From Grant we got a
despatch that he would come up, with some ladies and gentlemen, to see our left
and to review a few troops. The General rode down to the terminus of the
railroad (which is not very far from Hatcher's Run), and soon after came the
train, with Grant and his party. Among them was our old friend Daddy Washburn,
the same who came to the Rapid Ann, last May, to behold Grant swallow Lee at a
mouthful, and — didn't see it! Two divisions of the 2d Corps were turned out
under the eye of the redoubtable Humphreys. They made a fine appearance,
marching past; but I could have cried to see the Massachusetts 20th with only a
hundred muskets or so, and commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis, whom I used
to see at Culpeper with a lieutenant's shoulder-straps. How changed from last
spring, when they passed in review with full ranks, and led by Abbot! . . .
That evening we
were invited to City Point, to see a medal given to General Grant. This medal
had been voted by Congress in honor of him and his soldiers, after the battle
and capture of Vicksburg. And you now see the rationale of the Hon. Washburn's
presence. He was to present it. The Corps commanders with a few aides,
and some division commanders, were all the General took with him in the special
train. We arrived about 8.30 P.M. and at 9 the ceremony began, in the upper
saloon of the steamer Martyn, lying at the wharf. The solemnities were these:
General Grant stood on one side of a small table, with an expression as if
about to courageously have a large tooth out. On the other stood Washburn, with
what seemed an ornamental cigar-box. Whereupon W., with few words, remarked
that the Congress of the United States of Amerikay had resolved to present him
a medal, and a copy of their resolutions engrossed on parchment. “General”
(unrolling a scroll), “this is the copy of the resolutions, and I now hand it
to you.” (Grant looked at the parchment, as much as to say, “That seems all
right,” rolled it up, in a practical manner, and put it on the table.) “This,
General” (opening the ornamental cigar-box, taking out a wooden bonbonnière and opening that), “is the
medal, which I also hand to you, together with an autograph letter from
President Lincoln.” The “all-right” expression repeated itself on Grant's face,
as he put down the bonbonnière
beside the scroll. Then he looked very fixedly at Mr. Washburn and slowly drew
a sheet of paper from his pocket. Everyone was hushed, and there then burst
forth the following florid eloquence: “Sir! I accept the medal. I shall take an
early opportunity of writing a proper reply to the President. I shall publish
an order, containing these resolutions, to the troops that were under my
command before Vicksburg.” As he stopped, Major Pell drew a long breath and
said: “I thought we were sure of a speech this time, but now we never
shall get one out of him.” The medal was of gold, three pounds in weight; on
one side a bad likeness of Grant; on the reverse a goddess, in an impossible
position, who, as General Meade remarked, “seemed to keep a general furnishing
shop of guns and sabres.” “What is the meaning of the allegory?” he enquired of
the Lieutenant-General. “I don't know,” replied Grant, with entire simplicity, “I
don't know, but I am going to learn, so as to be able to explain it to
people!” Then the distinguished militaries crowded round to gaze.
Major-General Ord, who can't get over his Irish blood, said: “I believe, sir,
you are the first man who medalled with his battalion.” To which Grant, not
taking the point in the faintest degree, replied gravely: “I don't know but I
was.” There was a heavy crowd of Hectors, I can tell you. Generals Meade,
Warren, Wright, Parke, Humphreys, Ord, Gibbon, Ayres, Griffin, Rawlins,
Ingalls, etc., etc. Very few ladies. After this a moderate collation, and so
home to bed.
SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s
Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness to
Appomattox, p. 318-20
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