Scatter Brained

C H A P T E R   5

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S C A T T E R B R A I N E D
1864:
 Union general John Sedgwick steps over the battle 
parapets during a lull in fi ghting. When another offi
  cer says it 
might not be safe, Sedgwick confi dently retorts, “Th
 ey 
couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist—”
APRIL 14, 1865:
 Abraham Lincoln leans over to hold his 
wife’s hand. Mary pulls away, embarrassed, and says, “What 
will people think?” Abe answers, “Th
  ey won’t think anything 
of  it.”  Twelve  days  later,  John  Wilkes  Booth  is  caught  and 
shot, whereupon he speaks his own last words—reported to 
have been the apropos “Useless! Useless!”