Grant and Lincoln's invitation

[RJNorton]

I am curious about what the Grants said when they first checked into the Willard Hotel. Would it be common practice to disclose how many nights they were intending to stay at check-in? Did they originally tell the hotel they were staying the night of the 14th?

Although many books say both Mr. and Mrs. Grant stayed late at the Stantons' reception Linda Anderson discovered this is wrong. Ulysses left the Stantons' reception early to see the Grand Illumination with Mary Lincoln.

Quoting Linda's post:

"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."