April, 1865.  During this period there were fought some of the bloodiest battles of the world.  On April 9, 1865, General Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox, Va., to General Grant, who then displayed the greatest magnanimity to the Confederates, and won for himself from his late enemies their warmest gratitude.  His magnanimity will always be remembered by the Confederate soldiers, and will stand in history as long as nobility of character shall be appreciated by mankind.  On the closing of the war directed his attention to mustering out of service the great army under his command and the disposal of the enormous quantity of stores of the Government.  In the discharge of his duties visited different sections of the country and was received everywhere with enthusiasm.  The citizens of Philadelphia presented him with a handsome residence in that city; his old neighbors in Galena gave him a pretty home in their town; the people of New York presented to him a check for $105,000.  In November and December, 1865, traveled through the Southern States, and made a report to the President upon the conditions there.  In May, 1866, submitted a plan to the Government for the reorganization of the Regular Army of the United States, which became the basis of its reorganization.  July 25 Congress passed an act creating the grade of general of the armies of the United States, and on the same day he was appointed to this rank.  August 12, 1867, was appointed by President Johnson Secretary of War ad interim, which position he held until January 14, 1868.  At the national convention of the Republican party which met in Chicago on May 20, 1868, was unanimously nominated for President on the first call of States.  His letter of acceptance of that nomination was brief, and contained the famous sentence, “Let us have peace.”  At the election in November was chosen to be President, receiving 214 electoral votes, while Horatio Seymour received 80.  Was renominated by his party in national convention in Philadelphia June 6, 1872, and at the election in November received 286 electoral votes, against 66 which would have been cast for Horace Greeley if he had lived.  Retired from office March 4, 1877.  After his retirement made a journey into foreign countries, and was received with great distinction and pomp by all the governments and peoples he visited.  An earnest effort was made to nominate him for a third term, but it failed.  By special act of Congress passed March 3, 1885, was placed as general on the retired list of the Army.  He died July 23, 1885, at Mount McGregor, N.Y., and was buried at Riverside Park, New York City, on the Hudson River.

FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

Citizens of the United States: 

Your suffrages having elected me to the office of President of the United States, I have, in conformity to the Constitution of our country, taken the oath of office prescribed therein.  I have taken this oath without mental reservation and with the determination to do to the best of my ability all that is required of me.  The responsibilities of the position I feel, but accept them without fear.  The office has come to me unsought; I commence its duties untrammeled.  I bring to it a conscious desire and determination to fill it to the best of my ability to the satisfaction of the people.