Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-15
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

Axv 1 AL ~ AAAN
Lieut.. Gen. Grant, who had just been
raised to the highest military rank in this
country and summoned east
Gen. Grant for a conference with the
49, President, reached Wash
ington on the afternoon of
March 8. 1854 His coming had been
heralded in advance and there was great
public interest in him. as he was not a
familiar figure in Washington, but the
fame Of his achievements in the western
campaign had grown great The Star Of
March 8. 1864, thus described his arrival:
Tho afternoon papers of yesterday
having announced that Lieut.. Gen. Grant
Will arrive on the $50 pm. train. a large
crowd assembled at the depot to get a
glimpse at the hero of many battles
There was no public demonstration. but at
$50. when the shrill whistle of the engine
announced the approach of the train, a big
rush was made for the rear end of the
depot. The general and his son. accom-
panied by Gen. Rollins (Rawlins), chief
of staff. and -ol. Comstock, chief as
sistant and inspector general. occupied
seats in n special car provided by Will
liam P. Smith, master of transportation
of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. AS
the party alighted from the car the crowd
gave three hearty cheers for Gen. Grant,
which the general acknowledged by bow
ing courteously, Upon the arrival of the
party in the hall company OF the
invalid corps on duty there were drawn
up in line under command Of Lieut.. New
passed through with head uncovered and
on reaching the street was ushered into
a hack and driven rapidly to WIZARDS
Eotel. The general reached Wizards
without being recognized on the way, his
features not being familiar to the public.
but had hardly got seated at the dinner
table ere the fact of his presence became
known, when the Hon. J. X. Moorehead
rose and proposed three cheers for the
hero OF Vicksburg, which were Joined in by
the three or four hundred people, who
arose to their feet simultaneously, the
ladies taking part by the waving of hand
kerchiefs The guests of the hotel
pressed toward Gen. Grant, but Mr.. Chad
wick stepped forward and announced that
the general had travelled some distance
and that his 'rations' were before him
and time should be allowed the general
to dispose of them, after which, he had
no doubt, Cen. Grant would receive all
who called upon him. The general ap-
peared somewhat worn with travel, but
has the modest. calm. self-possessed look
of the true hero, of light build, with frank,
genial face, clear blue eyes, light hair
ami sandy whiskers. mixed with gray ,
That night Gen. Grant attended the re-
ception at the White House, which was
made a special occasion
Presidents on account of his pres
ence. In The Star of
heceptioA. March g. 1864. is the fol-
lowing account of the affair
"A few moments after o o'clock Lieut.
Gen. Grant, in company with his staff
officers entered the White House and
were presented to the President and Mrs.
Lincoln. who received them with warm
cordially. and entered into conversation
with their distinguished guests, OBTAINING
them in the reception room Tor some
time Shortly afterward Cen Grant was
escorted into the east room by Secretary
Seward. when gentleman present
mounted chair and proposed three
cheers for Gen Grant, three for President
Lincoln and three for Secretary Seward,
which were given with tremendous EN-
phasis The crowd then made a rush
toward the general, when IL became
necessary for him to occupy a standing
position upon a sofa. where he remained
for an hour or more. receiving the con-
CALCULATIONS of the throng who pressed
forward to shake him by the hand. The
hustling and jostling OF parties anxious
to get near the general was terrihc. ana
many an unfortunate Individual hao MS
corns trod upon.
Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln. as usual, gave
a kindly welcome to the visitors. Our
lady readers may like to know tnat
Mrs. l.. was attired in a heavy white
MORE antique dress. festooned with
narrow white silk ribbon. and wore a
.l,n brn
the shoulders. having upon her head
a wreath of flowers. At quarter TO
II o'clock the President entered the
east room. accompanied by MRS. FRED
erick Seward. followed by Mrs Lin
coin. leaning upon the arm of Gen.
Grant. and as they promenaded around
the room all eyes were directed to-
ward them
Wednesday. March g. 1864. Gen.
Grants commission was delivered to
him by President Lin
commission coin at the White
House. The Star of that
Presented. day thus describes the
ceremony:
This interesting ceremony took place
in the cabinet chamber, in the presence
of the whole cabinet. Cen Halleck.
Hon. Owen Lovejoy. Gen. Rawlins and
Col Comstock of Gen. Grants staff, the
son of Cen Grant and Mr.. Nicolay the
private secretary of the President.
When Gen. Grant entered the room the
President rose and said:
Gen. Grant: The nations appre-
citation of what you have done and its
reliance upon you for what remains to
do, in the existing great struggle are
now presented with this commission,
constituting you lieutenant general in
the army of the United States. With
this high honor devolves upon you also
corresponding responsibility. AS the
country herein trusts you. so. under
need to add that with what / here
speak for the nation goes my own
hearty personal concurrence.
ITO which Gen. Grant replied as fol-
lows:
Mr.. President: ] accept this com
mission with gratitude for the high
honor conferred. With the aid of the
noble armies that have fought on SO
manly fields for our common country,
disappoint your expectations. / feel
the full weight of the responsibilities
now devolving upon me. and know that
if they are met it will be due to those
armies, and above all to the favor of
that Providence which leads both ma
lions ard men,
LAT the conclusion of these brief
speeches the President introduced the
general to all the members of the cabi-
.eated and about half an hour was
spent in pleasant social conversation"
u