The record-union., 1896-07-09
LINCOLN'S WILD RIDE.
The Army in Line Waited for the
Arrival of the Chieftan.

In March, 1864, the veteran army of
the James was encasnped at Camp
Grant," near GEORGETOWN, a short dis
tance out from Washington, D. c. Cen
eral 3. F. Butler was in command, un
der whose guidance the army was to
operate against Richmond from north
of the James. This magnificent army
of 5000 men was, upon a day set apart
for the purpose, reviewed by the Presi-
DENT and his staff in person. No grand
er army had been seem at Washington,
or one of which greater results were
confidently expected. The dignitaries
Of the Nation were present, embracing
the Cabinet and a vast throrg Of noted
personages.
The army in line waited the formal
arrival of the distinguished chieftain
and became impatient for the opportu-
nifty ito give enthusiastic expression of
it's great loyalty and appreciation The
moment came, and mounted upon one OF
General Buffers great war horses ap-
peared the then idol OF the liberty
loving loyal world. Beside him was
General Butler on another fine steed,
both animals in perfect condition from
Their long winter rest ir bountiful sta
bies.
The artillery tfhundered its national
salute; the bands rent the air with their
most inspiring notes; the men could not
be restrained with dignity, and their
voices IN unison proclaimed not only a
deep appreciation of the scene, but also
ardent love for their supreme leader
Abraham Lincoln. There he sat upon
that wonderful horse whose every ten
don and muscle was In full play
Imagine if you can the spectacle. The
President dressed as so often described
in the Prince Albert nalde for the
"otter fellow" fitting only on the tops
of the shoulders with trousers and boots
to correspond, the latter 50 loose and
wrinkied from service as to scarcely
stay on. His stovepipe hat covered
the most unkelnpt ham that ever graced
a sacred head.
Thurs we see him, when the pent-up
fires within THAT horse, under the wild
enthusiasm, drove him onward and on
ward, faster and faster up the front
o1 that adIniring army. The President
was now exciting all the strength he
possessed to control his flying steed.
General Butler sought to ride UP and
lend aid but to no purpose. His big
sorrel was no match for the black
charger; the attempt seemed TO madden
the Presidents horse. On he came, In
creasing his speed, until he seemed to
be flying The Presidents hat was
gone, his thin hair streamed in the wind
and his eyes were set as In death; his
square-toed wrinkled boots stood out in
the strained stiraups, while his long.
lank arms were oonyulsed in their vain
effort TO control the beast
In breathIess stiffness we watched the
threatened catastrophe the whole army
seemed powerless to avert. Slowly but
surely the philosophy Of the President
was thwarting the instincts of the
horse; not able to check his speed,
which would soon carry him into
Georgetown and through the bridge. he
could divert his course by using all
his strength on ONE REIN This he did
and across the plain on tangent they
flew.
Hark, that unearthly cheering away
down the line, Like a volcano 1t burst
forth and all eyes were in an instant
turned. Officers had urged their fatted,
clumsy chargers i'm vain, but here
comes our hero. An orderly-a private
soldier-brnging up the extreme rear
witnessed the disaster and the futile
| efforts of the officers near the scene.
| Lying fiat upon his horses name. with
rowels deeply planted in his flanks, he
sped up that bewildered line like a
rocket of warning. On, on, he went
Away across the plain almost beyond
our vision, he swept in his course to
the side Of the President. In an in
stant he was on his feet, had caught
the incorrigfbie stallion by the bits and
| the mad ride was over; the President
rescued. Lincoln. by the help of the
orderly, rather fell than dismounted to
the ground, where he fell exhausted un-
! til a carriage was sent to his relief