ABSTRACT
This chapter sheds new light on the development of the Lincoln-Grant relationship. The popular story is that Lincoln had his eye on Grant starting from the Fort Donelson Campaign and was impressed enough by his performance to protect Grant's career from jealous colleagues. The truth is that Lincoln gave substantial credence to many of the negative stories circulating about Grant, and until the conclusion of the Vicksburg Campaign was always wary of giving him too much responsibility. It was not until the two men met in 1864, that Lincoln was able to place his full faith in Grant's capacity as commanding general. Among the many myths exploded in this essay is that Lincoln once said of Grant: “I can't spare this man, he fights.” Nor did Lincoln ever say anything about wishing he knew what whiskey Grant drank so he could send a barrel of it to his other generals. Lincoln eventually found his general, but as this essay makes clear, there was a lot of distrust to overcome first. Still, once their bond was formed the Lincoln-Grant connection may have been one of the most effective civil-military teams ever formed.
