The bill restoring the grade of lieutenant-general of the army had passed through Congress and became a law on the 26th of February.  My nomination had been sent to the Senate on the 1st of March and confirmed the next day (the 2d).  I was ordered to Washington on the 3d to receive my commission, and started the day following that.  The commission was handed to me on the 9th.  It was delivered to me at the Executive Mansion by President Lincoln in the presence of his Cabinet, my eldest son, those of my staff who were with me and and a few other visitors.

The President in presenting my commission read from a paper—­stating, however, as a preliminary, and prior to the delivery of it, that he had drawn that up on paper, knowing my disinclination to speak in public, and handed me a copy in advance so that I might prepare a few lines of reply.  The President said: 

“General Grant, the nation’s appreciation of what you have done, and its reliance upon you for what remains to be done in the existing great struggle, are now presented, with this commission constituting you lieutenant-general in the Army of the United States.  With this high honor, devolves upon you, also, a corresponding responsibility.  As the country herein trusts you, so, under God, it will sustain you.  I scarcely need to add, that, with what I here speak for the nation, goes my own hearty personal concurrence.”

To this I replied:  “Mr. President, I accept the commission, with gratitude for the high honor conferred.  With the aid of the noble armies that have fought in so many fields for our common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disappoint your expectations.  I feel the full weight of the responsibilities now devolving on me; and I know that if they are met, it will be due to those armies, and above all, to the favor of that Providence which leads both nations and men.”

On the 10th I visited the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac at Brandy Station; then returned to Washington, and pushed west at once to make my arrangements for turning over the commands there and giving general directions for the preparations to be made for the spring campaign.

It had been my intention before this to remain in the West, even if I was made lieutenant-general; but when I got to Washington and saw the situation it was plain that here was the point for the commanding general to be.  No one else could, probably, resist the pressure that would be brought to bear upon him to desist from his own plans and pursue others.  I determined, therefore, before I started back to have Sherman advanced to my late position, McPherson to Sherman’s in command of the department, and Logan to the command of McPherson’s corps.  These changes were all made on my recommendation and without hesitation.  My commission as lieutenant-general was given to me on the 9th of March, 1864.  On the following day, as already stated, I visited General