Team of Rivals

"The story is told of an army colonel who rode out to the Soldiers' Home, hopeful of securing Lincoln's aid in recovering the body of his wife, who had died in a steamboat accident.  His brief period of relaxation interrupted, Lincoln listened to the colonel's tale but offered no help.  'Am I to have no rest?  Is there no hour or spot when or where I may escape this constant call?  Why do you follow me out here with such business as this?'  The disheartened colonel returned to his hotel in Washington.  The following morning, Lincoln appeared at his door.  'I was a brute last night,' Lincoln said, offering to help the colonel in any way possible."  (512)