Lincoln Lincoln finds his General

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During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was directly involved in the movements and overall strategies of the Union armies, issuing a constant stream of directions to his commanders from his office in the nation's capital. Much of his advice went unheeded by a succession of inept and cowardly military leaders. This was an unrelenting source of frustration for Lincoln.
However, in July of 1863, the northern war effort took an improved turn and, in the western theater, Ulysses S. Grant was making remarkable progress. And, to the delight of Lincoln, he was doing so without any prodding, pushing or nagging.
In a letter written that month to Grant, Lincoln made a stunning admission. He acknowledged that he had doubted Grant's strategy during the Vicksburg Campaign:
"I do not remember that you and I ever met personally. I write this now as a grateful acknowledgment for the almost inestimable service you have done the country. I feared it was a mistake – I now wish to make the personal acknowledgement that you were right, and I was wrong. Yours very truly, Abraham Lincoln."
How do you think it made Grant feel to receive this letter from President Lincoln?
Image: Library of Congress, Lincoln and Grant meeting outside of the Wallace House in Petersburg, VA, 1865.
posted on Ford's Theatre National Historic Site Facebook page, July 27

 

[Mango Hill]

I'm sure it made Grant's day. As for Lincoln, he should have taken this admission to heart and stayed out of playing militarist strategist.

 

[jackt62]

That was probably the highest compliment that Lincoln could have paid Grant. Grant being a humble person, was not prone to boast or strut around with glee after receiving such kudos.