''Abe'' Lincoln's Yarns and Stories - University of Macau Library

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 134President Lincoln wrote to General Hooker on June 5, 1863, warningHooker not to run any risk of being entangled on the Rappahannock "likean ox jumped half over a fence and liable to be torn by dogs, front and rear,without a fair chance to give one way or kick the other." On the 10th hewarned Hooker not to go south of the Rappahannock upon Lee's movingnorth of it. "I think Lee's army and not Richmond is your true objectivepower. If he comes toward the upper Potomac, follow on his flank, and onthe inside track, shortening your lines while he lengthens his. Fight him,too, when opportunity offers. If he stay where he is, fret him, and fret him."On the 14th again he says: "So far as we can make out here, the enemyhave Milroy surrounded at Winchester, and Tyler at Martinsburg. If theycould hold out for a few days, could you help them? If the head of Lee'sarmy is at Martinsburg, and the tail of it on the flank road betweenFredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the animal must be very slimsomewhere; could you not break him?""MRS. NORTH AND HER ATTORNEY."In the issue of London "Punch" of September 24th, 1864, President Lincolnis pictured as sitting at a table in his law office, while in a chair to his rightis a client, Mrs. North. The latter is a fine client for any attorney to have onhis list, being wealthy and liberal, but as the lady is giving her counsel, whohas represented her in a legal way for four years, notice that she proposes toput her legal business in the hands of another lawyer, the dejected lookupon the face of Attorney Lincoln is easily accounted for. "Punch" putsthese words in the lady's mouth:MRS. NORTH: "You see, Mr. Lincoln, we have failed utterly in our courseof action; I want peace, and so, if you cannot effect an amicablearrangement, I must put the case into other hands."In this cartoon, "Punch" merely reflected the idea, or sentiment, current inEngland in 1864, that the North was much dissatisfied with the War policyof President Lincoln; and would surely elect General McClellan to succeedthe Westerner in the White House. At the election McClellan carried but