“This [adolescent] incident [of getting from point A
to point B] is notable not only because it underlines Grant’s fearless
horsemanship and his determination, but also it is the first known example
of a very important peculiarity of his character: Grant had an extreme, almost phobic dislike of turning back and retracing his steps. If he set out for somewhere, he would
get there somehow, whatever the difficulties that lay in his way.
This idiosyncrasy would turn out to be one the factors that made him such a
formidable general. Grant would always, always press on—turning back was
not an option for him.”
—Michael
Korda, Ulysses Grant