March 10, 1864 -President Lincoln signs Ulysses S. Grant’s commission to command the U.S. Army

On March 10, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a document promoting Major General Ulysses S. Grant to lieutenant general of the U.S. Army, assigning him to lead all Union forces against the Confederates.

The rank of lieutenant general hadn’t been used since 1798, when President John Adams appointed George Washington to the position due to potential threats from France. Though Winfield Scott briefly held the rank during the Civil War, it was temporary; the rank hadn’t been used officially since Washington’s death in 1799.

In 1862, Lincoln requested Congress to reinstate the rank to differentiate the head of all Union forces from other generals. Congress agreed, but intended the promotion for Grant, despite Lincoln’s preference for Henry Halleck. Lincoln hesitated to promote Grant due to rumors that Grant might be nominated for president instead of Lincoln at the 1864 Republican National Convention. However, after Grant dismissed these rumors, Lincoln agreed to Congress’ choice.

As lieutenant general, Grant reported only to Lincoln. He earned the trust of both the troops and civilians and eventually led the Union to victory in 1865.

Despite his military success, Grant later reflected that he never intended to pursue a military career. At West Point, he didn’t expect to graduate, let alone lead the U.S. Army in a crucial struggle to preserve the Union.

In 1869, Grant became the 18th president of the United States.

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