President assigns Lt. Gen. Grant to command Armies of United States. Order Assigning Ulysses S. Grant to Command of the Armies of the U.S., [10] March 1864, CW, 7:236.

President and Vice President are provided free postage in bill passed by Senate. Washington Chronicle, 11 March 1864.

Lincoln interviews James M. Scovel of Philadelphia on political affairs. Scovel to Lincoln, 9 March 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

With Mrs. Lincoln visits Grover's Theatre for performance of Richard III, last night in series of Shakespearean dramas featuring Edwin Booth. Grant has reservation but does not attend. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 11 March 1864, 2:1; Washington Chronicle, 11 March 1864.

On behalf of "Mrs. L.," President Lincoln invites Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and General George Meade "to dine with us Saturday evening." Lincoln asks Grant to "notify [Meade] . . . and answer whether you can be with us at that time." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 10 March 1864, CW, 7:235.

Instructs Gen. Ramsay, if Absterdam projectile is offered at Hotchkiss prices, take it. "I am for the government having the best articles, in spite of patent controversies." Abraham Lincoln to George D. Ramsay, 10 March 1864, CW, 7:236-37.