width, and the entire state-room remodelled.  Nothing was said to the President about the change in his quarters when he went to bed; but next morning he came out smiling, and said:  ’A miracle happened last night; I shrank six inches in length and about a foot sideways.  I got somebody else’s big pillow, and slept in a better bed than I did on the “River Queen."’ He enjoyed it greatly; but I do think if I had given him two fence-rails to sleep on he would not have found fault.  That was Abraham Lincoln in all things relating to his own comfort.  He would never permit people to put themselves out for him under any circumstances.”

On the 2d of April the stronghold of Petersburg fell into the hands of the Union troops.  Lincoln, accompanied by Admiral Porter, visited the city.  They joined General Grant, and sat with him for nearly two hours upon the porch of a comfortable little house with a small yard in front.  Crowds of citizens soon gathered at the fence to gaze upon these remarkable men of whom they had heard so much.  The President’s heart was filled with joy, for he felt that this was “the beginning of the end.”  Admiral Porter says:  “Several regiments passed us en route, and they all seemed to recognize the President at once.  ’Three cheers for Uncle Abe!’ passed along among them, and the cheers were given with a vim which showed the estimation in which he was held by the soldiers.  That evening,” continues Admiral Porter, “the sailors and marines were sent out to guard and escort in some prisoners, who were placed on board a large transport lying in the stream.  There were about a thousand prisoners, more or less.  The President expressed a desire to go on shore.  I ordered the barge and went with him.  We had to pass the transport with the prisoners.  They all rushed to the side with eager curiosity.  All wanted to see the Northern President.  They were perfectly content.  Every man had a chunk of meat and a piece of bread in his hand, and was doing his best to dispose of it.  ‘That’s Old Abe,’ said one, in a low voice.  ‘Give the old fellow three cheers,’ said another; while a third called out, Hello, Abe, your bread and meat’s better than pop-corn!’ It was all good-natured, and not meant in unkindness.  I could see no difference between them and our own men, except that they were ragged and attenuated for want of wholesome food.  They were as happy a set of men as ever I saw.  They could see their homes looming up before them in the distance, and knew that the war was over.  ’They will never shoulder a musket again in anger,’ said the President, ’and if Grant is wise he will leave them their guns to shoot crows with.  It would do no harm.’”

The next day (April 3) the Union advance, under General Weitzel, reached and occupied Richmond.  Lee was in retreat, with Grant in close pursuit.  When the news of the downfall of the Confederate capital reached Lincoln on board the “Malvern,” he exclaimed fervently:  “Thank God that I have lived to see this!  It seems to me I have been dreaming a horrid dream for four years, and now the nightmare is gone. I want to see Richmond.”