Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-10-17
"ABE'S" OLD BUSTER.
The Costume in Which Mr.. Lincoln
Roamed Around Washington
Early in War-TimeS.
A Blunt Army Surgeon Tells Him That
He Had Mistaken Him for a
Virginia WO0d-ChOpper.

he received a generals commission in the
volunteer army, for which his West Point
education and his services In the Mexican
war abundantly fitted him. These recol-
lectiOns Gen Hamilton sometimes takes
pleasure in telling his old comrades-in-
arms when they meet on social occasions
His story about how the martyr president,
disguised In dilapidated clothes, sought to
obtain a pension for an unfortunate old
Irish woman whose husband was killed in
one of the Indian wars, was printed In the
Tribune in March last and attracted wide
attention. Mr. Lincoln, Gen. Hamilton
says, was fond of strolling about Washing
ton in the first months of his administra-
ton, attired as he then described him. in
long linen buster, usually In a badly
soiled state, a dingy waistcoat, which was
unbuttoned, and russell trousers of frontier
cut. Gen. Scott never fancied this cos
tune, but for long time found no oppor-
tunity of letting Mr. Lincoln know what
his views were on the subject. How be
came to lay aside his backwoods attire
Gen. Hamilton told to some of his old
army friends the other evening.
''Mr. Lincoln took great satisfaction, >
the general began, in perambulating
about the city and neighboring camps with
an old SLOUGH hat pulled down over his
swarthy face and dressed in the way have
described, taking observation of what in
terested him. His favorite time for this
sort of business was early In the morning
His usual hour for starting out on these
peregrinations was a. M, and 1t was
astonishing the amount of territory he
would cover by breakfast time He would
visit camps, hospitals, the places where the
ceiving and serving out stores and rations,
horse corrals, and all the points where he
could see for himself what was going on.
His favorite diversion was conversation
with the private soldiers. He would get
the confidence of one of them and put many
questions to him. Where are you from !?
he would ask. How long have you been
in the army?' How much did you earn
month at home?' What is your pay now?
How do you like the fare here? -is the
beef, the pork, the bread that you get as
good as you get at home?' How are you
treated by your oficers?' Are they well
up in the drill?' He would ask these ques-
tions in a way to give the man the impress
sion that he thought of enlisting himself,
and would ask if he thought that they
would accept him In his regiment.
'After these morning tramps and in
spections, the president often appeared at
Gen. SCOTS quarters at about 1870 a. M,
covered with the phenomenal dust of that
region. One hot morning in July, 1861,
he found the general S front door ajar and
walked in unannounced. / was in my
room on the third floor just completing my
toilet and hearing his voice in the hall as
he called out, Is Gen. Scott within?' |
answered, and speedily joined him and
ushered him into the general parlor. The
only occupant Of the room was DIR. L,
surgeon of the army of many years ser
vice, who had been member of Gen.
Scott staff during the Mexican war and
was still his staff srlrgeon-in civil phrase,
the generals family physician. There was
great need of his presence, for the old gen
eral was afflicted with dropsy, govt, and
several other diseases, to say nothing of
the complications wrought In his case by
the hardships of many campaigns and the
weight of advancing years.
Hearing me address this rough looking
specimen as Mr. President the doctor
thought | was getting ready to play some
trick upon him-not an uncommon thing,
by the way and pastime of mine In those
DAYS. So the doctor turned his back
squarely upon us and buried himself in the
National Intelligencer, edited by Mr.. Sea-
ton, one of the generals warmest admir-
ers, and his personal friend. Observing
the situation | said in tones of grave and
studied respect:
"'Mr. President may I be allowed to
present to you DIR. T of the army, Gen.
SCOTS staff surgeon, and indeed Mr..
President, whatever services Gen. Scott is
able to render are due to the doctors min
istrations.
''Ihe doctor glanced over his shoulder in
chary way at the visitor, and discovering
that it was indeed the president arose and
advanced toward him. But the doctor
was not courtier by any means. Hewas
polite enough to take Mr.. Lincoln's out
stretched hand, but cycling his seedy outfit
with Ill disguised aversion he blurted out:
Mr. President, excuse me, but so many
Virginia wood-choppers come here every
day to take look at Gen. Scott that mis-
took you for one of them.
''This unexpected allusion to his appear
ance was a little too much for the president.
He was vexed, not to say angry. A little
spot of hectic red burned for a moment on
his cheeks. But it was only for moment
and then he said pleasantly: DR.. r,
you gave me an agreeable surprise.
tUOu2uU
the United States was familiar with ''Old
Abe's'' ugly phiz. But, doctor, although
YOU do not know me, know you. You
are getting up a hospital for those who
NAV fall sick or be wounded In the defense
of the union | have been there and have
seen you at work, although you were not
aware of it. | want to aid you In your
preparations for taking care of the poor
fellows who will need all that we can do
for them When you need anything don t
let there be any red tape. Come to me at
once without hesitation, and you shall
have anything you want If | can get 1t for
you
1.-The room Just back of the parlor was
Gen. SCOTS bed chamber. The glass door
connecting the rooms opened and the old
hero walked in. He had been a silent
witness of what had passed. Good
morning, Mr.. President. he said, as he
shook the chief magistrate by the hand,
and then went on without further cere-
mony: 'Demosthenes said what was need
ed in oratory was action, action, action.
What we need in war is discipline. Yet
here you are directing DR.. L - to do
what is a violation of discipline. Red
tape is necessary sometimes, so how will
he get his accounts through the treasury
department? Moreover, Mr.. President,
you would deprive old soldiers like myself
and the surgeon general of enjoying with
YOU the sad pleasure of ministering to our
sick and wounded soldiers. DIR. T
should make his acquisitions upon the
medical purveyor and they should be coun
ter-signed by the surgeon-general. If any
further order Is needed | shall have the
pleasure of giving it under the authority