The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-02-04
LINCOLN AND GRANT.
Opposition to the Grade of Lieutenant
General.

The Only Thing that Made 1t Possible
Was Dissatisfaction with Halleck-
Lionizing Grant in Washington.
Mr.. Noah Brooks was one of the pest
known newspaper men in Washington dul-
lug war time, and he was admitted TO uh-
usu al intimacy with Lincoln. MI. brooks
has been contributing a series OF personsl
recoilections of Lincoln and of the members
of his cabinet to the Century. In the hep-
ruary number of the magazine be says:
1t is interesting to call to mind some OF
the forces which made Grant the geneTal-in-
chief of the armies of the United States,
and some of the incidents that attended the
Consummation of that historic work. IL
by no means a grateful task for the
Congressman of that time to lend a mana
in creating the grade of Northumberland
in the army, although there WAS no ques-
ton as to the whom that distinction
should be conferred. / question very much
if the bill to revive the grade of Lieutenant
general would have gone through Congress
then if it had not been for the very general
dissatisfaction with Gen. HaIleCk, who was
acting as general-in-chief with headqunr-
tiers at Washington. This dissatisfaction
was constantly inc1 ca sing, and, although
the country at large did not seem to be
very keenIy alive to Halleck's inadequacy
to he situation, Washington. and especially
the chambers of Congress. resouLded with
complaints of his s1uggishness, his unwill-
ingness to take responsibilities. and his
supposed incapacity to grasp the whole mil
itary situation. l doubt if the most out
spoken and malignant Copperhead in Con-
gress was so disliked. SO rallied against, and
so reyiled by the more radical members
as this unfortunate general-in-chief.
The belief that some new man, no matter
who he might he, could vigorously prose-
cute he war and bring speedy peace II he
were in Hallecks place, made possible the
lassage of the bill reviving the rank OF
Acknowledgement of the army. Oddly
enough, men who complained that the Pres
ident chung tenaciously to Cen. dalleck as
his military adviser, never doubted for
moment that Mr.. Lincoln was more than
willing that the rank should be revived
with the distinct understa nding that Grant
should be the wearer of the title. and by
virtue thereof become at once the general |
issilno of all the military forces of the |
United States.
That the President did cling to Halleck, |
in spite of the very general popular disfa- |
vor with which the general was regarded, |
is we'll known. When ventured. one day, |
to say to the President that Halleck was |
disliked because many people supposed |
that he was too timid and hesitating in his
military conduct, Mr.. Lincoln face at once |
wore sober. almost severe, expression as
he said that he was Halleck's friend be-
cause nobody else was. Other mon had re-
ceived from the President a somewhat SINH |
lar impression; and. whatever may have
been thought of the very remote possibility
that any other man than Gen. Grant would
be called to the head of the armies, Con-
gressmen who were clamorous for a more
vigorous prosecution of the war were eager
ly turning 10 the ''lieutenant-general BILL"
as it was called. as the readiest way to be
rid OF Gen. Halleck's alleged slowness.
If there was any doubt as to the popular
ity of Grant in Washington land he was
disposed to regard that city as a place of
snares). he arrival of the newly created
lieutenant-general effectuaily dissipated it
He had been called to the capitol. and had
arrived there late in the afternoon of
March 8, 1864.
cason of the usual weekly reception at the
White House, and thither Gen. Grant went
by special invitation. Thither too went
throngs of people when it was known that
he would be on view with the President
So great was the crowd, and so wild the
rush to get near the general. that he was
obliged at last to mount sofa where he
could be seen, and where he was secure. at
least for time, from the madness of the
multitude. Women were caught up and
whirled in the torrent which swept through
the great East Room. Ladies suffered dire
disaster in the crush and con Infusion: their
laces were torn and rinolines mashed; and
people got upon sofas, chairs, and tables to
be out of haIm's way or to get better view
OF the spectacle.
1t was the only real mob l ever saw in
the White House. 1t was an indescribable
scene of curiosity. joy. and pleasure. For
once at least the President of the United
States was not the chief figure in the pic
ture. The little, scared-looking man who
stood on crimson covered sofa was the
idol the hour. He remained on view for d
short time: then he quietly struggled
out by friendly hands. and next day he de-
parted from the city, which he then ap-
peaIed to drea0 SO much, to begin the last
and mightiest chapter in his military ca
reer.
Women's Maine Indian Association.
The regular monthly meeting of the
Woman7s Maine Indian Association will be |
held in the vestry of Free street church, on |
Fruasdav Fabruarv al R O'Clock n m