In Mary's personal letters....

[RJNorton]

Donna, the quote you cited comes from a May 18, 1864, discussion between Lincoln and James R. Gilmore. Lincoln was talking about Grant's Spotsylvania campaign, and he told Gilmore:

"When my wife had her first baby, the doctor from time to time reported to me that everything was going on as well as could be expected under the circumstances. That satisfied me that he was doing his best, but still I felt anxious to hear the first squall. It came at last, and I felt mightily relieved. I feel very much so about our army operations at this moment."