Xviii.
General Grant reached
Washington, after his nomination to the
Lieutenant-Generalship, the evening of March 8th, 1864.
His reception at Willard's Hotel, unaccompanied by staff or escort, was an event never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. Later in the evening he attended the Presidential levee, entering the reception-room unannounced.
He was recognized and welcomed by the
President with the utmost cordiality, and the distinguished stranger was soon nearly overwhelmed by the pressure of the crowd upon him.
Secretary Seward at length mounting a sofa, pulled the modest hero up by his side, where he stood for some time, bowing his acknowledgments to the tumultuous assemblage.
He subsequently remarked that this was “his warmest campaign during the war.”
The next day at one o'clock he was formally
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presented by the
President with his commission as
Lieutenant-General.
The ceremony took place in the presence of the
Cabinet,
the Hon. Mr. Lovejoy, and several officers of the army, and was very brief and simple, as became the character of each of the illustrious chief actors.
On the day following
General Grant visited the Army of the Potomac, and upon his return to
Washington he made preparations to leave immediately for the
West.
At the close of a consultation with the
President and
Secretary of War, he was informed that
Mrs. Lincoln expected his presence the same evening at a military dinner she proposed to give in his honor.
The General at once responded that it would be impossible for him to remain over,--he “must be in
Tennessee at a given time.”
“But we can't excuse you,” returned the
President.
“It would be the play of ‘Hamlet’ with
Hamlet left out, over again.
Twelve distinguished officers, now in the city, have been invited to meet you.”
“I appreciate fully the honor
Mrs. Lincoln would do me,” replied the
General, hesitatingly, knocking the ashes off the end of his cigar; “but — time is very precious just now — and — really,
Mr. President, I believe I have had enough of the ‘
show’ business!”
The dinner was given; the twelve officers did full justice to it; but it is needless to add, the
Lieutenant-General was not one of the number.