The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-05-20

cOIn-ImDenHifU Of "OId ALe {"
im LenDfheninO II.
An Eye Witness I'm the Boston Times.
We were at HarrisOn's Landing af-
ter the seven days fight, and, rs may
be imagined, felt pretty badly.
True, the final and bloody repulse
of the rebels at Malvern Hill had
cheered us up somewhat, but it was
plain to enlisted men as we'll as Off.
GERS that the occupation of Rich
mond would have to he deferred for
Il long time.
1t was during our first week Occu-
patton of this prehistoric spot that |
enjoyed the first and only opportunity
| ever had of seeing President Lin.
coin, who visited the army shortly
after its arrival i'm order to ascertain
its exact condition and decide upon
its future movements.
AS the writer Of this was the Or
derby of Maj. Gen. Sumner, whose
guest the president was during his
brief stay, he had more than Ordi-
narily good advantages for observing
his peculiaritics. which, IL is needless
to say. he improved to the utmost.
What first impressed me about
President Lincoln was the excessive
awkwardnesS of his figure and the
fact that his clothes didn't seem to
fit him. Tall, gaunt and umgainly.
he certainly looked like rail-splitter
going about in his Sunday suit. or an
undertaken temporarily out of bust.
ness. This latter resemblance was
intensified by the melancholy charac.
ter of his features and the coat, vest
and trousers of funeral black in
which he was habitually attired. The
expression of his face was IN odd
mingling of shrewdness. sagacity and
native kindiiness ; and, despite it's
sadness, there continually lurked
about corners of his mouth CLEANS
or quaint humor of which none of
his pictures give the slightest indica-
tiun.
Mr.. Lincoln wore what is COM
monty called plug hat, and although
it may have only been of conven-
tional length. it appeared to me ex-
traordinarily tall. Although it may
be well doubted if any other species
of hat would have better become
him, | remember thinking at the
time that the stOvepipe added greatly
to the oddness and grotesqurie of his
The troops were to he reviewed on
the day of his arrival, and l remem.
thn Nnnnrnl much
picked us to the character of the
President mount, and finally con-
suited him rs to the kind of charger
he would prefer. / remember his
answer as plainly as if it were only
yesterday.
General" said he, any kind of
a quiet beast will do. l don't think
l was cut out for a cavalryman, and
l am afrid Il high.spirited war-steed
might prove little too much for me-"
In the Generals stud was a little
SOrrel mare called Bonnie, the soul of
gentleness and good temper, and he
at once proposed her for Mr.. Lin
coins use.
"All right" said the President, Il
guess the mare will suit me to a II;
besides, among horses, that sex Is
much the easiest to manage. This
remark, however," he added. with
sly twinkle in his eye, does not hold
good of humanity"
When Mr.. Lincoln was mounted on
Bonnie his appearance was more pc.
culiar than fourteen hands high, and
so great was the length of the Presi.
dents legs that once fairly settled in
his saddle his feet nearly touched the
ground. AS he ruefully remarked,
CHANGING ut his extremities, eff was
only two inches longer, l think I'd
get off and walk"
Mounted by his side on splendid
stallion, prancing and rearing, and
by brilliant staff, Gen.
Sumner looked like veritable caya-
lier of old, while the chief magis.
trate of the republic, by comparison,
had the appearance of some quiet
country parson who in rambling to
morning service, had fallen among
military men by mistake.
However. the enthusiasm Of the
men for the plain.looking civilian
was tremendous, and the President
was much pleased with the review.
Particularly was he delighted with
the spirit of the troops, which was
evidently much better than he had
expected.
AS he rode back he said to the Gen.
eral, gleefully, 1.-THE boys seem as if
they were willing to go in again to
morrow" a sentiment to which that
officer assented.
After our return to camp the Presi-
dent dined heartily. and towards
evening went away to visit some
other Generals.
1t was about 8 o'clock and getting
dark when Gen. Sumner ordered me
te send his colored servant to him.
This was a sprightly contraband whom
the men had christened StOnewall
Jackson, but on the present occasion
Stonewall belied the promptness of
his namesake and was not fOrthcom-
ing.
As it turned out afterwards, he
had been attracted 10y the playing of
the bands of some New York regi.
ments about quarter of Il mile on
our right, and of course could not
leave while there was a horn blow.
ing.
/ saw the General was getting anx-
ious, and finally he spoke:
Davis" said he, do you know
how to make a bed o.
I confessed that my experience in
that line was somew hat limited.
$50 is mine," said he, "but some.
thing must be done. / am expecting
the President every moment, and he
retires early. AS that black rascal
hasn,t tnrnad nm / sunr,0sa Wa muat