Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant (born (born Hiram Ulysses GrantHiram Ulysses Grant;;

April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was the April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was the 18th18th President of the United StatesPresident of the United States (1869–1877) following his dominant (1869–1877) following his dominant role in the second half of the role in the second half of the Civil WarCivil War. . Under Grant, the Under Grant, the Union ArmyUnion Army defeated defeated the the Confederate militaryConfederate military and effectively and effectively ended the war with the surrender of ended the war with the surrender of Robert E. Lee'sRobert E. Lee's army at Appomattox. army at Appomattox.

Hiram Ulysses Grant was born in Hiram Ulysses Grant was born in Point PleasantPoint Pleasant, , OhioOhio on April 27, 1822. His on April 27, 1822. His father Jesse Root Grant (1794–1873) was a father Jesse Root Grant (1794–1873) was a self-reliant tanner (leather producer) and self-reliant tanner (leather producer) and businessman of businessman of EnglishEnglish ancestry, from an ancestry, from an austere family. His mother Hannah Simpson austere family. His mother Hannah Simpson Grant (1798–1883) was of Grant (1798–1883) was of ScottishScottish ancestry. Both were natives of ancestry. Both were natives of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1823, the family Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1823, the family moved to the village of moved to the village of GeorgetownGeorgetown in in Brown County, OhioBrown County, Ohio

Grant was neither disciplined, Grant was neither disciplined, baptized, nor forced to attend church baptized, nor forced to attend church by his parents. Grant is said to have by his parents. Grant is said to have inherited a degree of introversion inherited a degree of introversion from his reserved, even from his reserved, even "uncommonly detached" mother. "uncommonly detached" mother.

Work ethicWork ethic

Grant assumed the duties expected of Grant assumed the duties expected of him as a young man at home, which him as a young man at home, which primarily included maintaining the primarily included maintaining the firewood supply; he thereby developed firewood supply; he thereby developed a noteworthy ability to work with, and a noteworthy ability to work with, and control, horses in his charge, and used control, horses in his charge, and used this in providing transportation as a this in providing transportation as a vocation in his youth vocation in his youth

EducationEducation

At the age of 17, with the help of his father, Grant At the age of 17, with the help of his father, Grant was nominated by Congressman was nominated by Congressman Thomas L. Thomas L. HamerHamer for a position at the for a position at the United States Military AcademyUnited States Military Academy at at West Point, New YorkWest Point, New York. Hamer mistakenly . Hamer mistakenly nominated him as "Ulysses S. Grant of Ohio." At nominated him as "Ulysses S. Grant of Ohio." At West Point, he adopted this name with a middle West Point, he adopted this name with a middle initial only. His nickname became "Sam" among initial only. His nickname became "Sam" among army colleagues at the academy, since the initials army colleagues at the academy, since the initials "U.S." stood for "Uncle Sam". The "S", according to "U.S." stood for "Uncle Sam". The "S", according to Grant, did not "stand for anything", though Hamer Grant, did not "stand for anything", though Hamer had used it to abbreviate his mother's maiden had used it to abbreviate his mother's maiden name name

West PointWest Point

Grant, then standing at 5 feet 2 inches and Grant, then standing at 5 feet 2 inches and weighing 117 lbs., graduated from West Point weighing 117 lbs., graduated from West Point in 1843, ranking 21st in a class of 39. Part of in 1843, ranking 21st in a class of 39. Part of Grant's demerits were due to his refusal, at Grant's demerits were due to his refusal, at times, of compulsory church attendance, then times, of compulsory church attendance, then a West Point policy that Grant viewed as anti-a West Point policy that Grant viewed as anti-republican. Grant freely admitted that he was republican. Grant freely admitted that he was lax in his studies; however, he achieved above lax in his studies; however, he achieved above average grades in mathematics and geology. average grades in mathematics and geology.

Grant established a reputation as a fearless Grant established a reputation as a fearless and expert horseman, setting an equestrian and expert horseman, setting an equestrian high jump record that lasted almost 25 high jump record that lasted almost 25 years. Grant later recalled that his years. Grant later recalled that his departure from West Point was of the departure from West Point was of the happiest of his times, and that his intent happiest of his times, and that his intent had been to resign his commission after had been to resign his commission after serving the minimum term of obligated serving the minimum term of obligated duty. Although naturally suited for cavalry, duty. Although naturally suited for cavalry, he was assigned to duty as a regimental he was assigned to duty as a regimental quartermaster, managing supplies and quartermaster, managing supplies and equipment in the equipment in the 4th U.S. Infantry4th U.S. Infantry, and , and achieved the rank of brevet second achieved the rank of brevet second lieutenant lieutenant

Mexican WarMexican War

During the During the Mexican American WarMexican American War (1846–1848), Lieutenant Grant served (1846–1848), Lieutenant Grant served under Generals under Generals Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor and and Winfield ScottWinfield Scott. Discontent with his . Discontent with his responsibilities as a quartermaster, responsibilities as a quartermaster, Grant made his way to the front lines to Grant made his way to the front lines to engage in the battle, and participated as engage in the battle, and participated as a de-facto cavalryman in the battles of a de-facto cavalryman in the battles of Resaca de la PalmaResaca de la Palma, , Palo AltoPalo Alto, , MonterreyMonterrey, and , and VeracruzVeracruz

He detailed his reflections on the war He detailed his reflections on the war in his memoirs, indicating he had in his memoirs, indicating he had learned extensively by closely learned extensively by closely observing the decisions and actions observing the decisions and actions of his commanding officers, of his commanding officers, particularly admiring particularly admiring Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor's methods, and in retrospect 's methods, and in retrospect identified himself with Taylor's style. identified himself with Taylor's style.

HardscrabbleHardscrabble

On August 22, 1848 after a four On August 22, 1848 after a four year engagement, Grant married year engagement, Grant married Julia Boggs DentJulia Boggs Dent (1826–1902), the (1826–1902), the daughter of a prominent Missouri daughter of a prominent Missouri plantation and slave owner, and plantation and slave owner, and sister of a West Point roommate, sister of a West Point roommate, FrederickFrederick..2020 He and Julia had four He and Julia had four children: children: Frederick Dent GrantFrederick Dent Grant; ; Ulysses S. "Buck" Grant, Jr.Ulysses S. "Buck" Grant, Jr.; ; Ellen Ellen WrenshallWrenshall "Nellie" Grant "Nellie" Grant; and ; and Jesse Root GrantJesse Root Grant

In subsequent years Capt. "Sam" Grant served at a variety In subsequent years Capt. "Sam" Grant served at a variety of of bleakbleak army posts. Lonely for his wife and son (he had army posts. Lonely for his wife and son (he had married Julia Dent in 1848), the married Julia Dent in 1848), the taciturntaciturn, unhappy captain , unhappy captain began drinking. Warned by his commanding officer, Grant began drinking. Warned by his commanding officer, Grant resigned from the Army in July 1854. He borrowed money resigned from the Army in July 1854. He borrowed money for transportation to St. Louis, Mo., where he joined his for transportation to St. Louis, Mo., where he joined his family and tried a series of occupations without much family and tried a series of occupations without much success: farmer, success: farmer, realtorrealtor, candidate for county engineer, and , candidate for county engineer, and customshouse clerk. He was working as a store clerk at the customshouse clerk. He was working as a store clerk at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861.beginning of the Civil War in 1861.

As a general in the Civil War, Ulysses S. As a general in the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant possessed the right qualities for Grant possessed the right qualities for prosecuting offensive warfare against the prosecuting offensive warfare against the brilliant tactics of his Southern adversary brilliant tactics of his Southern adversary Robert E. Lee. Bold and Robert E. Lee. Bold and indefatigableindefatigable, , Grant believed in destroying enemy Grant believed in destroying enemy armies rather than merely occupying armies rather than merely occupying enemy territory. His strategic genius and enemy territory. His strategic genius and tenacitytenacity overcame the Confederates' overcame the Confederates' advantage of fighting a defensive war on advantage of fighting a defensive war on their own territory.their own territory.

This was a war Grant did believe in, and he offered his services. The This was a war Grant did believe in, and he offered his services. The governor of Illinois appointed him colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteers in governor of Illinois appointed him colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteers in June 1861. Grant took his regiment to Missouri, where, to his surprise, he June 1861. Grant took his regiment to Missouri, where, to his surprise, he was promoted to brigadier general.was promoted to brigadier general.

Grant persuaded his superiors to authorize an attack on Ft. Henry on the Grant persuaded his superiors to authorize an attack on Ft. Henry on the Tennessee River and Ft. Donelson on the Cumberland in order to gain Tennessee River and Ft. Donelson on the Cumberland in order to gain Union control of these two important rivers. Preceded by gunboats, Grant's Union control of these two important rivers. Preceded by gunboats, Grant's 17,000 troops marched out of Cairo, Ill., on Feb. 2, 1862. After Ft. Henry 17,000 troops marched out of Cairo, Ill., on Feb. 2, 1862. After Ft. Henry surrendered, the soldiers took Ft. Donelson. Here Confederate general surrendered, the soldiers took Ft. Donelson. Here Confederate general Simon B. Buckner, one of Grant's West Point classmates (and the man who, Simon B. Buckner, one of Grant's West Point classmates (and the man who, much earlier, had loaned the much earlier, had loaned the impecuniousimpecunious captain the money to rejoin his captain the money to rejoin his family), requested an family), requested an armisticearmistice. Grant's reply became famous: "No terms . Grant's reply became famous: "No terms except an except an unconditionalunconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works." Buckner surrendered. One propose to move immediately upon your works." Buckner surrendered. One of the first important Northern victories of the war, the capture of Ft. of the first important Northern victories of the war, the capture of Ft. Donelson won Grant promotion to major general.Donelson won Grant promotion to major general.

ShilohShiloh Grant next concentrated 38,000 men at Pittsburgh Grant next concentrated 38,000 men at Pittsburgh

Landing (Shiloh) on the Tennessee River, preparing for Landing (Shiloh) on the Tennessee River, preparing for an offensive. He unwisely neglected to prepare for a an offensive. He unwisely neglected to prepare for a possible Confederate counteroffensive. At dawn on April possible Confederate counteroffensive. At dawn on April 6, 1862, the Confederate attack surprised the sleeping 6, 1862, the Confederate attack surprised the sleeping Union soldiers. Grant did his best to prevent a rout, and Union soldiers. Grant did his best to prevent a rout, and at the end of the day Union lines still held, but the at the end of the day Union lines still held, but the Confederates were in command of most of the field. The Confederates were in command of most of the field. The next day the Union Army counterattacked with 25,000 next day the Union Army counterattacked with 25,000 fresh troops, who had arrived during the night, and fresh troops, who had arrived during the night, and drove the Southerners into full retreat. The North had drove the Southerners into full retreat. The North had triumphed in one of the triumphed in one of the bloodiestbloodiest battles of the war, but battles of the war, but Grant was criticized for his carelessness. Urged to Grant was criticized for his carelessness. Urged to replace Grant, President Abraham Lincoln refused, replace Grant, President Abraham Lincoln refused, saying, "I can't spare this man - he fights."saying, "I can't spare this man - he fights."

Grant set out to Grant set out to recouprecoup his reputation and his reputation and secure Union control of the Mississippi River by secure Union control of the Mississippi River by taking the rebel stronghold at Vicksburg, Miss.taking the rebel stronghold at Vicksburg, Miss.

Several attempts were frustrated; in the North Several attempts were frustrated; in the North criticism of Grant was growing and there were criticism of Grant was growing and there were reports that he had begun drinking heavily.reports that he had begun drinking heavily.

But in April 1863 Grant embarked on a bold But in April 1863 Grant embarked on a bold scheme to take Vicksburg. While he marched his scheme to take Vicksburg. While he marched his 20,000 men past the fortress on the opposite 20,000 men past the fortress on the opposite (west) bank, an (west) bank, an ironcladironclad fleet sailed by the fleet sailed by the batteries. The flotilla rendezvoused with Grant batteries. The flotilla rendezvoused with Grant below the fort and transported the troops across below the fort and transported the troops across the river. In one of the most brilliant gambles of the river. In one of the most brilliant gambles of the war, Grant cut himself off from his base in the the war, Grant cut himself off from his base in the midst of enemy territory with numerically inferior midst of enemy territory with numerically inferior forces. The gamble paid off. Grant drove one forces. The gamble paid off. Grant drove one Confederate Army from the city of Jackson, then Confederate Army from the city of Jackson, then turned and defeated a second force at Champion's turned and defeated a second force at Champion's Hill, forcing the rebels to withdraw to Vicksburg on Hill, forcing the rebels to withdraw to Vicksburg on May 20. Union troops laid siege to Vicksburg, and May 20. Union troops laid siege to Vicksburg, and on July 4 the garrison surrendered. on July 4 the garrison surrendered.

Significance of VicksbrgSignificance of Vicksbrg

Thus, the Confederacy was cut in Thus, the Confederacy was cut in two. Coming at the same time as the two. Coming at the same time as the Northern victory at Gettysburg, this Northern victory at Gettysburg, this was the turning point of the war.was the turning point of the war.

Grant was given command of the Western Grant was given command of the Western Department, and in the fall of 1863 he took Department, and in the fall of 1863 he took command of the Union Army pinned down at command of the Union Army pinned down at ChattanoogaChattanooga after its defeat in the Battle of after its defeat in the Battle of Chickamauga. In a series of battles on November Chickamauga. In a series of battles on November 23, 24, and 25, the rejuvenated Northern troops 23, 24, and 25, the rejuvenated Northern troops dislodged the besieging Confederates, the most dislodged the besieging Confederates, the most spirited infantry charge of the war climaxing the spirited infantry charge of the war climaxing the encounter. It was a great victory; Congress created encounter. It was a great victory; Congress created the rank of lieutenant general for Grant, who was the rank of lieutenant general for Grant, who was placed in command of all the armies of the Union.placed in command of all the armies of the Union.

Lookout Mountain

Grant was at the summit of his career. A reticent Grant was at the summit of his career. A reticent man, unimpressive in physical appearance, he man, unimpressive in physical appearance, he gave few clues to the reasons for his success. He gave few clues to the reasons for his success. He rarely communicated his thinking; he was the rarely communicated his thinking; he was the epitome of the strong, silent type. But Grant had epitome of the strong, silent type. But Grant had deep resources of character, a quietly forceful deep resources of character, a quietly forceful personality that won the respect and confidence personality that won the respect and confidence of subordinates, and a decisiveness and bulldog of subordinates, and a decisiveness and bulldog tenacity that served him well in planning and tenacity that served him well in planning and carrying out military operations.carrying out military operations.

In the spring of 1864 the Union armies In the spring of 1864 the Union armies launched a coordinated offensive designed launched a coordinated offensive designed to bring the war to an end. However, Lee to bring the war to an end. However, Lee brilliantly staved off Grant's stronger Army brilliantly staved off Grant's stronger Army of the Potomac in a series of battles in of the Potomac in a series of battles in Virginia. Union forces suffered fearful Virginia. Union forces suffered fearful losses, especially at Cold Harbor, while war losses, especially at Cold Harbor, while war weariness and criticism of Grant as a weariness and criticism of Grant as a "butcher" mounted in the North."butcher" mounted in the North.

Lee moved into entrenchments at Lee moved into entrenchments at Petersburg, Va., and Grant settled down Petersburg, Va., and Grant settled down there for a long siege. Meanwhile, Gen. there for a long siege. Meanwhile, Gen. William T. Sherman captured Atlanta and William T. Sherman captured Atlanta and began his march through Georgia, South began his march through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, cutting what Carolina, and North Carolina, cutting what remained of the Confederacy into pieces. In remained of the Confederacy into pieces. In the spring of 1865 Lee fell back to the spring of 1865 Lee fell back to Appomattox, where on April 9 he met Grant Appomattox, where on April 9 he met Grant in the courthouse to receive the generous in the courthouse to receive the generous terms of surrender.terms of surrender.

PostwarPostwar

Grant's postwar career was decidedly anticlimactic. To be Grant's postwar career was decidedly anticlimactic. To be sure, he was elected as a Republican to two terms as sure, he was elected as a Republican to two terms as president (1869-1877), but his administrations were marred president (1869-1877), but his administrations were marred by indecisive leadership, an inconsistent policy on southern by indecisive leadership, an inconsistent policy on southern Reconstruction, and massive corruption. Coupled with a Reconstruction, and massive corruption. Coupled with a severe economic depression that began in 1873, severe economic depression that began in 1873, administration scandals cost Grant much of his popularity. administration scandals cost Grant much of his popularity. Nonetheless, his presidency did have some solid Nonetheless, his presidency did have some solid accomplishments. The Treaty of Washington in 1872 accomplishments. The Treaty of Washington in 1872 resolved a major dispute with Great Britain over damages resolved a major dispute with Great Britain over damages inflicted on American shipping by Confederate raiders built inflicted on American shipping by Confederate raiders built in British shipyards during the Civil War. The Enforcement in British shipyards during the Civil War. The Enforcement Acts of 1870-1871 broke the power of the Ku Klux Klan in Acts of 1870-1871 broke the power of the Ku Klux Klan in the Reconstruction South, and the Civil Rights Act of 1875 the Reconstruction South, and the Civil Rights Act of 1875 marked an unprecedented attempt to extend federal marked an unprecedented attempt to extend federal protection of black civil rights to areas of public protection of black civil rights to areas of public accommodations. accommodations.

Grant MemorialGrant Memorial