Washington was full of strangers, who filled the streets in holiday-dress, and every house was decorated with flags.
The army marched by divisions in close column around the Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue, past the President and cabinet, who occupied a large stand prepared for the occasion, directly in front of the White House.
I had telegraphed to Lancaster for Mrs.Sherman, who arrived that day, accompanied by her father, the Hon.

Thomas Ewing, and my son Tom, then eight years old.
During the afternoon and night of the 23d, the Fifteenth, Seventeenth, and Twentieth Corps, crossed Long Bridge, bivouacked in the streets about the Capitol, and the Fourteenth Corps closed up to the bridge.

The morning of the 24th was extremely beautiful, and the ground was in splendid order for our review.

The streets were filled with people to see the pageant, armed with bouquets of flowers for their favorite regiments or heroes, and every thing was propitious.

Punctually at 9 A.M.the signal-gun was fired, when in person, attended by General Howard and all my staff, I rode slowly down Pennsylvania Avenue, the crowds of men, women, and children, densely lining the sidewalks, and almost obstructing the way.