uld express, giving it the most flattering
construction."

Grant's modesty, generosity, and magnanimity shine in this
acknowledgment. If there were no other record illustrating these
qualities, this alone would be an irrefragable testimony to his
possession of them. There can be no appeal from its transparent, cordial
sincerity.

Sherman's reply is too long to be quoted fully, but the parts of it that
reveal his estimate of Grant's qualities and his confidence in him are
important with reference to the purpose of this sketch:--

"You do yourself injustice and us too much honor in assigning to us too
large a share of the merits which have led to your high advancement....
You are now Washington's legitimate successor, and occupy a position of
almost dangerous elevation; but if you can continue, as heretofore, to
be yourself, simple, honest, and unpretending, you will enjoy through
life the respect and love of friends, and the homage of millions of
human beings that will award you a large share in securing to them and
their descendants a government of law and stability.... I believe you
are as brave, patriotic, and just as the great prototype, Washington, as
unselfish, kind-hearted, and honest as a man should be; but the chief
characteristic is the simple faith in success you have always
manifested, which I can liken to nothing else than the faith the
Christian has in his Saviour. This faith gave you victory at Shiloh and
Vicksburg. Also, when you have completed your preparations, you go into
battle without hesitation, as at Chattanooga,--no doubts, no
answers,--and I tell you it was this that made us act with confidence. I
knew, wherever I was, that you thought of me; and if I got in a tight
place you would help me out if alive."

He besought Grant not to stay in Washington, but to come back to the
Mississippi Valley, "the seat of coming empire, and from the West where
[when?] our task is done, we will make short work of Charleston and
Richmond and the impoverished coast of the Atlantic." But Grant was
wiser. He felt that the duty to which his new commission called him was
to try conclusions with General Lee, the most illustrious and successful
of the Confederate commanders, whom he had not yet encountered and
vanquished. His new rank gave him an authority and prestige which would
enable him, he trusted, to overcome the discouragements and discontents
of the noble Army of the Potomac, and wield its unified force with