Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1885-10-29
ANsANEcDorE OF LINCOLN.


General Mcclellan.
Two years ago the Chief of Engineers
of the United States ArmI, at Washing
ton. recommended that Congress be ask
ed to make an appropriation for strength
ening at this day the principal fortifica-
ton in the line of defcHces that were
constructed around Washington in the
early days of the Rebellion. This rec
ommendation brought tomind an anec-
dote Of President Lincoln, ,Yrelated by the
late General ]. G. Barnard Of the United
States Corps of Engineers, at dinner
given in September of 1871. at Inverness,
in the North Of Scotland, by Mr.. Mitch
ell, the distinguished engineer, who built
some of the principal railways of Scot
land. "The dinner wasn sumptuous
one and much enjoyed. Betimes the la
dies retired. and the cloth being removed,
'.Hot Scotch mist was brought in. Soon
speeches followed aud each guest was
reminded of a story" Itcame General
Barnard's turn. He arose with his usual
dignity, amid the most unbounded ap-
plause, and spoke substantially as follows:
Gentlemen: cannot sing song. tell
story or pay sixpence; butiI willrelate
for your information and amusement an
incident in my professional life. In the
early part of the War OF the Rebellion, as
it is termed in America, Twas chief of
engineers ON the staff of Major General
George b. Mcclellan, commanding the
Army of the Potomac, with headquarters
at that time in the city Of Washington.
II was decided at council of war held at
headquarters to fortify Washington
Plans of the forest and the lines of the
Notifications were accordingly prepared
and the works were constructed in due
time, and when completed the General
invited President Lincoln and his Cabi-
net to review of the troops and an in
spection of the forts and lines of fortifi-
cation. On the day appointed the inspec-
ton commenced at Arlington, to the
southwest Of Washington, and in front of
the enemy. We followed the line of the
works southerly and recrossed the Poto-
mac to the easterly side of the river and
continued along the line easterly of
Washington and into the heaviest Of all
the Notifications on the northerly side of
Washington. When we reached this
point the President asked General Nc
Clellan to explain the necessity of so
strong q fortification between Washing
ton and the North.
General Mcclellan replied; why, Mr.
President according to military science it
is orr duty to guard against every posi-
bic or supposable contingency that may
arise. For example, il under any cir
cumstances, however fortuitous, the en-
emy, by any chance or freak, should, in a
last resort get in behind Washington, in
his efforts to capture the city why, there
the fort is to defend it.
"'Ycs, that's SO General' said the
President; the precaution is doubtless a
wise one, and Tn glad to Ut 50 clear an
explanation, for it reminds ~ OF an in
tcrestips question once a. 1r sew
eral weeks in our Lyccml kcourt
at Springfield, ILL.,. soon ailer I began
reading law
'Ah! says General Mcclellan, What
question was that, Mr.. PresidentY
The question, Mr.. Lincoln replied,
was, "Why does man have breasts?"
and he added that after many evenings,
debate the question was submitted to the
presiding judge, who wisely decided
That il under any circumstances, how
ever fortuitous, or by any chance or freak
no matter of what nature or by what
cause, a man should have baby, there
would be the breasts to nurse it. Us. 8.
in ~ Y. Tribune.