davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

Dowell, Banks and Fremont would be
disposed so as to protect the capital.
Even then lie feared the result and
added, Il think the time is near when
you must either attack Richmond or
give up the job and come to the defense
of Washington"
The immediate defense of Washing
ton while the army was Mt n distance
coping with the main enemy gave the
president great concern and also an OPP
portunity to exercise his military in
clinations. At the time of Early's raid,
in 1864, Lincoln went out to the point
of danger with column of fresh
troops which Grant had sent up from
Petersburg to strengthen the local gar
rison of clerks and convalescents.
While watching the skirmishers in
front of Fort Stevens, which Early at
tackled, Lincoln got within range and
was urged by the generals to retire,
and he did so only after considerable
protest.
The capture of Richmond was the
one great problem of Lincoln's incum-
bency. 1t became a bugbear, so often
was it attempted under his manipula-
talk with Grant as to how he-Grant
would proceed that Lincoln confessed
his military mistakes and want of eX-
perience. Grant refrained from laying
bare his plans for the reason, as he de-
clared, that while they looked hopeful
they might fail, and he didn't wish to
disappoint Lincoln, who had had the
matter ON his heart for three years.
After Grant laid siege to Petersburg
and Richmond and Lincoln was candi-
date for a second term an admirer said
to the president, Nothing can defeat
you but Grants capture of Richmond
and his nomination by the opposite
party"
"Well,' said Lincoln, 'I feel very
much like the man who said he didn't
want to die particularly, but if he had
got to die that was precisely the dis
ease he'd like to die off,
At last the hour came for the final
blow which was to decide once for all
the fate of Richmond. Lincoln visited
Grants headquarters at City Point, on
the James, miles in rear of the besieg-
ing lines. Grant requested him to re-
main there while he went in person to
the front to direct the troops, the gen.
eral promising to send the president
frequent dispatches of the progress
made by the advance. On the heels of
the victory at Five Forks Grant wired
the president to join him and received
his call in a house in the captured city
of Petersburg, Richmond having fallen
a few hours before Lincoln arrived.
After expressing his thanks TO fine
army for the victory. Lincoln said, .'Do
you know, general, that have had
sort of sneaking idea for some days
that you intended to do something like
this?"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

the apparition no worG fell from the
lips of the soldiers more softly and rev
erentially than the name of Lincoln.
Four months later the conditions and
the review of Antietam were repeated
on the banks of the Rappahannock
Again Mcclellan had been removed
and his successor involved in the blood
lest disaster of the war. the Fredericks-
burg slaughter. Moreover, another I'M
tried commander had been placed at
the head of the army, General Hooker.
Hundreds of officers had resigned and
prominent major generals had asked
to be relieved from serving under
Hooker in another Rappahannock cam
paign. Lincoln came and spent some
days talking it over with the generals.
Then the army was called out and
Lincoln rode down the line accom-
panied by his little son Tad riding
pony. A bitter spirit could quarrel
with the president, off in Washington,
but not with Father Abraham, right
there at the front with his favorite
boy, his heart already torn by fresh
grief at the loss of ''Tad's" baby play
mate, Willie Veterans have happily
long since buried the wars contrOver-
sizes and quarrels. but whenever the sub
ject of Lincoln's reviews of the army
is called up at G.. \. II. campfire the
comrade who can tell of Tad and his
pony in the review at Falmouth is the
hero of the hour.
AS a military man the president new
er aroused the respect of the army and
after the disasters of Second Bull Run
and Fredericksburg, which, rightly or
wrongly, were laid at his door, the idea
of his interference was to the mass in
tolerable. He told Grant in so many
words that he didn't profess to be
military man or to know how cam
paigns should be conducted and never
wanted to interfere. He had done so
at times under pressure from the peo-
pie of the north and congress, but was
certain his interference had been wrong
in some cases, possibly in all. One sto-
ry of his nagging the generals was told
with great gusto by the critics of the
army, which, if true, would have
stamped Lincoln as man of coarse
fiber and vacillating mind. This was
to the effect that at one time he wired
Mcclellan to either 'attack Richmond
or give up the job" The truth is that
the joke was upon the scared heads in
Washington, Philadelphia and New
York. The army was carrying out the
actual campaign set by the war de-
partment and investing Richmond.
Suddenly Stonewall Jackson swooped
down upon the army of Banks in the
Shenandoah valley and drove it to the
Potomac. Washington got news that
the Confederates were threatening
Leesburg and the Manassas Gap rail-
road in front of Washington. Lincoln
wired the particulars to Mcclellan, tell
ing him how the three armies of Nc
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07
"reminiscences Of
Lincoln * 'y' ROCKWELL

Copyright, 1908. by J. II. Rock,ceu

connected with the Illinois Central rail-
road, had provided Mr.. Douglas with
special car, but Mr. Lincoln Travelled in
the ordinary day coaches.
Judge Douglas was taken to the
grounds in a fine carriage belonging to
Samuel F. Taylor, Hveryman, by Fran
els w. F. Brawley, then postmaster at
Freeport. 1t was drawn by a splendid
span of gray horses. 1t was the only
fine carriage in any livery stable in
Freeport at that time, and there was
no way for the Republicans to match
in splendOr the equipage that took
Judge Douglas to the grounds. They
therefore, sent for farmer, John Wolf,
living near FreepOrt, who had recently
arrived from Pennsylvania, to bring his
six horse team and COnestoga wagon,
with its queer box high at each end, to
take Mr.. Lincoln to the debate.
''Mr Lincoln strongly protested, but
finally good naturally yielded and stood
alone in the wagon, the farmer riding
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

THINK THAT YOU DO PAY
every soldiers heart, for it linked the
man with the muSket to the great head
of the government in the relation of
parent and son. The title Father.Abra-
ham was universally adopted in the
same spirit as the camp nicknameS
"TJncle Billy" and Pap were fasten-
ed upon Sherman and Thomas 1t
wasn't Ievity. but filiaI respect seeking
the simplest form of expression Lin
coin was the noble father of his
boys. Sherman the good uncle" Thorn
as the quiet, resourceful, everyday
pap or dad"
Every soldier who passed through
Washington or was encamped near it
sought a chance to shake hands with
Father Abraham on reception days
Countless stories of these incidents,
which stood out as events in the lives
of the fortunate ones, became current
in camp. Even though these hand
shakes grew to be commonplaees and
Lincoln a familiar figure round the
nearby camps, men were proud to re-
call 1.-The first time | saw Lincoln,
or 'the day l shook hands with Lin
coin" After his assassination hun
dreds of thousands of boys in blue
who had missed the opportunity or de-
ferred it, purposely, till the day Of ex-
pected victory, were filled with regret.
Lincoln's first acts of executive Glenn
ency and kindness in the cases where
unframed recruits had been condemned
to death created a Lincoln of camp
tradition. Father Abraham stood be-
tween the soldier boy and injustice
and wrong of every form. He could be
appealed. to. He was appealed to. If
u soldier couldn't get a furlough
through the army channels and thought
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

II -
the most important events in
eS@SzSSs Mr. Lincoln's history was pro-
kAsD cured from General Smith d.
Atkins, the veteran editor and politi-
clan, who was present at the conference
of Republican leaders in Freeport, ILL.,,
just previous TO the famous Lincoln
Douglas debate of Aug. %, 1853:
abraham Lincoln was the grandest
man of all the centuries. My personal
acquaintance with him was very slight.
L met him on two occasions only, the
first time in 1896, when Mr.. Lincoln
came to Freeport with party of ladies
and gentlemen as the guests of the IL
linois Central Railroad company, MAX
ing Il tour over the lines of that COM
pany. A telegram was received to have
dinner prepared for the company at the
Brewster House, and the news spread
in Freeport, then a small village Of
some 5000 or 1000 people. 1 was in
troduced to Mr.. Lincoln at the Brew
Ster House, and his attention was at
tracted to cane carried with a head
of polished Iowa birdseye marble, beau
tiful and curious.
while 1 was talking Mr.. Lincoln's
little boy took possession of the cane.
Dinner was announced, but he insisted
on keeping the cane. l urged Mr.. Lin
coin to let him keep it as present from
me, but he replied, That would not be
right and he patiently pleaded with
the boy to give it to us and finally sue
ceeded in securing the cane by giving
the boy dollar. Mr.. Lincoln then went
of the party had been for some time
seated at the table.
'fThe second and the last time that 1
met Mr.. Lincoln was on Aug. 81, 1853.
Mr.. Lincoln came to Freeport at that
time to engage in one of the series of
joint debates with stephen A. Douglas,
a new interest in which has been re-
Gently created by Winston Churchilrs
novel, The Crisis My recollections of
that day are vivid and never to be for
gotten. l was then young man prac-
ticing law in Freeport and was present
in a room in the Brewster House in the
forenoon of Aug. 81, 1853, with num-
Der of others who wer, calling on Mr..
Lincoln. Among them were e. B.
Washburn, Owen Loveioy, Norman B.
Judd, Joseph Medill, James o. Church
i'll and John Wilson Shaffer. OF course
there were others coming and going,
but 1 especially remember the gentle
men named.
"The subject under discussion when
entered the room was the solemn man.
ner of Mr.. Lincoln's oratOry in the first
joint debate in Ottawa on Aug. p, all
present who engaged in the conversa-
ton urging Mr.. Lincoln to drop his
solemn style of argument and tell sto-
ries, as Tom Corwin of Ohio did, and
catch the crowd. Mr.. Lincoln appeared
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07
Lincoln and the
Soldiers - By GEORGE E s1sn.R
Copyright. 1908. BY g. L. Kamer

yes, 1 understand" responded Lin
coin CURLY, adding as he nodded to-
ward several soldiers who were looking
on, from the complaints of these boys
of mine 1 think it is all you do pay"
Whenever a rascally commissary,
quartermaster or paymaster was dis
missed the service the president got
the credit for it in camp. He made no
public professions of his good will to
the boys and never praised them with
eloquent harangues, but now and then
he dropped Il homely phrase which
showed the place they held in his
heart. One day there was an issue In
the councils between the soldiers and
their general. Lincoln sided with the
man with the musket, and, when re
monstrated with for risking giving Of
Tense to a prominent officer, he eX-
claimed, But L can make a general
any time with a stroke of the pen. and
good soldiers are hard to GET
All through the war the soldiers dis
liked military frills and ceremony and
for that reason took to Lincoln, the
American ideal OF democratic simple
ity. Every story which was racy of
the rail splitter president, especially if
it related to the army, was eagerly
caught up and made camp property.
One day a German nobleman who had
seen service in the fatherland appeared
at the White House as an applicant
for a commission. Lincoln liked the
young fellow for his personal bearing
solely and promised him an appoint
ment Being Overjoyed at his good
luck, the foreign sprig began TO impress
the president with his Importance at
home, saying that he belonged to one
of the oldest noble houses in Europe
"Oh, never mind that" said Lincoln,
with gravity in his look and tone. st
will not be serious obstacle to your
advancement in this country"
The soldiers in turn treated foreign
spirit. If they fought we'll, their old
world records didn't count against
them and on the other hand didn't do
them any good.
After the army grew to vast proper
tons thousands of soldiers joined it and
served without a close view OF Father
Abraham. Whenever he visited camp,
only the few who We're cautioned along
the route or stationed near headquar-
tiers and the points he inspected saw
anything of his personality. One day
at the front he strOlled out where the
engineer corps was at work and watch
ed the axmen chopping timber. After
chatting genially with them for a few
minutes he asked for an AK and, WELD
ing it skillfully, remarked, ''They do
say used to be good on the chop then
made the chips fly from a cut as smooth
as polished wood. When Lincoln had
left the spot with pleasant word, the
engineers cheered the feat, and this
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

of them came under the satire of the
president the soldiers took sweet re-
venge by retailing the story in camp
and writing it home to the folks and
to the papers. One of the callers
at the White House ON a reception day
in 1862, when the treasury was not
troubled with a surplus, greenbacks
not having been invented, brought to
camp a story which made the boys for
get their lean pocketbooks for time.
a paymaster was introduced to the
president with great eclat, and while
shaking the honest hand held out to
him said: IT have no official business
with you, Mr.. President. I only called
TO pay my compliments"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

HIS NAMES LINCOLN-ABE LINCOLN.
the nigh wheel horse, as he had done
in his long journey from Pennsylvania,
and driving with Il single rein. Mr..
Lincoln was taken to the grounds amid
the widest applause.
His eQuipage was in such strong
contrast to that of Senator Douglas
that every one, Democrats and Repub-
licans, could not help laughing, and the
vast crowd was filled with good nature.
During the debate Mr. Lincoln did
ask Judge Douglas the question that
had been the subject of so much dis
cussion at the Brewster House, and
Mr.. Douglas did answer as Mr.. Mediil
and others said he would, and Mr..
Douglas did beat Mr.. Lincoln as Il can
didate for United States senator from
Illinois.
But in making that answer Mr..
Douglas put himself in direct opposi-
ton TO the decision of the supreme
court of the United States in the bred
Scott case, and he so offended the Dem
ocrats of the south that they instantly
denounced him, and that answer made
by Mr.. Douglas to Mr.. Lincoln's Ques-
ton in Freeport on Aug. %. 1858. split
the Democratic national convention at
Charleston in 1860 and made the cleo
ton of Mr.. Douglas as president i'm
possible, as Mr.. Lincoln had predicted.
The popular opinion was and is that it
made Mr.. Lincoln so well' known
throughout the country as to result in
his own nomination and election as
president of the United States"
The men who personally knew Abra-
ham Lincoln grow fewer each year,
but there is none who during the time
he grew into prominence saw more of
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

- Cd ~ an NSC0
and said very lit
tie, but after a
short time he
Dire w from his
pocket a list of
questions that he
had carefully
prepared and
which he pro-
posed to n S K
Douglas.
The reading
of those ques-
tions created n
storm of opposi-
ton on the part Of
nearly every one
present, especial
~ Joseph Me
dill, who vehe-
mently insisted
that it would be
a fatal mistake,
especially the
second one, Can
the people of a
United S ia t e s
! -
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

I'll uSGd the SlOI y
to spread over
the camp, bring
ing Father Abra..
ham a little near.
er to the hearts
of the rank and
file of the army
Next to a hand
shake with the
president the sol
d iers delighted
most to stand in
line when Lin
coin reviewed
the army. 1t was
a good chance to
study his per-
sonality, for he
rode close to the
ranks and looked
the men in their
ia ces. Lincoln
never saw any
army but the one
that battled in
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

and a tall hat. THE VAST CROWD WAS
He had on pair Filled WITH '"OD
Of tort top
boots, and negligence of dress or choice
caused him to leave a trouser leg
caught on the top of one of his boots.
Mr.. Stewart inquired who on earth that
''gawk" could be, and his friend, MIR.
George Sawyer, replied: "Well. you'd
be surprised to hear that fellow talk
He is one of the brightest lawyers in
Illinois. You ought TO go over to the
courthouse and hear him. His names
Lincoln-Abe Lincoln"
a little later Mr.. Stewart did so and
hear Mr. Lincoln, and he was very
much impressed. An Introduction re-
suited in an acquaintance which lasted
during the presidents life and carried
with it memories of the president and
his family that will never be forgotten
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

he had a good
claim, he wrote
the president. If
the soldiers let
ter failed in its
mission, then the
mother or sister
or wife wrote
and Lincoln or
dered the fur
Tough granted if
t h e circu M
stances warrant
ed it
The heaviest
cross the soldier
at the front had
to bear was the
slow paymaster
and the rascal
~ commissary,
quartermaster
and army con-
tractor. For all
his ills he made
some of these
worthless the vic
tim of a roast
ing - and if ono
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

y
AA who took up arms in 1861
S5sSssSa We're familiar with the type
tSSy of manhood upon which the
great war leader was modelled, the hon
est, large hearted, patient and indom-
liable yeoman: City life and country
life were then closer together than in
these times. AT best the city man was
only one generation removed from the
countryman. So while the farm boy
and the westerner claimed Lincoln as
of their own stamp their city comrades
were not a whit behind in personal ap-
probation and loyalty.
In the early days the campaign ii
ties "OId Abe and ABE" Lincoln were
caught up lightly, for the war was
looked upon as part of the comedy of
a heated political campaign to be quick
ly ended. But when, after some blood
letting, a poet coined the phrase,
Were coming, Father Abraham" he
struck a cord which lay dormant in
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

him than Mr.. j.
o. Stewart of
120S East Jeffer-
son street, Spring
field, Ill. In 1857
he was a photog-
rapher, and he
says he distinctly
remembers on g
day when he saw
n big, tall, raw
boned, cadaverous
looking IN a II
or o S S l II & [ n e
street. The OBJ
ject of his inter
terest-photOg-
rapherS are al
ways looking for
some odd speci-
men for t b g ir
cameras-wore a
sort of raglan
coat, pantaloons
that seemed to
fit only in spots
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07
EAST. / WEST.
TRANS

ROCK ISLAND AND PEORIA DIVISION
Trains leave Twentieth street station Main
ne trains start from main depot on Fifth
avenue minutes in advance of time given
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

CHICAGO, BURLINGTON 81
IiIi3IIlIglllI avenue and TweEsle'h street,
~ MI. YOUNG, Agent.
illlisssT FRANK A. HART.
ss1.E9zE Passenger Agent.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07
TRAINS.

TRAINS. LEAVE ARRIVE
Peoria. Springfield, St. L,
Indianapolis. Cincinnati. $40 am $40 pm
Peoria, Springfield, Indian
inston. St. Louis. -. LAS pm 1855 pm
Peoria Express $500. +1:2O pm
Peoria, Indianapolis, Gin
cInnati Blooming ton. -1:l5 am
liable AccOmmOdatlln.... 1915 an
Sherrard Accommodation 1890 am 44;55 pm
liable s. Sherrsrd Accom-. 1890 pm +2:2O pm
liable s Sherrard Accom- y: - am
sArrival departure tDaily. except sun
law Phone West 1888 West lips, West 1423.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07
TRAINS.

st. Louis, Springfield
GRlesburg, Peoria and
quincy. ........- ...... g.
Sterling, Mendoza ano
Chicago. .............
Peoria, BeRrdStOWn, Bur
Hns sOa, Denver and
w esq. ssss...s.s.s s..ss.
-. Louis, Kansas City,
Denver and Pacific
GOaSb ..--. --..s. 80. -
sterling and points in
termediato .............
Dubuque, Clinton, La
Crosse, st. Paul, Mimi
and n. W
Hinton, Dubuque, and
La Crosse. ..............
Clinton and intermediate
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

All trains daily except Sunday
Passengers for points beyond Savanna " III
make connections leaving at m and ar
irving at S.47 p. M via Iowa side OF the river.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

LEAVE ARRIVE
ss:S5 am 1886 am
1905 am 1875 am
1850 pm t12:i1 pm
ss7:25 pm s7:l0 pm
+7:25 pm +7:IO pm
sF7:4O pm +6.25 am
200 am 1900 pm
s 900 am 200 pm
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

S Stop at Rock Island % minutes for meals,
tDaily. tDsly except Sunday.
Telephone 1iS0.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

THICAGO, MILWAUKEE,
~ & st. Paul Railway. D.,
ICHLS1c6~ r. I. & n. W. passenger sta
lMHR1RRZz7 ton a. foot OF seyentss,ent3h
SEPs1' agent The trains for pu-
4 buQue and points north run
~ via Illinois side of river.
Trains for Freeport and Milwaukee VIII run
Tia Davenport. Clinton and Savanna.
All trains VIII connect at Savanna for points
sEst and west
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-07

TRHINs. LEAVE ARRIVE.
Dubuque and St. Paul Pas
SenEer -...........--- ll-'1J Nh
accommodation. ...........I 1910 am 1916 pm
dubuque and ST. Paul Pas
Senger 90 pm
dflw aukee Express. $500 ZOO am SAY pm
Treeport Flzpress. ..,....-i 3:45 pm ll;4O an