and refused to change it. Here his courage drew its strength from a firm knowledge of the situation. Courage is closely connected with self-discipline, for this teaches a man to rely upon himself.Grant unfailingly did so. Once he had made up his mind, he shouldered the full responsibility for his actions. Yet he never adhered to a plan obstinately. This we clearly see at Chattanooga, and in the Wilderness and Petersburg campaigns; but nothing would induce him to give up the idea behind the plan. Few men in history, soldiers or otherwise, have possessed so strongly that dauntless spirit of resolution which is that backbone of heroism. At Donelson and Shiloh, the enemy's initial attacks in no way shatter his determination; they strengthen it. His complete mastery over himself and his quiet orders and instructions at once electrify his troops with his own confidence. There was never any excitement, cursing or recrimination. His determination was unfailing, and the word "impossible" was not to be found in his military vocabulary. At Chattanooga, his quiet business-like confidence rapidly turned a starving rabble of men into a spirited army. His persistence at Petersburg is only rivaled by his brilliance at Vicksburg; and his determination to push after Lee, over bottomless roads to Appomattox, led to one of the most remarkable pursuits in history. One of the great secrets of Grants success was to take things as they were and to devotehis whole energies to making the best of them. He accepted failure without recrimination but never allowed himself to become resigned to it, and the psychological moment to act was never missed by him. His energy was extraordinary - fit or sick, nothing can stop him. He is always ready is act and never obsessed by difficulties. He never exaggerates dangers. At Belmont, in 1861, he said: "Don't be too anxious about what the other fellow is going to do to you, but make him anxious about what you are going to do...
