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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 196notepaper."Then pacing off a distance of about eighty or a hundred feet," writes theclerk, "he raised the rifle to a level, took a quick aim, and drove the roundof seven shots in quick succession, the bullets shooting all around the targetlike a Gatling gun and one striking near the center."'I believe I can make this gun shoot better,' said Mr. Lincoln, after we hadlooked at the result of the first fire. With this he took from his vest pocket asmall wooden sight which he had whittled from a pine stick, and adjusted itover the sight of the carbine. He then shot two rounds, and of the fourteenbullets nearly a dozen hit the paper!"LENIENT WITH McCLELLAN.General McClellan, aside from his lack of aggressiveness, fretted thePresident greatly with his complaints about military matters, his obtrusivecriticism regarding political matters, and especially at his insultingdeclaration to the Secretary of War, dated June 28th, 1862, just after hisretreat to the James River.General Halleck was made Commander-in-Chief of the Union forces inJuly, 1862, and September 1st McClellan was called to Washington. Theday before he had written his wife that "as a matter of self-respect, I cannotgo there." President Lincoln and General Halleck called at McClellan'shouse, and the President said: "As a favor to me, I wish you would takecommand of the fortifications of Washington and all the troops for thedefense of the capital."Lincoln thought highly of McClellan's ability as an organizer and hisstrength in defense, yet any other President would have had himcourt-martialed for using this language, which appeared in McClellan'sletter of June 28th:"If I save this army now, I tell you plainly that I owe no thanks to you or toany other person in Washington. You have done your best to sacrifice this