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The first time that
General E. V. Sumner's name made any considerable impression upon me was in connection with our new
President's quick and secret journey from
Harrisburg to
Washington just before his first inauguration.
There was for the time great excitement on the subject.
Mr. Lincoln had left his home in
Illinois on February 11, 1861.
He experienced nothing harmful-only an ovation all the way. The people at halting places thronged to see him and insisted on speeches from him. He passed from
Philadelphia to
Harrisburg on February 23d, and addressed the Legislature there assembled.
Being weary after his continued receptions, speeches, and excitement, he went to the
Jones house and retired to his apartments for needed rest.
It was given out publicly that he would not leave
Harrisburg till the next morning, but
Mr. W. F. Seward, son of
William H. Seward, suddenly arrived from
Washington and promptly conveyed to
Mr. Lincoln the startling information from
Senator Seward and
General Scott, that he was to be assassinated in
Baltimore while
en route to
Washington.
The story, which from subsequent testimony, positive and direct, was fully substantiated, was at the time hardly credited by
Mr. Lincoln himself, yet there appeared to most of his advisers who were present
