An Overland Route

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Grant's Virginia Campaign. Grant would cross the Rapidan River and march 100 miles to the outskirts of Richmond and Petersburg. After two years of stagnant fighting, it was uncertain if the frontline would shift. More importantly, it is an election year, and Lincoln needs to be reelected for the war to continue. This requires significant battlefield victories to encourage Northern voters to support the Republican Party. Voters can be unpredictable, often demanding quick victories with minimal casualties—a trend that remains true today. One person who was not anxious about the campaign was Ulysses Grant himself. Before embarking on this campaign, he wrote the following message to Julia:who was not anxious was Ulysses Grant himself. He wrote the following message to Julia before embarking on this campaign,

I know the greatest anxiety is now felt in the North for the success of this move, and that the anxiety will increase when it is once known that the Army is in motion. I feel well myself. Do not know that this is any criterion to judge results because I have never felt otherwise. I believe it has never been my misfortune to be placed where I lost my presence of mind, unless indeed it has been when thrown in strange company, particularly of ladies. Under such circumstances I know I must appear like a fool.

This message to Julia displays Grant’s strange character. He felt confident and hopeful in the face of the greatest rebel force, the Army of Northern Virginia. Grant’s calm demeanor permitted him to see opportunities where others did not and gave him quiet confidence that others did not seem to possess. It is strange to imagine having a greater fear of women than placing himself in front of cannons and bullets.