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 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.