On December 14, 1863, Elihu B. Washburne introduced a bill in the House of Representatives reviving the grade of lieutenant general, a rank previously held only by George Washington and, by brevet (honorary) appointment, Winfield Scott. President Lincoln signed the bill on February 29 and nominated Grant for the position. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 2. As he prepared to leave for Washington, Grant acknowledged his debt to Sherman and to Major General James B. McPherson, who had served as Grant’s chief engineer at Fort Donelson and Shiloh and commanded a corps in the Army of the Tennessee during the Vicksburg campaign.
Nashville Tennessee,
March 4th 1864.
DEAR SHERMAN,
The bill reviving the grade of Lieut. Gen. in the Army has become a law and my name has been sent to the Senate for the place. I now receive orders to report to Washington, in person, immediately, which indicates either a confirmation or a likely-hood of confirmation. I start in the morning to comply with the order but I shall say very distinctly on my arrival there that I accept no appointment which will require me to make that city my Hd Qrs. This however is not what I started out to write about.
Whilst I have been eminently successful in this War, in at least gaining the confidence of the public, no one feels more than me how much of this success is due to the energy, skill, and harmonious puting forth of that energy and skill, of those who it has been my good fortune to have occupying a subordinate position under me. There are many officers to whom these remarks are applicable to a greater or less degree, proportionate to their ability as soldiers, but what I want is to express my thanks to you and McPherson as the men to whom, above all others, I feel indebted for whatever I have had of success. How far your advice and suggestions have been of assistance you know. How far your execution of whatever has been given you to do entitles you to the reward I am receiving you cannot know as well as me. I feel all the gratitude this letter would express, giving it the most flattering construction.
The word you I use in the plural intending it for Mc. also. I should write to him, and will some day, but starting in the morning I do not know that I will find time just now.
Your friend
U. S. GRANT
Maj. Gen.