In recognition of Veterans Day 2026, a little Lew Wallace military insight
In his Autobiography, Lew Wallace wrote about his commanding officer Ulysses Grant. In one story he wrote about the manner in which Grant responded to inquiries at a time when the General was under great public scrutiny. Several of the spring campaigns had been less than great Union victories for Grant in early 1864, but finally Atlanta fell in the summer and General Sherman was gaining great attention as he marched to the sea. By mid-summer, Grant was well into his long sieges of Richmond and Petersburg; commanding them from his headquarters at City Point. As Wallace related this incident, the clarity of Grant’s larger plans for the execution of the war were revealed as was his deft handling of people who had concerns about his leadership.
At City Point, in 1864, I was General Grant’s guest, by special invitation, and witnessed a scene of rare interest. It was announced at supper that the general would receive a delegation of citizens from Philadelphia, coming with an unknown purpose. “We must be there,” said Bowers, the assistant adjutant-general; “and you must watch Grant when it comes time for him to reply. You see, if he’s a little stumped, and wants a moment to think, he always gets it by striking matches, pretending he can’t get one to burn. Sometimes he’ll spoil a bowlful; but when he has his idea clear, the trouble is over. The match goes off all right, and, his cigar lit, he turns and speaks.” The meeting took place in the little box the general called his office. We were all there; so was the delegation. The spokesman took the floor and delivered a speech the substance of which may be given. “General Grant, we represent the business men of Philadelphia, and have been charged to tell you frankly that the country is suffering, and that you must do something decisive immediately. In the South, and along the Mississippi, operations are going on by land and water, and everybody is active. Sherman is absorbing all the attention. He is thundering away in the heart of the rebellion. You alone are doing nothing. We have come to implore you to wake up.” Grant, at the end, turned to the mantel above the fireplace, on which there was a bowlful of matches and a box of cigars. Taking a fresh cigar, he struck match after match without avail; it looked as if the supply would all go. Minutes passed; at last he struck fire. Then Bowers nudged me, and whispered: “Listen—he’s ready.” I give the reply substantially. “Gentlemen,” the general said, “I am glad to hear from you that the country has not lost its interest in the war. You urge me to move, and have been at pains to come and tell me that Sherman will shortly shut me out of public attention if I don’t hurry and head him off. Well”—he stopped and whiffed a moment—“I will take you into my confidence, provided you do not take the newspapers into your confidence. Sherman is acting by order, and I am waiting on him. Just as soon as I hear that he is at some of the points designated on the sea-coast, then, the Mississippi River being secured for our boats, I will take Richmond. Were I to move now without advices from Sherman, Lee would evacuate Richmond, taking his army somewhere South, and I would have to follow him to keep him from jumping on Sherman. That would be very inconvenient to me, as it would compel me to haul supplies in wagons over unknown dirt roads to an unknown distance. I hope, gentlemen, you will report to your constituents how much obliged I am to General Lee for staying where he is; and be careful, please, to tell them that jealousy between General Sherman and me is impossible. Please smoke with me.”
