They were disappointed, however, to find that the cellar
contained little wine, and were about setting the honorable owner
down for a disciple of temperance, when they came upon a barrel of
rare old Bourbon whisky.
This discovery caused great rejoicing, the news of it spread far and
wide among the officers, and not an order was obeyed for the rest of
the day. So you will see, my son, that while the superior generals
and their staffs were banqueting on Mr. Riggs's bull, the field
officers were besieging their brains with Mr. Blair's choice whisky.
The city was perfectly safe while this state of revelry existed. And
I feel, my son, that you will agree with me that Mr. Blair deserves
well of his country for supplying his cellar with this remarkable
weapon of defense. Let the future historian bear in mind that the
War Department can claim no credit for the safety of Washington. The
credit of saving Washington belongs exclusively to Mr. Riggs's bull
and Mr. Montgomery Blair's barrel of whisky. They furnished the
feast that stole away the brains of General Early's officers, and
caused the delay that saved the city.
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