Who wrote this?

[David Lockmiller]

Was it General Grant?

General Grant is the correct answer.

Professor Burlingame's book Abraham Lincoln: A Life, Vol. Two, Chapter 34 - "The Wisest Radical of All" Reelection, at page 729 reads:

"Congratulate the President for me for the double victory," Grant wired Stanton. "The election having passed off quietly, no bloodshed or riot throughout the land, is a victory worth more to the country than a battle won. Rebeldom and Europe will so construe it." [Footnote 290 reads: Grant to Stanton, City Point, 10 Nov. 1864.]

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John Bright? Though not sure if he was still alive then.

John Bright was another very good (but incorrect) answer. The mutual respect that President Lincoln and John Bright had for one another was well-earned by both men.