Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1881-05-19
MAKING A BEDFOR MR.. LINCOLN.
Boston Times

MAKING A BED FOR MIX. LINCOLN
Boston Times.l
We were at Harrisons Landing after tn
seven days fight, and as may be imagine
felt pretty badly.
True the final and bloody repulse of tn
q rebels at Malvern Hill had cheered us up
, somewhat, but it was plain to enlisted men a
well as officers that the occupations of Rich
e mond would have to be deferred for lon
, time. 81
1t was during our first weeks ccupatiol
!, of this prehistoric spot that | enjoyed tn
first and only opportunity ever had of see
ing President Lincoln, who visited the arm.
shortly after it's arrival in order to ascertain
it's exact condition and decide upon its futur
movements.
AS the writer of this was the orderly O
: Major-General Sumner, whose guest the Presi
dent was during his brief stay, he had more
: than ordinarily good advantages for observing
his pecularities which, it is needless to say
he improved to the utmost
What first impressed me about President
Lincoln was the excessive awkwardness o1
his figure and the fact that his clothes didn't
seem to fit him. Tall, gaunt and ungainly
he certainly looked like a railsplitter going
about in his Sunday suit, or an undertaken
temporarily out of business. This latter re-
semblance was intensified by the melancholy
character of his features and the coat, vest
and trousers of funeral black in which he
was habitually attired. The expression of
his face was an odd mingling of shrewdness,
sagacity, and native kindness; and despite
it's sadness, there continually lurked about
the corners of his mouth CLEANS OF quaint
humor of which none Of his pictures gave the
slightest indication.
Mr. Lincoln wore what was. commonly
called plug hat, and although it may have
only been of conventional lengtht it appeared
to me extraordinarily tall. Although it may
well be doubted if any other species of hat
would have better become him, 4 remember
thinking at the time that the stovepipe adj
ded greatly to the oddness and grotesquerie
OF his appearance.
The troops. were to be reviewed ON the day
of his arrival, and remember the General
was very much perplexed as to the character
of the Presidents mount, and finally consult
ed him as 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. | don't think / was cut out
for cavalryman, and | am afraid high
spirited war-steed might prove q little too
much for me-"
In the Generals stud was q little sorrel
fmare called Bonnie, the soul OF @gcntIeness
and good temper, and he at once proposed
her for Mr.. Lincoln's use.
''All right" said the President: II guess
the mare will suit me to a T; besides among
horses that sex is much the easier to manage.
This remark, however," he added with a
slight twinkle in his eye, docs not hold good
of humanity
When Mr.. Lincoln was mounted Oh Bonnie
his appearance was more peculiar than ever,
The little mare was not more than fourteen
hands high, and so great was the length of
the Presidents legs that once fairly settled
in his saddle his feet nearly touched the
ground. AS he ruefully remarked, glancing
at his extremities, If were only Two inches
longer, l think I'd get off and walk
Mounted by his side on splendid stallion,
prancing and rearing, and surrounded by a
brilliant staff, General Summer looked like
veritable cavalier OF old. while the Chief
Magistrate of the Republic, by comparison,
had the appearance of some quite country
parson who in ambling to morning service
had fallen among military men by mistake.
However, the enthusiasm ofthe men for
the plain-looking civilian was tremendous,
and the President was much peased with
the review. Particularly was hs delighted
with the spirit of the troops, whid was evi-
IDENTIFY much better than he had expected.
AS he rode back he said to tie General,
gleefully, "The boys seem as if they were
willing to 60 in again Tomorrow a senti-
ment to which that officer assentM.
After our return to camp the President
dined heartily and toward evening went |
away visit some other Generals.
It was about 8 o'clock and getting dark,
when General Sumner orderedme to send his
colored servant to him. This vas a sprightly |
contraband, whom the men had christened
Stonewall Jackson but on tn present occa-
sion Stonewall belied the pronptness of his
namesake and was not Forthcoming.
AS it turned out afterward he had been
attracted by the playing of th'bands of some
New York regiments about quarter of
mile on our right and OF c1rse could not
leave while there was horn lowing.
saw the General was gettig anxious, and
finally he spoke
Davis" he said "do you know how to
make bed?"
I confessed that my experieloe in that line
was somewhat limited.
$50 is mine," said he 'but sanething must
be done am expecting the resident every
moment, and he retires early. AS that black
rascal hasn't turned up I supse we must
try and prepare his bed ourseIe"
The General had surrenderd his own cot
for the use of the President, nd we at once
proceeded to arrange it as bestve could We
had hardly gotten under way when in walk '
ed Mr. Lincoln. {
Hello, Sumner" said he, making your {
bed? This is the first tim,I knew that q
corps commanders acted as thr own cham q
bermaids." I
The General replied in the me vein, tell /
ing him that the cot was ia him, and ex- t
planning the circumstances uler which we c
had felt obliged to do the wors of the dere- c
lict Stonewall.
"All right" said the Presidei, good humor- T
edly, as he took his seat on til camp stool in a
the corner, Ego ahead, don'thind me; I'll
merely watch you and TAX the lesson, so
that if you ever come to the hite House
shall be able to reciprocate, hould it prove r
necessary" c
We were getting along iely and had r
nearly finished, when, suanly, an idea +
seemed to strike the Genenl He glanced h
furtively out Of the corner ohis eye at the r
President and then at theot. After re- t
peating the operation sevea times per- p