The River Press

Lincoln's Strange Dream
Before His Death

At noon of the day on which Lincoln was shot a cabinet meeting was held, which the president attended, accompanied by General Grant. The meeting was thus described by one of the men who were present—Gideon Welles, secretary of the navy.

"Congratulations were interchanged and earnest inquiry was made whether any information had been received from General Sherman. General Grant, who was invited to remain, said he was expecting hourly to hear from Sherman and had a good deal of anxiety on the subject of the movements of his army.

"The president remarked that news would come soon, and come favorably, he had no doubt, for he had last night his usual dream which had preceded nearly every important event of the war. I inquired the particulars of this remarkable dream. He said it was in my department—it related to the water; that he seemed to be in a singular and indescribable vessel, but always the same, and that he was moving with great rapidity toward a dark and indefinite shore; that he had had this singular dream preceding the firing on Sumter, the battles of Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, Stone River, Vicksburg, Wilmington and many other important events of the war.

"General Grant remarked with some emphasis and asperity that Stone River was no victory, that a few such victories would have ruined the country, and he knew of no important results from it. The president said that perhaps he should not altogether agree with him, but whatever might be the facts his singular dream preceded that fight.

"Victory did not always follow his dream, but the event and results were important. He had no doubt that a battle had taken place or was being fought, 'and Johnston will be beaten, for I had this strange dream again last night. It must relate to Sherman; my thoughts are in that direction, and I know of no other very important event which is likely just now to occur.' "