleasure Of conversng With the Pres
ideut except at times when be would read aloud some
sniev charters from Miles OReilley. or AItemus ward
vAcb TO lin were like rain TO the parched grass bu
e CHATTER 0, sabcrs and spurs did not seem 10 disturb
him.
The writer often lad the pleasure Of breaking fast
9TH ,le President while commanding his escort
MANY times have listened 10 our most eloquent
preahers but never with the same feelings OF awe and
reverence 70 when our Christian Prcsidsnti Ills arm
around his son. with he deep earnest tone. each morn
hing read chapter from the Bible.
Unconsciouy have been drawn INTO saying more
than intended; but in memory OF those brave mer
whose bone. are resting in the sunny South have been
compelled 10 correct the unmerted and undeserved i'm
, putaton. A'oLohIkHA
! Hss York May o. 1865
.