One of Lincoln’s Little Notes

President Lincoln once wrote to General McClellan, when the latter was in command of the army. General McClellan, as is well known, conducted a waiting campaign, being so careful not to make any mistakes that he made very little headway. President Lincoln sent this brief but exceedingly pertinent letter:

“My Dear McClellan: If you don’t want to use the army I should like to borrow it for a while.”

“Yours respectfully, A. LINCOLN.”