Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>"BREAK THE CRITTER WHERE SLIM!"</h3> <p>Lincoln's letters to his generals would be a revelation of character if it were not already famed. He warns "Fighting Joe" Hooker, in June, 1863, "not to get entangled on the Rappahannock, like an 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." Later: "Fight Lee, too, when opportunity offers. If he stays where he is, fret him--and fret him!" Finally: "If the head of Lee's army is at Martinsburg, and the tail on the plank road between Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the critter must be slim <i>somewhere</i>; could you not break him there?" <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />