Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17

expected the like obedience in others. a
man who hated politics and despised trick
cry.
A heavy rain was falling the second day
of Grants stay in Washington. but he did
not allow il To interfere with his work.
All day he rode about visiting the fortif-
cations. That night he dined with Secre-
tary Seward delighting everybody by his
simple directness of manner. He said lit
tie but every word counted. The city
was mad to see him. All day crowds
surged To and fro in the hope of catching
"A momentary glimpse OF him.
A thousand Invitations 10 dine were
waiting for him; but he kept under cover.
and the next day he started for the head
quarters of the Army of the Potomac He
spent one day in swift absorbed study
of the situation. The day after he re-
turned to Washington and started for
Nashville to arrange his affairs there SO
that he could return east. He had found
il necessary to take command OF the
Army of the Potomac in person, or at
least to make his headquarters in the
field with il. He told the President that
nine days would enable him to put his
western command in.shape TO leave it.
This intent, undertaking and unhesi-
tating action was a revelation of power TOT
the east. \ newspaper account said: HE
hardly slept on his long journey east. yet
he went 10 work at once. Senators state
with joy that he is not going to hire
house in Washington and make war
ridiculous by attempting to maneuver bat
ties from an armchair in Washington
His refusal 10 dine and to lend himself
to any "show business was commented
on with equal joy The citizens of Wash
ington could scarcely believe he had Wis
tied the city at all. y New York news
paper said: We have found our hero
Returning to Nashville. he quickly made
his dispositions. His own command
there sherman WAS 10 take. and McPher-
son. Sherman's While Logan moved into
McPherSon's command. These men Grant
felt that he could trust absolutely, and
though disappointed rivals complained Sc
verely, It made no difference. Promptly
at the end OF his nine days he was back
in Washington.
On the day of his return he held his
.first Interview with Lincoln alone. Lin
coin said, in his humorous fashion:
II have never PROGRESSED to be n mill
tary man nor to know how campaigns
should be conducted. and never wanted
to interfere in them. But procrastination
on tho part Of generals. and the pressure
of the people at the north and OF Con-
gresS. which is always with one, nave
forced me into issuing a series of mill
tary orders. / don't know but they were
ali wrong. and I'm pretty certain some or
them Were Al / wanted on ever wanted.
is some one to take he responsibility and
act-and call on me for all assistance
needed | pledge myself 10 use all the
power OF government n rendering such
assistance
That was the substance of the inter-
view. Grant replying simply: Il VIII do
the best | can. Mr.. rr 'sident, with the
means Il: hand he went straighta 10
Headquarters at cu.pepcr. ana The news
papers deiishtediy quoted him as saying
on his arrival: 'Thorn viii be no grand
review ard no snow business.
Lincoln said later. III reply to "A ques-
ton: ~ cont know Gen. Grants plans,
and | don't want ia know them. Thank
God I've 90; a genera at last,
copyright, :. :. Mcclure Cos