San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-06-20

of freedom, and his rugged face was
illuminated by smile the like Of
which for benignity 1 have never
seen. President Lincoln, as we know,
was one of those who saw visions and
dreamed dreams, and L have always
believed, such was the light Of his
countenance, that he had prophetic
vision that very day that all his love
and labor for the slave was not to be
in vain. He managed his horse we'll
and sat at ease upon him, but rode
loosely, carelessly, letting his legs
away and his arms flop up and down.
He had evidently ridden good deal
and never given thought as to now
he rode or looked. His wonderful
appearance of length struck me very
forclbly. He was only 1-2 inches
taller than Gen. Weitzel, who was
thin even to meagerness, and yet
somehow Weitzel looked actually
stubby In comparison. Add to his
loose way of riding that his tall hat
had settled down behind almost on
to his neck, and showed his forehead
and tuft of hair like a Zouave, and
that his trousers had worked up
nearly to the tops of his stockings
and that he wore low cut shoes, and
you can appreciate Capt. Bob Lin
coins remark after the ceremony
was through, as his father approached
a group of which Admiral Porter was
the center. 1t was, "well, father
doesen't handsome much, does he?"
There had been a shade of cold
ness between Generals Ord and Welt
eel, of which am convinced Lincoln
had heard nothing. AS we three
the president, Wetzel and myself
rode along the line of my division,
Mr.. Lincoln made some remark about
General Ord, who was very eccentric.
General Weitzel answered, as it SEEM
ed TO me, who knew the feelings,
with a shadow of reserve. Lincoln
looked at him just one instant with
glance at once quiZzical and pentrat-
ing, and then breaking out into a
smile, said: ord is a good fellow,
but his names spelled wrong How
should it be spelled, Mr.. President"
'O-d-d-ha-ha-ha,' said the president,
and putting out his long elbow, much
as another man would put out
whole arm, he gave Weitzel poke in
the ribs.
"President Lincoln had undergone.
l feel sure, great change in manner
and characteristics since he first took
the reins of power, and used to run
over to Gen. Sam Sturgis' tent Sam
Sturgis was the best story teller in
the army. and, after sitting down
and telling his story, would pat Stur-
gis atfectionaUely on the knee, with
Now, Sam, can you beat that?
"He was most pretensiOus and
hearty. There was nothing in one
way about his manner of manner.
He cracked his jokes here and there,
but never one that could not be re-
peated to ladies, and it was noticed
after he had gone that, kind, unpre-
ten tiOus and unr5strained as his
manner WAS, there was that in it
which had etfectually prevented any
officer with whom he came in contact
and there were among them men or
sublime assurance-frOm assuming
the same freedom of manner.
1--WE saw him only once more, when
he came to Richmond after the sur
render, and his great kindness OF
heart for a moment Overbalanced his
wonderful judgment when he issued
orders for the immediate assembly of
the Virginia legislature.
"a few days after that, riding out
for pleasure, Gen. We tz 81 and /, near
Petersburg, met captain and quar-
termaster riding at a gallop with
loose rein. At first we thought him
intoxicated AS he drew up we found
this strong man was weeping violent
ly. He told us the sad story of the
assassination. 1t was a sorry army
that night"