Lincoln, the unknown

LINCOLN THE UNKNOWN • 199by General Ord. The arrangements were somewhat similarto those of the day before. We went up the river in asteamer, and then the men again took horses and Mrs.Lincoln and Mrs. Grant proceeded in an ambulance. I wasdetailed as before to act as escort, but I asked for a companionin the duty; for after my experience, I did notwish to be the only officer in the carriage. So ColonelHorace Porter was ordered to join the party. Mrs. Ordaccompanied her husband; as she was the wife of the commanderof an army she was not subject to the order forreturn; though before that day was over she wished herselfin Washington or anywhere else away from the army,I am sure. She was mounted, and as the ambulance wasfull, she remained on her horse and rode for a while bythe side of the President, and thus preceded Mrs. Lincoln.As soon as Mrs. Lincoln discovered this her rage wasbeyond all bounds. "What does the woman mean," sheexclaimed, "by riding by the side of the President? andahead of me? Does she suppose that he wants her by theside of him?"She was in a frenzy of excitement, and language and actionboth became more extravagant every moment.Mrs. Grant again endeavored to pacify her, but thenMrs. Lincoln got angry with Mrs. Grant; and all that Porterand I could do was to see that nothing worse thanwords occurred. We feared she might jump out of the vehicleand shout to the cavalcade.Once she said to Mrs. Grant in her transports: "I supposeyou think you'll get to the White House yourself,don't you?" Mrs. Grant was very calm and dignified, andmerely replied that she was quite satisfied with her presentposition; it was far greater than she had ever expectedto attain.But Mrs. Lincoln exclaimed; "Oh! you had bettertake it if you can get it. Tis very nice." Then she revertedto Mrs. Ord, while Mrs. Grant defended her friendat the risk of arousing greater vehemence.When there was a halt, Major Seward, a nephew of theSecretary of State, and an officer of General Ord's staff,rode up, and tried to say something jocular. "The President'shorse is very gallant, Mrs. Lincoln," he remarked;"he insists on riding by the side of Mrs. Ord."