Wit and Humor of American Statesmen; A Collection from Various Sources Classified Under Appropriate Subject Headings (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II New Stories of Lincoln One day during the war a clerk from the Adjutant-General's Office, called at the White House, and expressed to Mr. Lincoln his desire to be appointed an Assistant AdjutantGeneral. "Do you know whether there are any vacancies in the Adjutant-General's Office at this time? " asked the President. "There are none," replied the clerk, " but it has occurred to me that I might be appointed, and assigned to the staff of some general officer commanding a corps, division, or brigade." "Exactly," said Mr. Lincoln; "but has any corps, division, or brigade commander applied for you on his staff?' "Not that I am aware of," was the answer. "Well, sir, do you know of any general officer who wants you upon his staff?" asked the President. "I cannot say that I do at this time, sir," replied he. "Then," said Mr. Lincoln, "it seems to me that you might just as well ask me to marry you to a woman who didn't want you as to expect me to send you to a General who didn't want a clerk promoted from the Adjutant-General's Office; and if I were to force any General to take you against his wishes, I reckon he would have as good cause to apply for a divorce as the woman would have who didn't want a husband; so that it looks to me, Smith, as if you had bettter remain where you are in the AdjutantGeneral's Office until somebody wants you elsewhere." It will be remembered that while General Grant was investing Petersburg, the President paid a visit to City Point for the purpose of witnessing the progress of the military operations in that quarter. It will also be remembered that at this eventful juncture the public was with breathless anxiety watching every proceeding which had the least bearing upon the issue of the siege. Shortly...