New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-13
LINCOLN "REMINISCENCES
Five Vino Knew Him Speak Be-
fore Genealogical Society.
GENERAL WILSON'S STORY
Great Emancipator' Spent
Night in Telegraph Office Dur
ing Battle of Bull Run.

The New York Genealogical and Bio
graphical Society held commemorative
1incoin's Birthday meeting at its club
house. No. 22e West 18Th street. yester-
day at which five men spoke who had
known Lincoln during his administration
. as President. Clarence Winthrop Bowen.
president Of the society, presided.
General James Grant Wilson. Henry
Clews Colonel Albert r. Chandler. David
Homer Bates and Charles 4. Tinker. tie
last three having been telegraph opera
tors in the War Department az Washing
ton during the Civil War. Were the speak
crs. An oil painting of Lircoln was cX-
hibited at the meeting. which is a replica
made I'm 1857 OF IL" original study painted
IN the White House i'm 1854 by Frank i.
Carpcntcr FOR the portrait Of Lincoln in
the large painting Emancipation Proc
lamation." now in the Capitol at Wash
ington.
General Wilson related some touching
"reminiscences Of his acquaintance ana as
sociation With Lincoln in Washington
during the civil War. Incidentally the
speaker was proud to show a pair o. cum
links which were given Ivy George WASH
ington to Benedict Arnold after tho Bat
tie Of Saratoga. in l70I When Arnold
turned traitor he had no further use for
the Washington liyks and gave them 10
British army officer. They were passed
along from one man to another until
finally they fell into the hands of General
Wilson
General Wilson said he frat met Lin
coin i'm October. 1853. when Lincoln ana
Stephen A. Douglas we're holding their
famous public debates on the slavery
question General Wilson related how
early IN the var lie had received word
that his brother had been MORALLY
wounded in battle and had received a
thirty days furloGsh TO 60 to Washing
ton and visit his brother. who was in the
Georgetown hospital lie called al TN"
White House TO pay his respects TO the
President. he said and when the latter
learned why General Wilson-then Coloncl
Wison-was In Washington. he asked the
colonel 10 call the next day, and he would
walk 10 the hospital with him 10 80" tho
wounded officer.
When | called 1t the White House the
following day" said General Wilson. !
found a member Of Congress from Buf-
falo pleading the cause of constituent
The CONGRESSMAN looked ~ mo Gs much
as to say that he would appr"ciat" II II
would withdraw. President Lincoln
caught the Congressman's glance. ana
said: It's all right. John 80 rRh'
ahead with your oratory."
When the CONGRESSMAN mad hnlsned
Tho President locked ~ hin. hfst on ono
side OF his face and then on 'he other'
and remarked: Why John. how close
Won shave, The Congressman took IN"
Presidents remark good natuiedi\' ana
We al three left the White House To-
gether IN good spirits.
After the Congressman had l'it us
,urn.d to Mr.. Lincoln and asked him u
that was the way hc handed congress
men. We'll" ne replied. you mustn't
think. colonel that YOU have all the
strategy I'm the army. We have 10 use
little in Washington. now and then.
Henry Clews delivered an address on
Lincoln the Man. His Character ana
lis Acts" Nj. Cl"ws recalled som" oil
the occasions when he met and talked
with President Lincoln when h. was IN
Washington To soc secretary Chase Of tn"
Treasury in regard 70 the government
loans during the Rebellion.
David Homer Bates was manager 81
tha War Department telegraph otic" an"
clphor operator during the Cirl war
Colonel Chandler ami Mr.. Tinker were
associated with him ia the telegraph
Office. They told Of President Lincoln =
frequent visits 10 the War department
telegraph Office and tn" friendly inter-
course they enjoyed with him.
pn,,ue tho first battle Of Bull Run ana
ON several other momentous occasions
during the war President Lincoln had
snent the night in the telegraph ONCE
Mr. Bates said
President Bowen announced ihai la"
renee f.. Gillespie. Anna Burr Jennings
and Vincent Astor had recently ieeh
allotted members Of tho society.