On Sunday, April 9, the President returned to Washington; and there he heard the thrilling news that Lee, with his whole army, had that day surrendered to Grant at Appomattox.  Lincoln’s first visit, after reaching the capital, was to the house of Secretary Seward, who had met with a severe accident during his absence, and was a prisoner in a sick room.  Lincoln’s heart was full of joy, and he entered immediately upon an account of his visit to Richmond and the glorious successes of the Union army; “throwing himself,” as Mr. Carpenter says, “in his almost boyish exultation, at full length across the bed, supporting his head upon one hand, and in this manner reciting the story of the collapse of the Rebellion.  Concluding, he lifted himself up and said, ’And now for a day of Thanksgiving!’”

In Washington, as in every city and town in the loyal States, there was the wildest enthusiasm over the good news from the army.  Flags were flying everywhere, cannon were sounding, business was suspended, and the people gave themselves up to the impulses of joy and thanksgiving.  Monday afternoon the workmen of the navy-yard marched to the White House, joining the thousands already there, and with bands playing and a tumult of rejoicing, called persistently for the President.  After some delay Lincoln appeared at the window above the main entrance, and was greeted with loud and prolonged cheers and demonstrations of love and respect.  He declined to make a formal speech, saying to the excited throng beneath: 

I am very greatly rejoiced that an occasion has occurred so pleasurable that the people can’t restrain themselves.  I suppose that arrangements are being made for some sort of formal demonstration, perhaps this evening or to-morrow night.  If there should be such a demonstration, I, of course, shall have to respond to it, and I shall have nothing to say if I dribble it out before.  I see you have a band.  I propose now closing up by requesting you to play a certain air or tune.  I have always thought “Dixie” one of the best tunes I ever heard.  I have heard that our adversaries over the way have attempted to appropriate it as a national air.  I insisted yesterday that we had fairly captured it.  I presented the question to the Attorney-General, and he gave his opinion that it is our lawful prize.  I ask the band to give us a good turn upon it.

The band did give “a good turn” not only to “Dixie,” but to the whimsical tune of “Yankee Doodle,” after which Lincoln proposed three cheers for General Grant and all under his command; and then “three more cheers for our gallant navy,” at the close of which he bowed and retired amid the inspiring strains of “Hail Columbia” discoursed with vigor by the patriotic musicians.