President presents commission as lieutenant general to General Ulysses S. Grant at 1 P.M. in cabinet chamber in presence of cabinet, Generals Halleck and John A. Rawlins, Congressman Lovejoy (Ill.), and John Nicolay. Washington Chronicle, 10 March 1864; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 9 March 1864, 3d ed., 2:6.

Reads brief remarks: "The nation's appreciation of what you have done, and it's 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." Grant replies: "I feel the full weight of the responsibilities now devolving on 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 Nations and men." Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs, 2 vols. (London: Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1886), 2:114-16; Speech to Ulysses S. Grant, [9 March 1864], CW, 7:234-35.

Following ceremony President hears half-hour discussion of military affairs and operations of Gen. Sherman. Welles, Diary.

In afternoon receives copy of Secretary Chase's letter withdrawing from presidential race. Memoranda, 9 March 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Telegraphs General Meade: "New York City votes 9,500 majority for allowing soldiers to vote, and the rest of the State nearly all on the same side. Tell the soldiers." Abraham Lincoln to George G. Meade, 9 March 1864, CW, 7:233.

Transmits to Senate report from secretary of interior respecting points of commencement of Union Pacific Railroad. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 9 March 1864, CW, 7:233-34.