Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-10-27
LincoIn's Mysterious Order.

On the overthrow of the great re-
bellion / was, on the re, 2mmeudation
of Gen. Grant, In whose volunteer reg
iment served, appointed a lieutenant
In the regular army md Joined my
command in the great West, on the
edge of the Llano EStaCado, writes
Maj. J. w. Wham in Harper's. Capt
Holcomb. gallant and worthy soldier
a most interesting gentleman, with
whom l served at a lonely frontier
post, told me the following story on
the authenticity OF John l.. Scrps,
brother-in-law of Holcomb, aud the
man who wrote Lincoln's biography
for the first Lincoln campaign. Lin
coin, early realizing the tremendous
struggle that must ensue before the
great rebellion would be subdued, saw
clearly that the North must be held
in line, even If 1t required the tempo
rary overthrow Of liberty to do so. He
therefore sent for Gen Scott and said
General, have you an officer in the
regular army who will obey orders
without question--wlthout asking the
reason why?" The general thought for
a moment and then said "Yes, Mar
tin Burke" Lincoln then said: please
send him to me-" Capt. Burke was tel
egraphed for and in few days report
cd In much bewilderment at the White
House (for no explanation had been
made by Gen. Scott, looking anything
but Il hero as he stood in front of the
tall, angular and swarthy President.
His uniform. we'll worn and somewhat
awry, his gray hair touseled, his shoul-
ders stopped, his form bent, but be-
hind the steady eye, his quiet and firm
ly set lips. there was adamant
$50 you are Capt Burke?" said Lin
coin. Ia the same time surveying him
from head to foot with his quick, pen
etrating eye YES, sir" (salutiug)
Gen Scott tells me that you will obey
orders without asking questions" Yes
sir" (salutlng). Capt, Burke" Lin
coin said, slowly aud Iinpresslvely, Il
am going to put you In command Of
Fort Lafayette which stands In the
mouth Of Hudson river. You are to 60
there and stay, never, ms you will soon
see, for obvious reasons. coming ashore,
even for a moment, lest some sheriff or
other civil officer get service on you
and compel the production or release
Of some or all Of the prisoners which
/ may be compelled 10 confinc there
All prisoners sent there will be con
tiued by my authority and released by
my order, mud while there must be
treated with the utmost care comfort
and courtesy. but by 30 means allowed
to escape. They will be released nc
once on swearing allegiance to the
Union and complying with other formal
matters which will be attended 10
through the War Department No Hher-
IFS or other civil officers must under
any circumstances be- allowed to land
Mt the fort. Strictly obey these orders
and look to me for protection"
Fort Lafayette was. near the close Of
the great rebellion abandoned and
burned. or burned and abandoned, I am
not certain which When passing the
old ruin, as ! frequently did In going
TO Sandy Hook to pay the small detach
meut then there sgi.i TO myself 10 ISL
all ln the purpose, the aim fhe end Ia
View Charles V. constructed ba-t.Ic
with which 70 subycrt the liberties of
men. Lincoln constructed h1-t.lc
with which "a conserve the Ilborl3c NJ
men. Oa The ruins Of one arose the M
critics Of France. on tho ruins Of the
other arose the liberties Of America.
stronger thaa ever and more enduring
than tlc rocks tha' held in leash the
waters VI tle great North river rs they
aow ag 20 tac deep and dark blue
gceaa.'