Sunday, December 20, 2020

Lincoln's Trip-- Part 15: Return to Washington, D.C.

Gustavus Fox wrote:  "Our return back [to Washington] was smooth and pleasant and the President himself delighted."

It appears the Baltimore's return passage wasn't as speedy as the trip down.  City Point accounts have Lincoln departing late in the afternoon and Washington observers have him returning mid-to-late afternoon the next day, making the travel time roughly 22-24 hours.

Perhaps navigating on the Potomac after dark wasn't as safe as on the more open Chesapeake Bay on the way down, forcing the Baltimore to anchor for a couple hours near the river's mouth until it was light enough to proceed.

--Old B-Runner


No comments:

Post a Comment