Grant and Lincoln's invitation

[loetar44]

Thanks to all for your remarks and suggestions. I want to add the following.

Eva your suggesting about the total seating capacity of the theatre holds water. I also read that it was 1,700.

From George J. Olszewski, “Restoration of Ford’s Theatre” page 102/103: “For seating, approximately 1 ,074 individual cane-bottomed chairs will be required: 602 in the orchestra and parquet; 422 in the dress circle, and from 48 to 80 for the eight boxes which accommodated from six (6) to ten (10) persons each. High-backed benches were used in the family circle to seat approximately 676 persons. Thus this total figure of 1,700 for the theatre's seating capacity, aside from the boxes, is based on the statement of John T. Ford published in the Washington Post of June 11, 1893, and the unpublished doctoral dissertation of John Ford Sollers referred to in the main body of this report. This figure of 1,700 appears to be more realistic than contemporary newspaper accounts of 1865 which stated the seating capacity to be between 2,000 and 3,000 persons."

In another account (can’t remember where) I once read: 600 seats in the the orchestra and parquet, 420 seats in the Dress Circle and 600 to 700 (on benches) in the Family Circle. Thus aside from the 4 boxes there were 1,620 to 1,720 seats in the theatre and this is in accordance with the given seating capacity of the theatre as 1,700.

The theatre was certainly not sold out because the two lower boxes (1,2 and 3,4) and one upper box (5,6) was empty (out of respect of the President’s visit). You are right Roger! I agree with you that the Dress Circle had empty seats, because some changed seats to have a better look at the stage. Further I think that it is not exactly known how many tickets were sold for the Family Circle and probably this level was not sold out.

Still searching for more info concerning the exact structure of the Union high command in April 1865 and Grant’s exact position within this structure. STS Lincolnite thanks for your highly interesting overview. If I have something to add I will of course post this info.