The National tribune., 1896-10-01

cation with City Point not having been
established, and Admiral Porter. instead
of delaying landing to notify him Of
their presence, and awaiting his arrival
with carriage and strong military es-
cort to protect the President from any
possible DANGER as it was his duty to do.
formed his little party and set out on
his hunt for the Headquarters of Gen.
Weitzel. Admiral Porter could not
have realized the grave responsibility he
assumed in exposing Mr.. Lincoln to
assassination at the hands of some
fanatic who by his death might seek to
ayenge the fall of the city, and by re-
moving him seek to immortalize himself
and win the applause and gratitude Of
the South.
Fortunately for the Nation, no act of
violence was attempted, and the visit of
the President was one continued ovation.
His coming was not unexpected, as the
Eeeaimg Hhsq resumed publication that
day, Ga half-sheet, printed on coarse,
yellow paper and contained the fol-
lowing notice:
ave learn that it is not improbable
His Excellency, President Lincoln, will
reach the city this afternoon"
Tie news of his arrival quickly spread
through the city, and by the time the
little procession had reached the market
house On Main street, some four or five
blocks from the landing, the crowd had
swelled to several hundred, mostly COM
posed of oolored persons old and young,
of both sexes.
Six marines with fixed bayonets
marched in front, the President, with
Admiral Porter, liz full uniform, on his
right, Tad holding to his left hand,
Capt. Penrcse and Lieut.. Carroll, fol-
lowing and four armed marines bring
ing up the rear
The President was dressed In black.
His tall form, surmounted with high
silk hat,
TowERFD ABOVE HIS COMPANIONS,
and was conspicuous sight for every
one. The usual solemn, careworn ex-
preston on his face had given place to
one of pleasure, and perhaps of amuse-
ment, at his unique reception, and the
manner in which the crowd were ex-
pressing their JOY at his coming.
Clearing the street and placing our
escort of 10 cavalrymen in rear Of the
marines they were the troop of cavalry
referred TO by Admiral Porter in his
history of this visit, published in his
History of the e. S. Navy, page 799, as
having been sent by Gen. Weitzel, at
his request for an escort we took the
advance and escorted the little process
sion to the mansion of Jefferson Davis.
the Headquarters of Gen. WeitzelE
The march was by the way of Main and
Franklin streets to Governor, to Twelfth,
and out Twelfth to the corner of CLAY
street.
AT every step the crowd increased in
numbers, filling the sidewalks and street,
entirely surrounding our party and fill
ing the air with their cheering and cries
of JOY. They came from cross-streets
and alleys, from every direction in the
city. and SO rapidly did they gather
they seemed to spring from the very
earth, and by the time we reached the
Daris mansion the majority of the
colored population of the city were pay
ing homage, in their way, to MIR. Lin
.oln.
Nor were the freedmen alone In vel
coming him. After entering the city.
one OF Gen. Weitzers first acts was to
issue an order requesting the citizens to
remain for the present quietly within !
their houses" This order was generally |
observed. but the shouting and cheering |
announcing the presence of the Presi- |
dent brought many loyal whites to the |
sidewalks, anxious for sight of their
dellyerer from rebel oppression.