ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT (1822-1885)

I. Early Years

Hiram Ulysses Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on April 27, 1822, the eldest son of Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson Grant. "Lyss" grew up in Georgetown, Ohio. In 1839, Grant was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy where, through an error of the congressman who nominated him, was enrolled as Ulysses Simpson Grant. Despite many attempts to correct this, he could do nothing, and reluctantly kept the name. He graduated in 1843, ranked 21st out of 39 students, and was commissioned brevet 2d lieutenant. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was there he met his future wife, Julia Dent.

II. Mexican War to American Civil War

As a full 2d lieutenant in the Mexican War, Grant fought in the Battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterrey. Zachary Taylor was his commanding officer. Grant's regiment was transferred to the command of Gen. Winfield Scott, who led them to capture Mexico City. At the Battle of Molino del Rey, Grant was made 1st lieutenant for his bravery. After the Mexican War, Grant was assigned to regular duty in New York. It was at this time he married Julia Dent. In 1852, he had to leave his young family, though, because of a transfer to Fort Vancouver. Because of the dullness (and an argument with his commanding officer), he resigned his commission as captain, and returned to Missouri to farm and to help his father. In 1861, at the outbreak of American Civil War, Grant put together a volunteer regiment of Union soldiers. Later, as commander of the 21st Illinois Regiment, he controlled Confederate guerrillas in the area. On August 7, 1861, President Lincoln promoted Grant to brigadier general of volunteers. Just days after receiving command, Grant took the strategic junction of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers.

III. Early Civil War

In February 1862, with the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, Grant would begin to gain national recognition. Because of these first major Union victories, Grant was promoted to major general of volunteers. His next major battle was Shiloh. Through a surprise by the Confederates, Grant was driven back to the Tennessee River, but recaptured control when reinforcements arrived. Although the Union won, Grant was criticized and blamed for the bloodiest battle yet. On October 25, 1862, Grant became commander of the Department of Tennessee and was ordered to take Vicksburg, the South's stronghold on the Mississippi River. Through a risky move of flanking the fort, and therefore cutting himself off from any retreat, Grant held off a threatened attack from Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and then took the offensive against Lieu. Gen. John C. Pemberton. After a long siege of the fort, Grant won Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. The victory was a decisive one and earned Grant the reputation as the Union's most skilled general and a promotion to major general in the Regular Army.

IV. Late Civil War

Grant's victory at the siege of Chattanooga brought him national fame and the position of lieutenant general of the armies of the United States. Under Grant's leadership, the Union armies became more organized. He ordered an organized war plan with simultaneous action of the four Union armies - the army of the Potomac, the army of the Tennessee, the army of the James, and the army of Louisiana. From May 4, 1864 to April 2, 1864, General Robert E. Lee parried and matched every move and strategy of Grant. Finally, with Sheridan's victory at Five Forks (April 1, 1865), Grant was ready to commence the end of the war. By cutting off Lee's army from Johnston's army, Grant forced Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. Seventeen days later, the American Civil War ended.

V. Presidency

Grant became the 18th president of the United States in 1869 and served two terms. He was not a politician, and only won the presidency over Horatio Seymour because of his popularity from the war. For his cabinet, he chose his friends, and because of his ignorant honesty, his presidency was marked with corruption and scandals. Grant twice attempted to win a third term, but failed both times.

VI. Last Years

The last five years of Grant's life were miserable. Because of a lack of income, he had to sell his wartime swords and souvenirs. He became afflicted with cancer of the throat and settled down to write his Personal Memoirs, two volumes of his life, including an account of the Civil War. Ulysses Simpson Grant died shortly after on July 23, 1885, at Mount McGregor, N.Y.


U.S. History April 10, 1995 Period 3
Civil War-Ulysses S. Grant