Extra Credit Questions

[RJNorton]

Another book that has interesting Tad/Willie stories is Julia Taft Bryne's Tad Lincoln's Father. Prior to Willie's death in 1862, Julia (16 years old) often took her younger brothers to the White House to play with Tad and Willie. When there were rumors Washington might be attacked, the boys built a fort on the roof of the White House. Tad told Julia about the fort:

"You ought to see the fort we've got on the roof of our house," he said proudly. "Let 'em come. Willie and I are ready for 'em." My brothers and I inspected the "fort" a day or so later. It did not present a very formidable appearance, with a small log to represent a cannon and a few old condemned rifles, but the boys took a great deal of pride in it and laid private plans for the defense of the White House in case the city was attacked. All that year the roof of the White House was a favorite playground of the boys, representing alternately a fort or the deck of a man of war, according to their mood at the moment."

(from pp. 68-69)