“Major-General, I Reckon”
At one time the President had the appointment of a large additional number of brigadier and major-generals. Among the immense number of applications, Mr. Lincoln came upon one wherein the claims of a certain worthy (not in the service at all) “for a generalship” were glowingly set forth. But the applicant didn’t specify whether he wanted to be brigadier or major-general.
The President observed this difficulty, and solved it by a lucid indorsement. The clerk, on receiving the paper again, found written across its back, “Major-General, I reckon. A. Lincoln.”