The Inaugural Procession at Washington Passing the Gate of the Capitol Grounds

Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4, 1861. The procession, set to begin at 9 a.m., did not get underway until later because, as noted in the Harper’s article, President Buchanan was “still in his chamber at the Capitol signing bills. It was not till ten minutes past twelve that he left the Capitol. . . . [He] proceeded to Willard’s [Hotel where Lincoln was staying]. There the President-elect, and Senators Pearce and Baker of the Committee of Arrangements, entered the carriage, and a few minutes before one the procession began to move.” Here Homer depicted the carriage as it made its way to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremonies.