The Historical Spectator.

“Two Years of War,” Said Henry Ward Beecher

Like most papers of the day, the Reading (Pennsylvania) paper Father Abraham always included a column of jokes and wit. Here, in late 1864, Henry Ward Beecher boasts of what the Union has accomplished in “two years of war.”

“Two Years of War,” said Henry Ward Beecher on Sunday night, “and we have conquered half the Rebel territory, hold the keys of the whole, and have nearly destroyed the military strength of the Rebellion in the field. All this in two years of war.”

“Four years, you mean,” said a bystander.

“No,” responded Mr. Beecher. “I said two years of war. In the first two, Gen. McClellan was in command!”

From Father Abraham, November 1, 1864.