Owen Wister, Ulysses S. Grant

[102] received two great inheritances, and with them succeeded. His inheritances were to have his own way unhampered and the control of a perfect instrument, the army of the Potomac under General Meade. Grant's detractors lay too much stress on the first inheritance. He had his own way, not only because Lincoln had at length learned how disastrous meddling was, but also because Lincoln felt in his marrow that here was a man who would go on and do the thing. He had met no such man till now. He had been looking for one ceaselessly. Upon the Army of the Potomac and General Meade too much stress cannot be laid. Without that engine and pilot the captain would have wrecked his vessel several times. During forty-eight hours around Spottsylvania he essayed direction of the tactics himself, and wrought such havoc that thereafter he allowed the pilot Meade full charge of this.

We may feel sure that Grant underrated