Grant Invite

[Linda Anderson]

Roger, I found a reference that says General Grant did accompany Mrs. Lincoln on the evening of April 13, 1865 to see the Grand Illumination. Mrs. Grant was not invited by Mrs. Lincoln. The quote is from Abraham Lincoln: A Life, by Michael Burlingame. Knox College, Unedited Manuscript, Vol 2, Chapter 36. The reference can also be found in The Inner World of Abraham Lincoln, also by Burlingame.

"The previous evening, Lincoln had been too sick with a headache to take a
carriage ride with his wife, who wished to see the brilliant illuminations celebrating Lee’s
surrender. Grant, at Lincoln’s request, had agreed to accompany her. As she and the
general entered their carriage, the crowd that had gathered outside the White House
shouted “Grant!” nine times. Taking offense, Mrs. Lincoln instructed the driver to let her
out, but she changed her mind when the crowd also cheered for the president. This
happened again and again as the carriage proceeded around town. The First Lady
evidently thought it inappropriate that Grant should be cheered before her husband was."

The footnote says, "In the fall of 1869, Grant gave this account to his cabinet. Hamilton Fish diary, entry for 12 November 1869, Fish Papers, Library of Congress."