Origin of "Uncle Sam."

The favorite pseudonym for the American Government is "Uncle Sam." It arose during the war of 1812 when Samuel Wilson was inspector of provisions for the American Army at Troy. The abbreviation of "U. S." (United States) marked on the casks was unfamiliar to the people, and one of the workmen, in sport, said it must mean "Uncle Sam" Wilson. The good inspector was often rallied on the rapid increase of his possessions; and when his men entered the army the joke about "Uncle Sam" was spread from camp-fire to camp-fire until it permeated all the armies in the field. All Government supplies marked U. S. came to stand for "Uncle Sam," until finally Uncle Sam came to stand for the United States Government.