Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-25
LINCoLN'S ORDER.
Wanted Man to Obey and Not ASK
Questions.
From Harper's Weekly.

From Harpers Weekly.
On the overthrow OF the great rebellion
I was, on the recommendation OF Gen
Grant, In whose volunteer regiment 7
served. appointed lieutenant in the reg7.-
lar army, and Joined my command in the.
great west, on the edge of the Llano Es-
facade. Capt Holcomb, a gallant and
worthy soldier, most Interesting gentle
man. and whom 1 served at a lonely
frontier post, told me the following story
on the authenticity of John L. Scrips one
of the founders of the Chicago Tribune a
brother-fn-law of Holcomb. and the man
who wrote Lincoln's biography for the
first Lincoln campaign. Lincoln, early re-
alizing 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 ii required the tenn
porary overthrow OF liberty to do so. He
therefore, sent for Gen. Scott and said:
General, have you an officer in the regU-
lar army who will obey orders without
questions - without asking the reason
why?'" The general thought for moment
and then said: Yes Martin Burke Lin
coin then said: please send him to me-
Capt. Burke teegraphed for and in
a few days reported in much bewildermeut
at the White House Gor no explanation
had been made by Gen. ScotD, looking
anything bat a hero he stood in front
of the tall, angular and swartny Presi-
dent. His uniform well-worn and some
what awry: his gray hair tousled; his
shoulders stopped; his form bent, bat be-
set lips there adamant so you are
Capt. Burke" said Lincoln. at the sams
time surveying him from head TO foot VITA
his quick. penetrating eye. Yes, sir tsa-
luting). Gen. Scott tells me that yoI
will obey orders without asking questions
Yes, SIR tsatluting). capt. Burke,
Lincoln said slowly and impressively. I
am going to put you in command OF Fort
Lafayette, which stands at the mouth q.
Hudson river. You are to go there and
stay, never, as you viii soon see, for OBJ
vious reasons, coming iashore. even for n
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 TO con-
fine there. All prisoners sent there will
be confined by my authority and released
by my order, and while there must be
treated with the utmost care, comfort ana
courtesy but by no means allowed to
cape They will be released at once on
swearing allegiance to the Union, and
complying with other formal matters whl1
will be attended to through the War De-
partment No sheriffs other civil otfi-
GERS must under any circumstances be al
lowed to land at the fort. Strictly ouey
these orders and look to ne for protec-
ton
Fort LAFAYETTE was near the close of the
great rebellion abandoned and burned, o.
burned and abandoned, l am not certain
which. When passing the Old ruin. as L
frequently did in going to Sandy Hook, to
paw the small detachment then there.
said to myself, 1t is all in the purpose, the
arm. the end in view. Charles the Fifth
constructed a bastile with which TO SUD-
vert the liberties of men. Lincoln
structed a bastile with which TO conserve
the liberties of men. On the ruins of one
arose the liberties of France, on the ruins
of the other arose the liberties of Amerl-
ca stronger than ever, and more enduring
than the rocks that hold fl leash the wa
tiers of the great North river they flow
on to the deep and bark blue ocean.