Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-07-09
The President at the FrOnt---The Difficulties
He Observation-Disclosures He Went and
What Tie Saw.

He Observation-Disclosures He Went ans
What He Saw.
Correspondence of the New York Herald.
On Tuesday, the 2lst, about one o'clock, {
long, gaunt bony man, with a queer admix
ture of the eomcal and the doleful in hi;
eountenanee, undertook to reach the Gener
ais tent, by serambling through hedge row
and coming in the back way alone. He was
stopped by one of the hostlers, and told to
" keep out of here" The individual in black
replied that he thought General Grant would
allow him inside, and strobe ahead. "Youll
damned soon find out" was yelled in reply.
On reaching the guard, he was stopped with,
% No sanitary folks allowed inside" After
some parleying, the intruder was compelled
to give his name, and announced himself to
be Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
States, desiring an interview with General
Grant. The guard saluted and allowed him
to pass. General Grant recognized him as he
stepped under the large fly +" in front of his
tent, rose and shook hands with him cordial
ly, and then introduced him to such men,
bers of the staff as were present and unac-
auainted. 1t was ascertained that the Presi-
dent had just arrived on the City of Balti-
more, and was accompanied by his son 'Tad, I"
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox, Mr..
Chadwick, proprietor of Wizards Hotel, and
a marine guard The conversation soon took
a wide free-and-easy range until dinner was
announced. The President was duly seated,
ate much as other mortals, managed to wiring
in three favorite jokes during the meal, un-
der the plea of illustrating the topics discus
sed, and kept every one on the qai 0iOe for
others until the party rose.
He was very naturally DESTROYS of riding
to the front, so at o'clock, horses were
brought up, the President mounted on Gen.
Grants thoroughbred, Cincinnatus, the Gen.
eral on Egypt, "Tad" on the Generals black
pony, JEFF. Davis, and, accompanied by
large proportion of the staff and escort, the
party rode to the headquarters of General
Wright, commanding the 9th corps, where
Gen. Meade and staff met them. The loca-
ton commands as good view OF Petersburg
as can yet be obtained from our lines. Maps
were brought out and examined, the position
of the army explained, its future operations
discussed, the steeples and spires of the city
observed, as well as the dust and smoke
would allow, national airs were played by the
band, the enemy's works on the opposite side
of the Appomattox inspected, and after a
stay of an hour and hall, the party started
on its return to headquarters. On the way
out, many persons recognized the Presidents
physiOgnomy. The news soon spread, and on
places with weather beaten veterans, anxious
to catch glimpse of Old Abe. One cavalry
private recognized him on the road. Mr..
Lincoln shook him by the hand like an old ia
miliar acquaintance, to the infinite admira-
ton of the bystanders.
Perhaps the notable feature of the ride
was the passing of a brigade of negro troops.
The troops were Longing by the roadside,
but seemed to know by instinct who was APP
preaching. They came rushing, and almost, to
the horses feet, by hundreds, yelling. Shout
ing, "Hurrrah for the Liberatori +" Hurrah
for the President /" and were perfectly wild
with excitement and delight. Ii was spon-
taneous outburst of genuine love and affec-
ton for the man they look upon as their "de-
liver from bondage" and their wild huzzas
were perfectly deafening. The President un-
covered as he rode through their ranks, and
bowed on every hand to his sable admirers.
The cayalcade arrived at headquarters about
nine o'clock, took tea and chatted short
time, when the visitors departed to their
state-rOoms on the steamboat.
At seven O'Clock in the morning of June
22d Major General Butler and his staff pro-
ceeded on board the Baltimore and exchanged
congratulations with the Chief Magistrate,
who was accompanied by Mr.. Assistant Sec
rotary Fox, Mr.. Assistant Secretary Charles
A. Dana, General Barnard, g Little Tad, and
his playmate, named Perry The exceeding
cordiality that marked the entire interview
between the President and the Major General
was especially noticeable. 1t
was frank and zestful, and carried the con-
victiOn that the two eminent men we're in
entire concord upon all public and social is
sues. All being on board, and everything
being ready, the Baltimore steamed up the
James river to the feet, where Admiral Lee
and party were taken on. The party then
proceeded up the river to the monitor Oblon-
dagd, near Crows Nest, where the vessel was
boarded and carefully inspected.
The entire party then went ashore, and
mounting horses made a grand tour of the
Notifications, the troops throughout cheering
the President and General Butler alternately.
All this being over, the party proceeded to
General Buffers marquee, where an elegant
and substantial lunch was supplied, of which
all partook most heartily after the forenoon
fatigue.
Shortly after two o'clock in the afternoon
the President signifed his intention of imme.
diately returning to Washington. Proceed
ing aboard the Greyhound, attended by Gen.
Butler and staff, he joined the Baltimore and
left this scene, after an uncommonly pleasant,
satisfactory and instructive visit.