the room of Secretary Stanton. Seeing us, he said:
'Well, gentlemen, have you any matter worth reporting?'

"'I think so, Mr. President,' replied General Tyler. 'We had it proven
that Bragg, with less than ten thousand men, drove your eighty-three
thousand men under Buell back from before Chattanooga, down to the
Ohio at Louisville, marched around us twice, then doubled us up at
Perryville, and finally got out of the State of Kentucky with all his
plunder.'

"'Now, Tyler,' returned the President, 'what is the meaning of all this;
what is the lesson? Don't our men march as well, and fight as well, as
these rebels? If not, there is a fault somewhere. We are all of the same
family--same sort.'

"'Yes, there is a lesson,' replied General Tyler; 'we are of the same
sort, but subject to different handling. Bragg's little force was
superior to our larger number because he had it under control. If a man
left his ranks, he was punished; if he deserted, he was shot. We had
nothing of that sort. If we attempt to shoot a deserter you pardon him,
and our army is without discipline.'

"The President looked perplexed. 'Why do you interfere?' continued
General Tyler. 'Congress has taken from you all responsibility.'

"'Yes,' answered the President impatiently, 'Congress has taken the
responsibility and left the women to howl all about me,' and so he
strode away."

HE'D RUIN ALL THE OTHER CONVICTS.

One of the droll stories brought into play by the President as an ally
in support of his contention, proved most effective. Politics was rife
among the generals of the Union Army, and there was more "wire-pulling"
to prevent the advancement of fellow commanders than the laying of plans
to defeat the Confederates in battle.

However, when it so happened that the name of a particularly unpopular
general was sent to the Senate for confirmation, the protest against
his promotion was almost unanimous. The nomination didn't seem to please
anyone. Generals who were enemies before conferred together for the
purpose of bringing every possible influence to bear upon the Senate
and securing the rejection of the hated leader's name. The President was
surprised. He had never known such unanimity before.

"You remind me," said the President to a delegation of officers which
called upon him one day to present a fresh protest to him regarding the
nomination, "of a visit a certain Governor paid to the Penitentiary of
his State. It had been