Lot 20

Ike On Grant: "... my respect for Grant has been high, in spite of many bitter criticisms that I have read both of his military ability and of his personal habits" - Fantastic

Previous image preload Next image preload

Ike On Grant: "... my respect for Grant has been high, in spite of many bitter criticisms that I have read both of his military ability and of his personal habits" - Fantastic

Estimate: $4,000 - $5,000

Current Bid: $1,400

(1 Bid)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Dwight Eisenhower
[Washington, DC], November 12, 1946
Ike On Grant: "... my respect for Grant has been high, in spite of many bitter criticisms that I have read both of his military ability and of his personal habits" - Fantastic
TLS

A 1p typed letter signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), then in his role as 16th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, as "Dwight D Eisenhower" at lower right. November 12, 1946. [Washington, D.C.] Typed on a watermarked leaf of "War Department / The Chief of Staff / Washington" letterhead. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. Minor grubbiness towards the upper left margin, with a barely perceptible paper clip impression along the top edge. Else near fine. 7.875" x 10.5".

Eisenhower wrote this letter of appreciation to Civil War historian Dr. William Elizabeth Brooks (1875-1960), whose monograph, "Grant of Appomattox: A Study of the Man" (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1942), Eisenhower had recently read and thoroughly enjoyed. In this letter, Eisenhower thanked Dr. Brooks for his thoughtful and measured treatment of Grant's personal and professional life. Eisenhower's opinion of the Grant biography had added cache since he, like Grant, was a wartime officer and commander. There were distinct parallels between Grant's leadership of "all the Northern armies" during the Civil War, and Eisenhower's command of U.S. and S.H.A.E.F. forces in Western Europe during World War II. Eisenhower's endorsement of Grant's biography was effectively from one general to another.

Eisenhower's insights into U.S. Grant's military career can and should be read as autobiographical, especially the former's comments that a military commander must conceptualize a campaign in terms of the big picture: "I think people frequently lose sight of the importance of this broad scheme which lies behind every move the Commander makes… attempting to separate one battle … from the whole [renders it] out of focus." In the last paragraph, where Eisenhower praises Grant's job performance, the former lists the positive attributes of an effective military leader, as he sees them: determination; unperturbedness; calculation; goal-orientation.

In part:

"Recently Dr. Hutchison of Lafayette College let me have your volume on 'Grant of Appomattox.' I am now returning it to him and in doing so I felt an urge to tell you how much I enjoyed your very excellent presentation of Grant's character and military accomplishments.

Many years ago I read Grant's report to the Secretary of War, submitted, I think, somewhere about the middle of July, 1865. The first several paragraphs of that report impressed me mightily - in them the Commander traced out his general idea or his general plan for the defeat of the Confederacy at the moment he was called upon to assume charge of all the Northern armies. I think people frequently lose sight of the importance of this broad scheme which lies behind every move the Commander makes. As a consequence we see people - sometimes highly informed critics - attempting to separate one battle or one point of a campaign from the whole and in doing so they get it completely out of focus. Ever since I read that report my respect for Grant has been high, in spite of many bitter criticisms that I have read both of his military ability and of his personal habits.

With respect to this last item I am delighted that you have handled it so carefully and so logically. It never seemed possible to me (and I have thought about it often during the months since December, 1941) that a man who was constantly under the influence of liquor could have pursued a single course so steadfastly, could have accepted frequent failures of subordinates without losing his own equilibrium, could have made numbers of close decisions which involved a nice balance between risk and advantage, and could have maintained the respect of such men as Sherman, Sheridan, Meade, and above all, President Lincoln. I think there is no part of your book that struck me with greater force than your summing up of Grant on pages 304-306.

I realize that this is a long and roundabout way merely to say 'I like your book' but I still want to add, 'Thank you for writing it.'"

Eisenhower had borrowed the Grant biography from Dr. Ralph Hutchinson (1898-1966), president of Lafayette College (Easton, Pennsylvania). The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History now holds Hutchinson's copy of the book in its collection. It was presented by Dr. Brooks to Dr. Hutchinson in October 1942. Then, on November 21, 1946 - no doubt in response to Eisenhower's enthusiastic review of the book - Dr. Hutchinson presented the book to Dwight D. Eisenhower. The general had attended Founder's Day ceremonies at Lafayette College two weeks before writing this letter, on November 1, 1946. At that event, Eisenhower was presented with an honorary degree as doctor of laws from the college, and also most likely given this reading material from the Lafayette College president!

Eisenhower's letter has added interest because he opines about two former U.S. Presidents - Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant - about a decade before he himself would assume the presidency.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 7.875" x 10.5"
  • Medium: TLS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000