Richmond Whig, 4/5/1865 [Reprinted in New York Tribune, 4/8/1865, p. 12]
VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT LINCOLN
was the event of yesterday afternoon. The President, accompanied by Admiral Porter, of the United States Navy, with an escort of army and navy officers, were landed at Rockets yesterday about 3 p. m., from a gunboat, and were enthusiastically cheered by the populace and Federal soldiers all the way up Main street to the market, and up Franklin street to Governor street. The President was on foot, and walked rapidly, towering above the crowd, flanked on his right by Admiral Porter, on his left by his son Thaddeus.
The President was dressed in a long black overcoat, high silk hat, and black pants, giving to his form a very commanding appearance. The President and escort moved up Governor to Twelfth street, out Twelfth to Marshall street and the mansion of Jeff. Davis, late President of the Confederate States, and now the headquarters of Major General Godfrey Weitzel. The crowd surrounded the mansion, and sent up cheer after cheer as the President entered the doorway and seated himself in the reception room and reception chair of Jefferson Davis. Three cheers for Admiral Porter were then proposed and given with a hearty good will.
A brilliant collection of Union officers assembled in the hall were then presented to the President, and afterward the citizens general were allowed the opportunity of shaking the President of "our whole Union" by the hand. Subsequently the President and suite, with a cavalry escort of colored troops, appeared on the square, drawn in a carriage and four, which was driven around the walks, the President inspecting the condition of the troops and exhibiting an unwonted interest in everything.
Everywhere the reception was the same, the bands playing and the people besieging the grounds, each anxious for a closer inspection of the distinguished occupants of the carriage.
While these ceremonies were going on, a salute of guns was fired from the steamers at Rockets.
The President is still in Richmond, we believe, but we are not informed what are to be his future movements.
THE THEATER – GRAND REOPENING.
The Theater will be reopened to-night under the management of Mr. R. D'Orsay Ogden, who may now exclaim, "Richard is himself again." The play selected for the occasion is Don Caesar de Bazan. Mr. Ogden will personate Don Caesar, supported by the company recently performing at the Theater.
Invitations have been sent to President Lincoln, Gen. Grant, Gen. Weitzel, Gen. Shepley, and other officer of distinction. An efficient guard has been detailed by the Provost-Marshal to preserve order.