mentor in writing that he did not “ask or
feel that I deserve anything more in the
shape in honors or promotion.” However,
he did not reject the promotion out of
hand. He hoped that he could remain in
the West while Maj. Gen. William T. Sher-
man, a trusted subordinate and adviser of
Grant’s since early 1862, might take charge
of the Army of the Potomac in the Eastern
Theater.
Rumors of Grant’s elevation prompted
some opponents of the Lincoln adminis-
tration to suggest that Grant should
become a candidate for president in the
upcoming national election. The pro-
Democrat New York Heraldproclaimed,
“The next president must be a military
man.” The Herald’s editor, James G. Ben-
nett, who hated Lincoln, pushed the idea
of Grant running on the Democratic ticket
in November. Bennett pronounced the gen-
eral “the people’s candidate” and praised
Grant as “the man who knows how to tan
leather, politicians, and the hides of rebels.”
Although Grant was in agreement with
most Republican policies, he kept his polit-
ical inclinations to himself, thus prompting
both parties to court him. When the idea of
his running for the highest office in the land
first arose after the fall of Vicksburg, Grant
told Ohio Democratic Congressman Barn-
abas Burns that the idea “astonished him.
Nothing likely to happen would pain me
so much as to see my name used in con-
nection with a political office.” In a follow-
up letter to former Illinois congressman
Isaac N. Morris, Grant added, “In your let-
ter you say I have it in my power to be the
next president! This is last thing in the
world I desire. I would regard such a con-
summation as being highly unfortunate for
myself if not for the country.” To his father,
Jessie R. Grant, the general vented his frus-
trations at the political types who were
pressuring him to run for office. “All I want
is to be left alone to fight this war out,” he
declared, “fight all rebel opposition, and
restore a happy Union in the shortest pos-
sible time.”
Talk of Grant’s presidential candidacy
inevitably harmed his chances of obtaining
a third star on his shoulder straps. FormerGrant military aides in Washington, along
with friendly political operatives, worked
to quash the stories of a possible Grant run
for the presidency. Washburne warned
Grant of the perils: “As things stand now,you could get the nomination of the
Democracy [Democratic Party],” he said,
“but could not be elected against Lincoln.”
As the bill for Grant’s promotion to lieu-
tenant general progressed through Con-
gress, Lincoln slowly but surely came
around to supporting the idea. As a last
measure of reassurance, Secretary of War
Stanton dispatched Maj. Gen. David
Hunter to Chattanooga to check out
Grant’s political soundness. Hunter’s favor-
able report to the administration led Lin-
coln to back the lieutenant general bill. His
decision was made easier by Hunter’s
assurance that Lincoln had the unfailing
support of the man he intended to name
commander of all Union land forces.
On March 3, Grant telegraphed Sher-
man, “The bill reviving the grade of Lieu-
tenant General in the Army became a law
and my name has been sent to the Senate
for the place.” Congress had passed the bill
on February 29. Lincoln then submitted
Grant’s name to the U.S. Senate for confir-
mation as his choice to fill the position.
Grant went on to inform his friend that
Grant had been ordered to report to Wash-
ington, and that he would be travelling to
the nation’s capital the next morning. He
added, “I shall say very distinctly on my
arrival there that I will accept no appoint-
ment which will require me to make that
city my headquarters.”
Sherman extended congratulations on
Grant’s promotion and offered some advice
to his commander. He said that even
though Grant now had “become George
Washington’s legitimate successor, and
occupy a position of almost dangerous ele-
vation,” Grant must still “be yourself—
simple, honest and unpretending.” Sher-
man urged his chief to stick to his aim of
steering clear of politics and let others deal
with the War Department and Congress.
He implored Grant, “For God’s sake and
for your country’s sake, come out of Wash-
ington! Come out West,” reasoning that
the war would be won in that theater, not
in the East.
Grant’s train ride to Washington from
Nashville proved to be anything but the
low-key event the general had hoped. AtABOVE: Grant, right, with his trusted staff officer,
Brig. Gen. John A. Rawlins. BELOW: Grant’s close
friend and confidant, Maj. Gen. William T. Sher-
man, urged him to “be yourself—simple, honest
and unpretending.”CWQ-EW16 Grant Takes DC_Layout 1 10/22/15 1:07 PM Page 14