This historic event, briefly covered in the diary, under
dates of May 23 and 24, 1865, had had no precedent in the past and is not
likely to have a parallel in future. It marked officially the close of the great
war, the restoration of peace, the preservation of the American Republic from
destruction, and the gratitude of the American people for a result perpetual
and inestimable in its value not only to them but to all mankind.
The troops participating in the Review numbered nearly Two
Hundred Thousand Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery, being the veteran soldiers of
(1) the Armies of the Potomac and James commanded by Generals Grant and Meade;
(2) the Army of the Shenandoah, commanded by General Sheridan, including
Sheridan's Cavalry Corps which in full ranks numbered 16,000 troopers; (3)
Sherman's Army, which he had led victoriously from the Ohio River, through
Kentucky, Tennessee and “through Georgia to the Sea,” and thence through the Carolinas
and Virginia to Washington. On the two successive days mentioned this combined
host marched the length of Pennsylvania Avenue, and in front of the White House
passed in review and saluted President Andrew Johnson and the distinguished
group of men mentioned in Major Tenney's diary including Gen. U. S. Grant, Gen.
W. T. Sherman, Generals Meade and Sheridan, Howard, Slocum, Logan, and Admirals
Farragut and Porter. With these were also the members of the Cabinet including
especially Secretary of War, E. M. Stanton and Secretary of the Navy, Gideon
Welles.
This event was the signal for the disbandment and return to
civil life of the nearly One Million volunteer soldiers and sailors then on the
rolls of the Army and Navy of the United States. This was accomplished
progressively and very rapidly, as fast as the troops could be paid off and
transported to their homes.
Much to the dissatisfaction of the Second Ohio Cavalry that
regiment was retained in service nearly six months after the close of hostilities,
being sent to southwestern Missouri to look after some disorderly elements
there, as mentioned under dates of May 27 to June 27, 1865, in the diary. — A.
B. N.
SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman
Harris Tenney, p. 164-5
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