New-York tribune., 1885-10-21
AN ANECDOTE OF LINCOLN,
THE REAR pEFENcEs OF WASHING TO
STORY THAT THE PRESIDENT ONCE TOLD TO
| GENERAL MCCLELLAN.

STORY THAT THE PRESIDENT ONCE TOLD TO
GENERAL MCCLELLAN.
To the EditOr OF The Trt6Hhe'
SIR: Two years ago the Chief of Engineers
OF the United Army at Washington recommended
that Congress be asked TO make an appropila-
tion for strengthening at this day the prin-
cipal fertilization in the line Of defences that
constructed around Washington in tho early
days OF the Rebellion This recommendation brought to
mind anccdOte of President Lincoln. related by the
late General J. g. Barnard OF the United states corps
of Engineers, dinner given i'm September or 1871, az
Inverness. in the North OF Scotland by Mr.. Mitchell the
distinguished engineer, who built some of the principal
railways OF Scotland
In July 1871 was president Of tho Tehuantepec Rail
way and shp Canal Company when 1t was determined
t0form commission composed OF eminent engineers to
visit the principal artificial waterways Of Europe. with
the view OF applying tho best and recent experience
to the project OF nteroccanlc railway and ship canal
across tho ISthmus Of Tehuantepec, Mexico rendered
the appointment to General ]. q. Barnard, Of the U. g.
Engineers and named AS hd coadjutors Colonel Julius
W. Adams, vice-presdeut OF the American Society OF
Cy Engineers and Colonel Lorenzo Perez Castro, OF
meet III London IN August 1871, where was 10 Joss
them with Colonel John j. Williams, Of Tennessee chief
cns5cer 1i th9 company General blrn9a PrT1
was organizCd, and It proceeded r, With, wiih, It's
commission received great attention aud many court
estes official and social, one OF tho most charming OF
then Lord Provost. NJ Procurcur Fiscal Stewart an'.
several othor distinguished gentlcmon and several
Ladies' present to meet the cnmHSslO Fhc dinner
was sumptuous one and much enjoyed. i;Gtlmes the
la retired. ami the cloth being removed, Hot Scotch
loved and each guest was reminded of a
story" II came General Barnards turn.
bounded applause. aud spoke substantially as follows
Gentlemen: cannot sing song, toll story or pay
asNpcncc but VIII relate Tor YOU lni"rination anu
caiy part OF the War ~ he Robe 1t s termed Ia
I - fle of
General George II. Mcclellan, commanding me Army OF
the Potomac, with headquarters at that time III the
e oooao Of wSshnEoP ca 5 was decided at
to fortry Plans the forest nnI tine lines
works were constructed iu due time aud when compst-
ed the General invited President Lincoln aud his Cabinet
aud lines Of fortncatiO ON the day appointed the in
specti IN commenced Arlington to the southwest OF
the limo OF the works southcrly and recrossed
the Potomac TO the easterly sdo Of the
cascrly Of Washington aud nto the hravo-t Of AL the
fortiira,ions Oh the northery sie oi Washington Nhr
Mcclellan to explain the necessity oi - strong Ioru
ncatiJn between Washington aud the North.
General Mcclellan replied why. Mr. PRESIDENT ac'
cordug 10 military science duty guard against
every possible or sup3os.hle contingency that may
evcrfnrtnious. The enemy by any chance OF ircK
In Last fes0t. get Ia behind Washington IN ms eorS 10
capture The city. wby there the fort Is 20 efond iC
- Ncs. thars 50 Gcucral. said the Presidont the
p~ecaupn l. doubtless one. ana Fn Glad to &c,
Gear an cX2alAilon Tor II reminds IN" o an IL o,,r '
Lyccum moot court at springfield H. soon after
An sIys Gcacral Mcclellan. What question was
that Mr. President y
& oc spe"'i"a; 9 Ssyo LST%,a Bfcar. TSP' and
ad led that after many evenings, debate the questio
d.oiicd 'That II unier any circumstance. howeNri
forIuts or y any chance or freak. u" matter 81 wh2
"atnlc o. by VIII, san'" man s9r19 have 9ao'
c.ioik, oct TO- l-,3.