Tough Tarbell Trivia

[Gene C]

I have delayed posting this because I couldn't remember where I read it, but I finally found it.

In regards to Ft. Stevens, Ruth Painter Randall in 'I Mary" mentions that Mary went along with President Lincoln, "probably because she refused to stay behind when he was running a risk....."If he was in danger she was going to share it."..."Mary was terribly frightened and begged her husband to leave the fort, but he refused to do so until he was ready"

But what I remembered most is this
"The incident was a great ordeal to Mary, but what really hurt her most was that the enemy got away. She later made a spirited remark about it to Mr. Stanton, the Secretary of War. After the crisis was over, he said to her one day, "Mrs. Lincoln, I intend to have a full-length portrait of you painted, standing on the ramparts at Fort Stevens overlooking the fight."

"That is very well", Mary retorted. "and I can assure you of one thing Mr. Secretary, If I had a few ladies with me the Rebels would would not have been permitted to get away as they did!" (p. 198-199)

Unfortunately, the source is not referenced, and I do not recall reading it anywhere else.
That would have been an interesting scene to witness.