Horace Porter served as lieutenant colonel on Ulysses S. Grant’s staff from April 1864 to the end of the Civil War. He accompanied Grant into battle in the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg campaigns, and was present at Lee’s surrender at McLean’s house. Throughout the war, he kept extensive notes that capture Grant’s conversations, as well as his own observations of military life.

Porter’s portrait of Grant is the most comprehensive first-hand account that we have. We see Grant as a soldier and hear in his own words the tactical evaluations that led to many of the war’s key decisions. We also hear of Grant’s dealings with Lincoln, of the close relationship between Sherman and Grant, and of Lee’s noble bearing at his surrender. This is a stirring account of our country’s most memorable conflict.