After the Battle of Shiloh, which Grant nearly lost on the first day, Pennsylvania politician Alexander McClure visited the White House. Not always the most reliable witness, McClure later wrote:
“I appealed to Lincoln for his own sake to remove Grant at once, and, in giving my reasons for it, I simply voiced the admittedly overwhelming protest from the loyal people of the land against Grant’s continuance in command. I could form no judgment during the conversation as to what effect my arguments had upon him beyond the fact that he was greatly distressed at this new complication. When I had said everything that could be said from my standpoint, we lapsed into silence. Lincoln remained silent for what seemed a very long time. He then gathered himself up in his chair and said in a tone of earnestness that I shall never forget: ‘I can’t spare this man; he fights.'”
Grant was not elegant, flamboyant, nor genius......what he did was focus on a strategic goal and never fall off the path to getting there.
Sometimes determination is enough.
After the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5-6, President Lincoln awaited news from General Grant. A New York Tribune reporter brought a report and a personal message from General Grant: “He told me I was to tell you, Mr. President, that there would be no turning back.” President Lincoln was so frustrated by Union generals who had turned back that he kissed the Tribune reporter.
Focus on the goal.