When President Lincoln started from Springfield to Washington to assume the reins of Government in February, 1861, Gilpin was one of thirteen who made the entire journey in the President's private car. He was a brilliant man and Lincoln recognized his mental gifts and learned minutely from him of his varied experiences, especially of his knowledge of the far West. So it was natural that his name should come before the very first meeting of the cabinet for appointment to the high place of Governor of the territory of Colorado. The next month he was hurrying westward with his commission in his pocket and with his appointment as well of Brigadier-General of the Army.
"Long ago at the end of the route,
The stage pulled up and the folks stepped out;
They have all passed under the tavern door.
The youth and his bride and the gray three-score;
Their eyes are weary with dust and gleam
For the day has passed like an empty dream.
Soft may they slumber and trouble no more
For the weary journey, its jolt and its roar
In the old stage over the mountains."