The Friendship That Won The Civil War

When we examine the pages of history, filled with tales of valor and sacrifice, we often come across remarkable stories of friendship that not only shaped the course of events but also became the driving force behind great victories. One such extraordinary friendship is the bond between Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, which played a pivotal role in the Union's victory over the Confederacy during the American Civil War.

An Unexpected Union

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was a resilient leader with a vision to preserve the Union and abolish slavery. Ulysses S. Grant, a military general bestowed with exceptional strategic brilliance, proved to be the perfect ally in Lincoln's quest.

Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War

by Charles Bracelen Flood (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2090 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	484 pages

FREE

Their friendship began with a chance encounter in the fall of 1861 when Lincoln appointed Grant as a brigadier general. Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds, their shared determination and unwavering commitment to the Union formed an unbreakable bond that would shape the destiny of a nation.

The Trust and Confidence That Emerged

Lincoln recognized the exceptional military prowess of Grant early on and placed his trust in him. This trust, coupled with Lincoln's understanding of Grant's personal struggles and demons, gave way to unwavering support and belief in his abilities as a military leader.

Grant, in turn, respected Lincoln's vision and was inspired by his unwavering dedication to the values of the Union. With Lincoln's support and unwavering belief in Grant's capabilities, a friendship based on mutual respect and shared goals was born.

The Turning Point: Grant's Victories

Grant's brilliance on the battlefield soon became evident during key battles such as the Siege of Vicksburg and the Battle of Chattanooga. These victories bolstered the Union's morale and shifted the tide of the war.

Lincoln, recognizing Grant's military genius, appointed him as the commander of all Union armies in 1864. This decision marked a turning point in the war, as Grant relentlessly pursued the Confederacy, implementing groundbreaking military strategies that eventually led to the Union's triumph.

An Indomitable Friendship

Throughout the war, Lincoln and Grant maintained a constant line of communication, often engaging in lengthy discussions regarding strategies and the overall course of the conflict. Their relentless determination to achieve victory, combined with their friendship, created an unbreakable force against adversity.

Grant, humble and self-effacing, always acknowledged Lincoln as the genuine leader and guiding force. He valued Lincoln's opinions and expertise, relying on their friendship to guide him in making critical decisions that would eventually lead to overwhelming success.

The Enduring Legacy

The friendship between Lincoln and Grant not only helped secure victory for the Union but also laid the foundation for the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the United States as a unified nation.

Following the war, Lincoln's assassination in 1865 only served to deepen the impact of their friendship. Grant, fully aware of the loss, carried forward Lincoln's vision, ensuring the fruits of their friendship lived on through his tenure as President.

In

Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant exemplified the power of friendship in times of chaos and adversity. Together, they navigated the treacherous waters of war, inspiring each other with bravery and resilience, ultimately leading the Union to its long-awaited victory.

Their friendship remains a testament to the indomitable human spirit and serves as a reminder that even in the face of insurmountable odds, the bonds we forge can transcend time and shape the course of history.

Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War

by Charles Bracelen Flood (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2090 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	484 pages

FREE

"We were as brothers," William Tecumseh Sherman said, describing his relationship to Ulysses S. Grant. They were incontestably two of the most important figures in the Civil War, but until now there has been no book about their victorious partnership and the deep friendship that made it possible.

They were prewar failures--Grant, forced to resign from the Regular Army because of his drinking, and Sherman, who held four different jobs, including a beloved position at a military academy in the South, during the four years before the Confederates fired on Fort Sumter. But heeding the call to save the Union each struggled past political hurdles to join the war effort. And taking each other's measure at the Battle of Shiloh, ten months into the war, they began their unique collaboration. Often together under fire on the war's great battlefields, they smoked cigars as they gave orders and learned from their mistakes as well as from their shrewd decisions. They shared the demands of family life and the heartache of loss, including the tragic death of Shermans's favorite son. They supported each other in the face of mudslinging criticism by the press and politicians. Their growing mutual admiration and trust, which President Lincoln increasingly relied upon, would set the stage for the crucial final year of the war. While Grant battled with Lee in the campaigns that ended at Appomattox Court House, Sherman first marched through Georgia to Atlanta, and then continued with his epic March to the Sea. Not only did Grant and Sherman come to think alike, but, even though their headquarters at that time were hundreds of miles apart, they were in virtually daily communication strategizing the final moves of the war and planning how to win the peace that would follow.

Moving and elegantly written, Grant and Sherman is an historical page turner: a gripping portrait of two men, whose friendship, forged on the battlefield, would win the Civil War.