William A. Crafts, Life of Ulysses S. Grant: His Boyhood, Campaigns, and Services, Military and Civil.

“ [43] hope that, should an opportunity occur, you will earn for yourself that promotion which you are kind enough to say belongs to me. I care nothing for promotion so long as our arms are successful, and no political appointments are made.” The last words refer to the appointment of high officers from civil life, for political considerations alone, and not for military capacity, an instance of which Grant had already experienced. The friendship, which commenced with this correspondence, between these two distinguished officers is well known to the country. It has been of the most cordial character, free from all jealousy on the part of each, generous, self-sacrificing, and altogether worthy of these two.greatest commanders of the war.

The two men possess the most opposite qualities in many respects, Sherman being nervous, impulsive, and excitable, while Grant is cool, firm, and imperturbable. Professor Mahan, a tutor at West Point while both were there, compares Grant to a powerful low-pressure engine, which condenses its own steam and consumes its own smoke, and which pushes steadily forward and drives all obstacles before it; and likens Sherman to a high-pressure engine, which lets off both steam and smoke with a puff and a cloud, and dashes at its work with resistless vigor.

After the victory at Fort Donelson, General Halleck, who, if he did not entertain a positive dislike for Grant, was not disposed to give him the credit he deserved, and was inclined to find fault with him, censured him for going to Nashville,--which Grant did for the sake of better understanding the position of affairs,--and complained that he did not make reports. This censure