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

[91] He had felt no petty jealousies, and he had inspired none in others, and at this time was the one who, of all others, could be promoted to the highest command without causing heart-burnings and insubordination, which would have been dangerous to the efficiency of the army.

The man for the place having thus unmistakably appeared, a measure which had been for some time under consideration in Congress was adopted. The grade of Lieutenant General, which had been first created for Washington, and was conferred by brevet on Scott alone, was revived with great unanimity, and the President was authorized to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among those officers most distinguished for courage, skill, and ability, a commander, “who, being commissioned as lieutenant general, shall be authorized, under the direction of the President, to command the armies of the United States.” President Lincoln approved the bill on the 1st of March, 1864, and on the same day nominated Major General Ulysses S. Grant as Lieutenant General. The Senate promptly confirmed the nomination, and thus Grant was promoted to the highest military rank then recognized by law, and to the command of all the armies engaged in crushing the gigantic rebellion.

Such honor had been fully bestowed upon but one man before, and that one Washington; such power and responsibilities had been intrusted to no one. But honors and responsibilities came to Grant unsought, and were accepted with becoming modesty and with hopeful self-reliance, his only aim being to do his duty and serve his country. His position at this time is best