August 17, 1864, Lincoln to Grant

Three years into the war, with Confederate troops once again advancing northward and draft riots threatening major cities, Lincoln read a telegram from General Grant to the army chief-of-staff that worried about the effect these events might have on the depletion of his force attacking Richmond. Lincoln responded, telling Grant, "Hold on with a bull-dog grip, and chew and choke." When Grant received the message, he observed, "The President has more nerve than any of his advisors."