South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-08-27

wA., Homes: Ola Abe raIa a Bal.. Dsles. doa.

met Mr.. James McDougal, lum-
Der merchant Of Baltimore of high
re.pectability, relative of Mrs. 3. j.
McGrann OF Lancaster, and one of
the genial class OF Springs visitors
who become generally known and
popular. Mr.. McDougai has been an
ardent Republican, demoniac con-
dition he reached after starting in life
rs an Old Line Wing, and passing
thence through the purgatory of Doug
las Democracy. Mr.. McDougal lost
forty thousand and some odd dollars
by the rebellion, circumstance which
may account for some ofhis bitterness
against the rebels. They say he was
III danger of being lynehcd in the I'M
patriotic atmosphere of Baltimore in
the earlier days of the rebellion, a
fact which l can readily believe, for
he is evidently brim full Of strong
opinions and plain language and has
no disposition to check the overflow.
He told me something which you will
be glad to hear and which am sur
prised that we never read before.
When Mr.. Lincoln issued his Ernan-
cipation proclamation-I believe that
WAS the occaSion--a deputation OF cit
liens from Baltimore went on to
Washington to congratulate him.
Mr.. McDougal was of the number.
They speedily got through with their
addresses at the White House, and
were about to leave, with the declara-
ton that they would not further tres
pass upon the Presidents valuable
time.
Take seats, boys, take Seats ex-
claimed Mr.. Lincoln, "a he rang for
chairs to be brought in, 1t would be
strange II could not spare half hour
or al hour for conversation with
friends who have come from Balti-
more t.. see me-
And the visitors sat down and spent
nearly al hour in conversation. Pres
entity The subjects ofgencrals came up
and various opinions were expressed
as TO who was the ablest officer on
our side When n great many opin-
ions Ind been given, Mr.. Lincoln
said
Gentlemen, in my judgment, you
have not struck the right man yet
And of course all were anxious to
hear him name the man and asked
him to do SO. He said:
TT is General Hancock
The countenance of his visitors ex-
pressed their surprise and one of them
ventured to say that he feared Han
Geek was too rash.
yes said Mr.. Lincoln, so some of
tho older generals have said to me,
and l have said to them that / have
watched General Hancock's conduct
worry carefully, and I have found that
when he goes into action he achieves
his purpose and comes out with a
smaller list OF casualties than any OF
them. Bold he is, but not rash
Why, gentlemen, do you know what
his record was at West Point p
And Mr.. Lincoln went to his book
shelf and, taking down AN army regis
| ter, showed the position in which
Hancock had graduated, and that,
furthermore, IN class that was one
Oft the most distinguished that had ever
graduated at the military academy.
Continuing to speak Of him in the
highest terms, he further said:
4 tell you, gentlemen, that if his
life and strength are spared, believe
General Hancock Is destined to be
one OF the most distinguished men Of
the age. Why, when / go down in
the morning 10 open my maitland 1
arise Mt four o'cloclt--I declare that
do it in fear and trembling lest may
hear that Hancock has been killed or
wounded.
Was not that 4 remarkable MARIA
tive 20 take from an absolutely trust
worthy source 10 tho quiet valley by
tho Bedford Springs, and is it not a
waving plume III HarcoclS's bat2 Mr..
I Lincoln's prediction comes true III this
hour that finds Hancock 10 tie SUM
nit Of his highest possible ambition
AMI bis estimate Of him has come to
be shared by every Intelligent reader
q The great letter 20 Sherman, which
appears, cOincidcut with Lincoiu'e
stamp, % fasten upon him the highest
fame.
I