Grant and Lincoln's invitation

[Eva Elisabeth]

Kees, I've always read Grant's announced attendance was the #1 reason for many (most?) to get a ticket. I believe in "We Saw Lincoln Shot" several eyewitnesses stated something similar like Ferguson, or e.g. A. C. Richard: "In making our usual rounds of the area we were in the vicinity of Ford's Theatre. Captain Reeds suggested that as General Grant was supposed to be in the theatre to go in. We did so..."
BTW, I also believe I read in another book (maybe it was in "Backstage...") of at least one claim the theater was not sold out (I'll check/try to find this).
However, IMO Grant being the main attraction makes sense. Seeing Lincoln at the theater or elsewhere was not as unusual for Washingtonians as catching a glimpse of Gen. Grant. A. Lincoln's "face" and photo were sure more familiar than Gen. Grant's. Grant (not Lincoln) was the hero of the battlefield ("pitch") who turned the tide, or the "game" - and speaking in soccer terms, as much as the fans loved and appreciated the coach, don't you think seeing the libero who won the game on the pitch was the slightly greater thrill so shortly after Appomattox?