with his whole army, had that day
surrendered to Grant at Appomattox. Lincoln's first visit, after
reaching the capital, was to the house of Secretary Seward, who had met
with a severe accident during his absence, and was a prisoner in a sick
room. Lincoln's heart was full of joy, and he entered immediately upon
an account of his visit to Richmond and the glorious successes of the
Union army; "throwing himself," as Mr. Carpenter says, "in his almost
boyish exultation, at full length across the bed, supporting his head
upon one hand, and in this manner reciting the story of the collapse of
the Rebellion. Concluding, he lifted himself up and said, 'And now for a
day of Thanksgiving!'"

In Washington, as in every city and town in the loyal States, there was
the wildest enthusiasm over the good news from the army. Flags were
flying everywhere, cannon were sounding, business was suspended, and the
people gave themselves up to the impulses of joy and thanksgiving.
Monday afternoon the workmen of the navy-yard marched to the White
House, joining the thousands already there, and with bands playing and a
tumult of rejoicing, called persistently for the President. After some
delay Lincoln appeared at the window above the main entrance, and was
greeted with loud and prolonged cheers and demonstrations of love and
respect. He declined to make a formal speech, saying to the excited
throng beneath:

I am very greatly rejoiced that an occasion has occurred so
pleasurable that the people can't restrain themselves. I suppose
that arrangements are being made for some sort of formal
demonstration, perhaps this evening or to-morrow night. If there
should be such a demonstration, I, of course, shall have to respond
to it, and I shall have nothing to say if I dribble it out before.
I see you have a band. I propose now closing up by requesting you
to play a certain air or tune. I have always thought "Dixie" one of
the best tunes I ever heard. I have heard that our adversaries over
the way have attempted to appropriate it as a national air. I
insisted yesterday that we had fairly captured it. I presented the
question to the Attorney-General, and he gave his opinion that it
is our lawful prize. I ask the band to give us a good turn upon it.

The band did give "a good turn" not only to "Dixie," but to the
whimsical tune of "Yankee Doodle," after which Lincoln proposed three
che