Many decades ago I read what was then considered the “best” biography of U.S. Grant.
I can’t recall the title or the author.
What stunned me and always stuck with me after reading that book was that, in the aftermath of the Civil War, U.S. Grant became the most admired celebrity in the world.
He was not a man who impressed me as having any exemplary skills - just a man with good common sense, a good work ethic, and above average leadership skills and perseverance.
After reading your post, his celebrity makes a lot more sense now.
Are those not exemplary skills?
Nobody ever, to my knowledge, accused Grant of stunning brilliance.
But he hung in there and fought, and was apparently about the only Union general capable of being hit hard, regrouping, then launching a successful counterattack.
Imagine McClellan, Pope or Hooker in command at Shiloh.
The same qualities could also be found in Ike, Omar Bradley, Chester Nimitz. Not much for show, publicity, ego, or headlines. Just get the job done, as quickly as possible then move on. JMO