# Abraham Lincoln — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant character guide > Abraham Lincoln in Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Lincoln, Lincoln, President Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot The President who visits City Point to escape Washington's anxieties, trading jokes about overcoats while the war's endgame hangs in the balance. ## Who they are Lincoln comes to Grant's headquarters after meeting the Hampton Roads peace commissioners, glad to leave the capital's cares behind for a few days. He tells Grant the story of Stephens's enormous overcoat, a moment of humor that Grant later repeats to a Confederate senator. Behind the ease lies the weight of a presidency steering the war's final winter, and his visits and telegrams frame the political stakes of every military decision Grant makes. ## Relationships ### [Ulysses S. Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/ulysses_s_grant) _professional_ Lincoln was Grant's commander-in-chief, providing unwavering support and trusting Grant with overall command of Union armies. ### [Ulysses S. Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/ulysses_s_grant) _professional_ Lincoln was Grant's commander-in-chief, providing unwavering support and trusting Grant with overall command of Union armies. ### [Ulysses S. Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/ulysses_s_grant) _professional_ Lincoln was Grant's commander-in-chief, providing unwavering support and trusting Grant with overall command of Union armies. ## In the story ### [Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/personal-memoirs-of-u-s-grant) President during the Civil War, whose leadership and policies Grant discusses. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/i) Mentioned indirectly through the political context of the 1860 election and the Democratic party's loss. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the political opponent of Jefferson Davis in the context of Georgetown's Democratic leanings. ### [Army Life—Causes of the Mexican War—Camp Salubrity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/iii) Not mentioned in this chapter. ### [San Francisco—Early California Experiences—Life on the Pacific Coast—Promoted Captain—Flush Times in California](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xv) Not directly mentioned in this chapter. ### [Resignation—Private Life—Life at Galena—The Coming Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xvi) Mentioned indirectly as the Republican candidate elected in 1860, whose victory precipitated secession. ### [Outbreak of the Rebellion — Presiding at a Union Meeting — Mustering Officer of State Troops — Lyon at Camp Jackson — Services Tendered to the Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xvii) Sworn in as President on March 4, 1861; issues first call for 75,000 volunteers after the firing on Fort Sumter. ### [Appointed Colonel of the 21st Illinois—Personnel of the Regiment—General Logan—March to Missouri—Movement Against Harris at Florida, Mo.—General Pope in Command—Stationed at Mexico, Mo.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xviii) President; issued the second call for 300,000 troops for three years or the war, which brought state regiments into federal service. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxiii) President; mentioned in context of Washington's concerns about Grant's actions. ### [Halleck Assumes Command in the Field—The Advance Upon Corinth—Occupation of Corinth—The Army Separated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxvi) Mentioned as the recipient of reports forwarded to Washington by Halleck. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxvii) Not directly mentioned in excerpts; omitted as no clear presence. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxviii) President; Grant notes Lincoln's unwavering faith in the Union cause despite discouraging circumstances. ### [Van Dorn's Movements — Battle of Corinth — Command of the Department of the Tennessee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxix) Sent a congratulatory letter to Grant after the Battle of Corinth. ### [The Vicksburg Campaign: Running the Batteries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxii) President and Commander-in-Chief; Grant notes Lincoln's constant support despite political pressure. ### [Movement Against Jackson—Fall of Jackson—Intercepting the Enemy—Battle of Champion's Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxv) Mentioned indirectly as the President during whose administration the proprietor of the destroyed factory later sought compensation. ### [Battle of Black River Bridge—Crossing the Big Black—Investment of Vicksburg—Assaulting the Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxvi) President; Grant's success at Vicksburg is a strategic priority for the Union. ### [Retrospect of the Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxix) Implied as part of the administration that was 'frantic' over the situation at Chattanooga. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xliii) President who congratulated Grant on the success and urged him to remember Burnside. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlvi) Presents Grant with his commission, expresses the nation's trust, and shares his own plan of campaign while assuring Grant he will not interfere. ### [Chapter LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lvii) Sends a characteristic dispatch endorsing Grant's aggressive orders and urging vigilance. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lviii) President, expresses concern about Sheridan's pursuit and the political impact of the battle on the November elections. ### [The Campaign in Georgia—Sherman’s March to the Sea—War Anecdotes—The March on Savannah—Investment of Savannah—Capture of Savannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lix) Inquires about Sherman's safety; Grant reassures him. ### [LXI: Expedition Against Fort Fisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxi) Receives Grant's telegram about the failure of the first expedition. ### [Sherman's March North](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxii) Mentioned indirectly through the administration; Grant references Mr. Davis's opposition to Johnston. ### [Arrival of the Peace Commissioners—Lincoln and the Peace Commissioners—An Anecdote of Lincoln—The Winter Before Petersburg—Sheridan Destroys the Railroad—Gordon Carries the Picket Line—Parke Recaptures the Line—The Line of Battle of White Oak Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxiii) Meets peace commissioners at Hampton Roads; insists on Union preservation and abolition; shares anecdote about Stephens's overcoat. ### [The Capture of Petersburg—Meeting President Lincoln in Petersburg—The Capture of Richmond—Pursuing the Enemy—Visit to Sheridan and Meade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxv) Visits Grant in Petersburg after its capture; discusses the end of the war and the need for reconciliation. ### [Morale of the Two Armies—President Lincoln Visits Richmond—President Lincoln's Assassination—President Johnson's Policy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxviii) Visited Richmond after its fall; his assassination is mentioned as a pivotal event. ### [LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxix) Mentioned for his meeting with peace commissioners at Hampton Roads and his authorization of the Virginia legislature; his views influence Sherman's terms. ### [The End of the War — The March to Washington — One of Lincoln’s Anecdotes — Grand Review at Washington — Characteristics of Lincoln and Stanton — Estimate of the Different Corps Commanders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxx) Described as not requiring a guardian; trusting of his generals and willing to let them execute plans. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/conclusion) Mentioned in context of discussions about European intervention in Mexico. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/endnotes) Expresses gratitude to Grant and his command for victories at Knoxville and Chattanooga. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/abraham_lincoln - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters