NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
March and April 1864
From The Missouri Democrat, Thursday, March 10, 1864.
THIRD DISPATCH.
WASHINGTON, March 9.—The arrival of General Grant proves a Godsend to the scribblers of the Jenkinsonian school. His appearance at the President’s levee, has promenade with Mrs. Lincoln, the particulars of her toilet, the affability and condescension of Chaperon Seward are all dwelt upon with a minuteness of detail, delightful to an unsophisticated mind. It is refreshing to know that he bears the order with becoming meekness, and has betaken himself with promptness to the business of his mission. To-day he had a prolonged interview with the Secretary of War, and General Halleck, at which the military situation of the country was canvassed and the general plan of a campaign harmonious and comprehensive was agreed upon. The necessity for a reorganization of the Army of the Potomac was admitted by all, and to-morrow Lieutenant General Grant proceeds to General Meade’s headquarters to personally inspect the causes of insufficiency, and to initiate reform.
It is understood that Lieutenant General Grant will take up his residence in Washington, but will remain on active duty somewhere in the field.
General Halleck will subside into the position of Adjutant to the President, through whom, as Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, all his orders will be transmitted to Lieutenant General Grant.
General Grant pronounces the stories of General Sherman having been defeated untrue. He says Sherman fulfilled his orders successfully, which were to break up the railroads leading to Mobile and used in supplying the rebel armies. He had no orders to proceed further, and from Richmond we have rebel admission that he left the country through which he passed destitute of provisions, mules, and horses. His expedition is pronounced here a great success.