Grant’s writing of his Personal Memoirs (in 1885) represented much more than an opportunity for him to tell the story of his own life; it provided an extraordinary chance for him to reflect on his working relationship with Abraham Lincoln. Grant’s collaboration with Lincoln during the Civil War created one of the most significant relationships in American History. Through Grant’s memoirs, we learn of the trust and respect they had for each other as well as their pragmatic approach to working together.

Lincoln’s Steadfast Support

Grant recalled with clarity:

“I never had any reason to doubt that I was supported fully by the President. He always stood by me.”

The above statement is quite telling; Lincoln had been exasperated by his Generals’ hesitation, delays, and blame-shifting about Lincoln’s interference with their decisions for many years. Lincoln gave Grant a great deal of autonomy to operate as he pleased and Grant reciprocated with respect for Lincoln’s trust in him, they established a working relationship based upon mutual confidence and Lincoln would not interfere with Grant’s coordination which resulted in an unprecedented level of coordination.

A President Who Wanted Action

Grant also remembered Lincoln’s straightforward expectations:

“All he wanted, or ever asked, was that something should be done and done quickly.”

Lincoln’s desire for urgency reflected his frustration with the slow pace of the war. Grant’s aggressive spirit matched Lincoln’s need for momentum. Unlike McClellan, who seemed paralyzed by caution, Grant pressed forward—even when setbacks came. Lincoln admired this decisiveness, and Grant respected Lincoln’s clarity of purpose.

Wisdom and Kindness

Beyond strategy, Grant admired Lincoln’s character:

“The President was a man of great wisdom and moderation. He never interfered with me in any way… He was a man of great kindness and honesty.”

This reflection reveals the personal dimension of their relationship. Grant saw Lincoln not only as a commander-in-chief but as a man of integrity, balancing political pressures with humanity. In Grant’s eyes, Lincoln’s patience and fairness were as vital to Union victory as any battlefield maneuver.

A Partnership That Preserved the Union

Together, Lincoln and Grant embodied the qualities the nation needed in its darkest hour: trust, pragmatism, and resilience. Lincoln trusted Grant to fight, and Grant trusted Lincoln to support him. Their partnership was not about daily consultation but about shared vision. It was this bond that carried the Union through to Appomattox and ensured the survival of the republic.

Legacy in Grant’s Words

Grant’s memoirs remain one of the most respected firsthand accounts of the Civil War. His reflections on Lincoln are plainspoken yet profound, capturing the essence of a leader who stood by his generals and demanded only that they act. In the end, Grant’s respect for Lincoln shines through in every line, reminding us that the preservation of the Union was not the work of one man alone, but of a partnership grounded in trust and shared resolve.