Grant in 1864 waged the bloody Overland Campaign, which exacted heavy losses on both sides. When Lincoln asked what Grant's plans were, the persistent general replied, "I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." Grant's army moved steadily south. Lincoln traveled to Grant's headquarters at City Point, Virginia, to confer with Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. Lincoln reacted to Union losses by mobilizing support throughout the North. Lincoln authorized Grant to target infrastructure—plantations, railroads, and bridges—hoping to weaken the South's morale and fighting ability. He emphasized defeat of the Confederate armies over destruction (which was considerable) for its own sake. Lincoln's engagement became distinctly personal on one occasion in 1864 when Confederate general Jubal Early raided Washington, D.C. Legend has it that while Lincoln watched from an exposed position, Union Captain (and future Supreme Court Justice) Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. shouted at him, "Get down, you damn fool, before you get shot!" But this story is commonly regarded as apocryphal.James M. McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom. (New York, 1988) 757.James G. Randall and Richard N. Current, Lincoln the President: Last Full Measure (New York, 1955), 200.G. Edward White, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes: Law and the Inner Self. New York, 1993, 64–65.
grant in 1864 waged the bloody overland campaign which exacted heavy losses on both sides when lincoln asked what grant's plans were the persistent general replied "i propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer" grant's army moved steadily south lincoln traveled to grant's headquarters at city point virginia to confer with grant and william tecumseh sherman lincoln reacted to union losses by mobilizing support throughout the north lincoln authorized grant to target infrastructure—plantations railroads and bridges—hoping to weaken the south's morale and fighting ability he emphasized defeat of the confederate armies over destruction (which was considerable) for its own sake lincoln's engagement became distinctly personal on one occasion in 1864 when confederate general jubal early raided washington dc legend has it that while lincoln watched from an exposed position union captain (and future supreme court justice) oliver wendell holmes jr shouted at him "get down you damn fool before you get shot" but this story is commonly regarded as apocryphaljames m mcpherson battle cry of freedom (new york 1988) 757james g randall and richard n current lincoln the president last full measure (new york 1955) 200g edward white justice oliver wendell holmes law and the inner self new york 1993 64–65