The National tribune., 1909-05-06
SALUTE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
Abraham Lincoln Took on His HIT
to Him.


Editor National Tribune: The centen-
NAL of the Great Emancipator makes a
good time to put a true incident in the
life of Lincoln into print. During some-
thing over two years of the civil war
the 1St Mass. III. A. was stationed oppo-
site our National Capital, doing garri-
son duty and protecting Washington
At one time Co. F was stationed at Fort
De Kalb, near Georgetown. Just across
ravfne near us was Fort Smith, garri-
soned by an artillery company of New
Workers, where they were trying an
experiment of firing "fougade" with
electricity. 1t would take some time to
explain the working of a "fougade."
Suffice 1t to say 1t was of sufficient i'm
portance to call out several of the nota-
bles from the Capital, from Abide
Camp to President. These notable vis-
itors all came thru Georgetown, and
had to pass our fort to reach Smith.
We expected President Lincoln, and had
prepared to fire a salute of 81 guns in
his honor, but he sent ON word mot tc
burn any powder on his account" OF
course, we gave up the salute. We'll,
the time for the experiment had ar
rived, and several Washington visitors
had passed our fort on the way to
Smith. The officers and many of the
men from De Kalb had all gone over,
with the exception of Lieut.. Col.
wright, commanding the post, and the
guard, the writer being officer of the
same. Col. Wright, with some ladies.
passed into the fort and climbed the
parapet, having field glass with which
70 see the stones and shells thrown into
the air at the explosion of the fougade.
Just then very ordinary-looking car
rage ana horses came slowly up to-
wards the entrance to our fort, driving
on as IL they were going straight into
the fort, and to allow a team of any
Kind to drive into the fort was strictly
against orders. The Officer of the
Guard ordered the sentinel at the gate
TO stop that team" The sentinel in
stead of obeying the order, stood to one
slde, and acted as If he would present
arms. Then the officer of the Guard
drew his sword. and. stepping in front
OF the advancing horses, commanded
HIATT! The command was instantly
oDeyed' ana gentleman in the back
seat OF the carriage leaned over to one
SIDE, so he could see the obstruction
ahead, and motioned the officer to come
TO him. He did so, looking only at the
man giving the invitation, who proved
to be Solicitor Whiting. Mr.. Whiting
asked
What fort is this?"
The Officer Of the Guard answered:
Fort De Kalb"
Who is your commanding officer?"
"Lieut.-Col. Wright"
Where Is he now?"
HE Is in the fort with some ladies'"
Then said Solicitor Whiting: "I wish
you would tell him the President of the
United States is at the gate, and would
like to see him."
The astonished Officer of the Guard.
looking up to the mar on the other end
of the seat, got his first look at short
range OF Honest Old Abe" Fortunate
iy he was not so confused by his dis
eovery. but he thought to command.
Guard. fall I'M" and ran at once into
the fort, saying:
United States is at the gate, and would
like to see you!"
The effect of those words upon the
Colonel was instantaneous He Jumped
six feet from the parapet to the terre-
piein of the fort. unceremoniously leav-
ing his ladies' to look out for themselves.
The Officer of the Guard returned to
ms post al the head of his guards, who
mad fallen beautifully into line Col.
Wright made for the Presidents car
riage as fast as his feet could take him,
where Solicitor Whiting introduced him
to the President. The Colonel was in
vited to seat in the carriage to act as
escort to Fort Smith, and the driver
started up, taking the President to q
point exactly opposite the head of the
column. of guards, when the Officer of
the Guard commanded: present armsi"
The command was obeyed with alacrity
and precision, and President Lincoln
took off his famous tall hat and, with
one Of his rare smiles, looked directly
at me and bowed his head. The car
riage turned to the left and started for
the scene Of the experiment. This Is
the first and only time the President
OF the United States took off his hat to
the writer, who was then a Free Bap-
tist minister In embryo.
If this should reach the eye of any
comrade who was on guard at that
time, write me.-Thomas A. Stevens,
Sergeant, Co. F. 1st Mass. H. A., Keuka
Park, N. Y.