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The day after our wedding, we set out on our bridal tour, stopping first at Philadelphia and then at Washington, where we were invited to the White House. "The Washington Star" gives the following account of it:

"Last evening, at eight o'clock the little couple visited, by invitation, at the White House, and were introduced to the President, Mrs. Lincoln, Secretaries Chase, Stanton, Welles, Blair, and Usher, and Senator Wilson, Generals Butler and Clay, Hon. J. J. Crittendon, and many other gentlemen of distinction, nearly all of whom were accompanied by their families. The President, in the course of the evening, remarked to General Thumb that he had thrown him completely in the shade; that he, the General, was now the great center of attraction. Refreshments were served to the guests of the President and Mrs. Lincoln, which the little folks appeared to relish as much as any person present. At half past nine they left the White House and repaired to Willard's, where they received the members of the Press and a few select friends."

Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln received us cordially. When Mr. Lincoln stooped his towering form to greet us, there was a peculiarly quizzical expression in his eye, which almost made me laugh outright. Knowing his predilection for story telling, I imagined he was about to utter something of a humorous nature; but he only said, with a genial smile, "Mrs. Stratton, I wish you much happiness in your union." After receiving the congratulations of all present, the President took our hands and led us to the sofa, lifting the General up and placing him at his left hand, while Mrs. Lincoln did the same service for me, placing me at her right. We were thus seated between them.

"Tad," the favorite son, stood beside his mother and gazed at me for a few moments, then, looking at his father, said half audibly. "Mother, isn't it funny that father is so tall, and Mr. and Mrs. Stratton are so little?" The President, overhearing the remark, replied, "My boy, it is because Dame Nature sometimes delights in doing funny things. You need not seek for any other reason; for here you have the short and the long of it," pointing to the General and himself. This created quite a laugh. A few minutes afterward "Tad" again whispered to his mother, "Mother, if you were a little woman like Mrs. Stratton, you would look just like her."

"Mr. Stanton," said the President, "is General Tom Thumb's name upon our army list?" -- " No," said Mr. Stanton, then, turning to the General he inquired. "Where did you receive your title?" "From Queen Victoria."' replied the General (this is a fact not generally known). " Why, how was that?" asked Mr. Lincoln." When I appeared before the Queen at Buckingham Palace," said the General, "there were present besides the Queen, Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal" (since Empress of Germany; they were children then), "the Queen Dowager, the Duke of Wellington, and a number of nobility. Mr. Barnum had introduced me as Tom Thumb. The Duke of Wellington remarked to one of the nobility, 'Their Royal Highnesses are head and shoulders taller than Tom Thumb,' Her Majesty heard it, and turning to the old Duke said, 'General Tom Thumb.' The Duke bowed, and with a military salute to me, repeated, 'General Tom Thumb.' and everybody bowed. After that I was always called by the title, and English soldiers always present arms as I pass."

"You have never been called upon to do active duty in the field?" said Mr. Stanton.

"Oh," quickly responded the President, "his duty now will always be required in the matrimonial field. He will serve with the home guard."

The next morning we received from the President a pass allowing us to cross the "Long Bridge," and a permit to visit the Army Camp on Arlington Heights. About one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers were concentrated there. Regiments were arriving and departing almost hourly. My brother Benjamin's regiment, the Fortieth Massachusetts, had fortunately arrived from the front the evening before, so we had a happy meeting with him; he was granted a furlough for a few days that he might accompany us north. As we rode through the vast camp, we were greeted with cheers, throwing up of caps, and shouts from all sides, such as, "General, I saw you last down in Maine!" -- " I saw you in Boston!" -- "I saw you in Pennsylvania!" -- "I saw you in old New York!" -- "Three cheers for General Tom Thumb and his little wife!" etc. It seemed a joy to them to see a face which recalled to their minds memories of happy days at home. It was a grand but a sad sight to me. I reflected how many of those brave fellows would perhaps never again see home, wives, or children, but their bodies now so full of life be lying inanimate on the battle field.

After a brief visit home. we returned to New York, making our headquarters at the St. Nicholas hotel. It was the great hotel of those days, but would seem strangely behind the times to the present day traveler. Dinners and receptions galore were tendered us. With the latter I got on very well, for I was accustomed to standing by the hour, but the full dress and many course dinners taxed my patience even more than my digestion; and as it was at that time the fashion to eat with gloves on, I found it rather inconvenient, particularly as no gloves that fitted me could be bought but had to be ordered, and wondered sometimes whether the sky would fall if the dealer failed to fill my order on time and I should find myself without any that were clean enough to wear.