Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-03-07


quacy to the situation, Washington,
and especially the chambers Of con-
gress, rcaounded with complaints Of
his sluggishncss, his unwillingness to
take responsibilities, and his supposed
incapacity to grasp the whole military
situation. doubt II the most out
spoken and malignant copperhead in
congress was SO dislihed, SO rallied
against, and SO reviled by the more
radical members as this unfortunate
general In chief.
The belief that some new man, no
matter who he might be, could vIor-
ously prosecute the war and bring q
rpeedy peace II he were in Ilallcck's
place made possible the passage Of tn
bill reviving the rank Of lieutenant
general Of the army. Oddly enough,
men who complained that the presi
dent chung tenaciously to Gen. lIalleck
as his military adviser, never doubted
for moment that Mr.. Lincoln was
more than willing that the rank should
be revived with the distinct
understanding that Grant should
be the wearer of the title, and by vir-
tue thereof become ut once generals
simo OF all the military forces Of thu
United States
That the president did cling to Hal.
leck, in spite of the very general popu-
lar disfavor with which the general
was regarded, Is well known. When I
ventured one day to say to the presi-
dent that IIalleck was disliked because
many people supposed that he was too
timid and hesitating in his military
conduct, Mr. Lincolns face at once
wore sober, almost severe, expression
as he said that he was lIalleck's friend
because nobody else was. Other men
had received from the president
somewhat similar impression; ana
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 clanorous for
more vigorous prosecution Of the war
were eagerly turning to the "licuten-
ant-gcneral BILL" as 1t was called, as
the readiest way to be rid Of Gen. Hal
liable ollora1 rlntvuncs
If there was any doubt as to the
popularity Of Grantin Washington land
he was disposed to regard that city rs
place of snares), the arrival Of the
nowly created lieutenant general
effectually dissipatcd it. lie had been
called to the capital, and had arrived
there late in the afternoon of March :,
1864
That evening, as it CHANGED, was the
occasion Of the usual weekly reception
ut the white house, and thithcr 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 fer time, from the
madness Of the multitude. Women
were caught UP and whirlcd in the
torrent which swept through the
great east room. Ladies' suffered dire
disaster In the crueh and confusion;
their laces were torn and criMpliuos
mpshed; and people got upon sous,
chairs and tables to be ont Of harms
way or to get better view Of The spec
taclc.
IL was the only real mob ever saw
in the white house. 1t was an indie
scribable scene of curiosity, joy and
pleasure. For once at least the presi-
dent Of the United States WINS not the
chief figure in the picture. The little
scnred-looliing man who stood on a
crimson covered sofa was the idol OF
the hour. lie remained on view for a
short time; then he WIS quietly snug
gled out by friendly hands, and next
day he departed from thc city, which
be then appeared to dread so much, to
begin the last and mightiest chapter in
his military career.-Noah Brooks, in
Century.