The thanksgiving of the nation found its principal expression at
Charleston Harbor, where the flag of the Union received that day a
conspicuous reparation on the spot where it had first been outraged. At
noon General Robert Anderson raised over Fort Sumter the identical flag
lowered and saluted by him four years before; the surrender of Lee
giving a more transcendent importance to this ceremony, made stately
with orations, music, and military display.
In Washington it was a day of deep peace and thankfulness. Grant had
arrived that morning, and, going to the Executive Mansion, had met the
cabinet, Friday being their regular day for assembling. He expressed
some anxiety as to the news from Sherman which he was expecting hourly.
The President answered him in that singular vein of poetic mysticism
which, though constantly held in check by his strong common sense,
formed such a remarkable element in his character. He assured Grant that
the news would come soon and come favorably, for he had last night had
his usual dream which preceded great events. He seemed to be, he said,
in a singular and indescribable vessel, but always the same, moving with
great rapidity toward a dark and indefinite shore; he had had this dream
before Antietam, Murfreesboro, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg.
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