Saturday, March 25, 1865.City Point,
VA and Steamboat River Queen. | President arises early, does not look too well, eats very little. Robert
comes aboard during breakfast and reports fighting at front. Several officers,
including Rear Adm. Porter, assemble and walk with President to Gen. Grant's
headquarters. Lincoln expresses desire to visit scene of fighting. About noon
special train is made up, and large party proceeds over military railroad to
Gen. Meade's headquarters and sees evidence of fighting during visit.
Barnes, "With Lincoln,"
520-21; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 28 March 1865, 2d ed., 2:5. President mounts horse and rides over part of
battlefield where dead are being buried. Train returns slowly to City Point.
Cars with wounded attached. President weary and worn; declines invitation to
supper at Grant's headquarters and returns to River Queen. Barnes,
"With Lincoln," 521-22; Horace Porter,
Campaigning with Grant (New York: Century, 1897), 401-16. At 8:30 A.M. informs Sec. Stanton :
"Arrived here, all safe about 9 P.M. yesterday. No War News." Abraham
Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 25 March 1865,
CW, 8:373-74. At 1:25
P.M. telegraphs Stanton : "I am here within five
miles of the scene of this morning's action. I have nothing to add to what Gen.
Meade reports, except that I have seen the prisoners myself and they look like
there might be the number he states—1600." Abraham
Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 25 March 1865,
CW, 8:374. |