The First National Salesforce: How Cooke’s Sales Army Saved the Union

You’ve heard about Abraham Lincoln. You’ve heard about Ulysses S. Grant. They’re credited with putting down the rebellion during the Civil War. But there was a forgotten sales master who may have been just as important.

“If ever there should be a Salesmen’s Hall of Fame, one of the first pedestals must be reserved for Jay Cooke.” – Ads and Sales, Herbert Newton Casson, 1911

In this episode, we explore the story of the “first national sales campaign” and the story of the unsung hero who, without his go-to-market sales strategy, the United States might look completely different today.

@saleshistorian on Instagram – daily quotes, pics & comics from the past
The Transparent Sales Leader – The book on revenue leadership includes several quotes and lessons from past sales.
The Transparency Sale – the first book, (ironically) named one of the top 100 sales books of all time.

COMING IN JANUARY OF 2026 – Four Levers Negotiating – chock full of history quotes, too…pre-order now.