Early Years

• Hiram Ulysses Grant was born on April 27, 1822 in

Point Pleasant, Ohio.

• First child of Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson Grant.

• After he was born the Grant Family moved to

Georgetown, Ohio where he had an uneventful

childhood.

• He did show great aptitude as a horseman in his

youth.

Early Years (Continued)

He became shy and reserved like his mother

rather than being outgoing like his father.

He hated working in father’s tannery business.

During his listing, there was an error with his

name and he was listed as Ulysses S. Grant.

In fear of being rejected by the school, he immediately changed his name.

Military Education

Ulysses Grant earned only average grades at

West Point Military Academy.

His education, prior to West Point, was limited,

therefore he was left as an unexceptional student.

Only exceled in Math, Geology and especially in

horsemanship.

Graduated 21st of 39 in his class and was happy to

out of school.

Military Education (Continued)

After graduation, he was commissioned a Brevet

Second Lieutenant in the 4th infantry.

He planned to resign from the military after his four years of mandatory service.

Military Education (Continued)

After graduating from West Point Military Academy, he was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, near St. Louis.

Met his future wife, Julia Dent, who was the sister of one of his roommates at West Point.

They became engaged in June 1844, but Ulysses was sent out to fight in the Mexican-American War for 4 years.

He served as a quartermaster, efficiently overseeing the movement of supplies.

After leading a company into combat, he was credited for his bravery under fire.

He soon developed feelings that war is wrong and was only used to expand America’s territory for the spread of slavery.

Early Successes in the

Battles of Western Theatre Battle of Fort Sumpter

The rebellion attack on, April 12, 1861, sparked Ulysses S. Grant’s patriotism.

He volunteered his military services and was initially rejected, but with the help of an Illinois congressman, he was appointed commander of the 21st volunteer regiment.

Using his past war lessons, he found the regiment was ready by September, 1861.

Battle of Fort Sumter

Early Successes in the Battles

of the Western Theatres (Continued)

Fort Henry and Fort Donelson

Kentucky’s fragile neutrality crumbled to pieces in 1861, and Grant and his men took the small town of Paducah, Kentucky at the mouth of the Tennessee River.

In February 1862, in a joint operation with the U.S. Navy, Grant’s volunteer forces applied pressure on Fort Henry and Fort Donelson taking both of them.

Earliest significant Union victories of the American Civil War.

Earned the moniker “Unconditional Surrender Grant”

Early Successes in the Battles

of the Western Theatre (continued)

Battle of Shiloh

Confederate commanders Albert Sidney

Johnston and P.G.T Beauregard led a surprise

attack early in the morning against Grant at a

place called the “Hornet’s Nest.”

Grant somehow held good position despite being

pushed back by the surprise attack.

Reinforcements finally arrived the nest day and

Grant counterattacked on the second day.

Early Successes in the Battles

of the Western Theatre (Continued)

Battle of Shiloh

Was one of the bloodiest battles in the war.

Battle of Shiloh proved to be watershed for

American military and near disaster for Grant.

He was demoted for some time, but he was

reinstated by a war department investigation.

Lincoln supported Grant and his efforts and

President Lincoln appointed him to Major General

of volunteers.

Battle of Shiloh

Early Successes in the Battles

of the Western Theatres (Continued)

Battle of Vicksburg

Union war strategy called for taking control of the

Mississippi River.

In December 1862, Grant moved to take

Vicksburg, a key fortress city of the Confederacy.

Vicksburg took many strategic assaults before the

union victory that came July 4, 1863.

Vicksburg marked both Grant’s greatest

achievement thus far and a moral boost for the Union.

Battle of Vicksburg

Early Successes in the Battles

of the Western Theatre (Continued)

Battle of Chattanooga

Grant took command at Chattanooga,

Tennessee.

From November 22nd to November 25th, Union

forces tracked down confederate troops in

Tennessee at the battles of Lookout Mountain and

Missionary Ridge (a.k.a. Battle of Chattanooga).

Circumstances that brought Grant

to the Eastern Theater

The Eastern Theater was a venue for many Union

campaigns launched by the Union Army of the

Potomac to capture the Confederate capital,

Richmond, Virginia.

Many of these were frustrated by the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia,

commanded by General Robert E. Lee.

Lincoln sought a general who could match Lee’s

boldness.

Lincoln also appointed many Major Generals to

command Principal Eastern Armies.

Circumstances that brought Grant

to the Eastern Theater (Continued)

Union forces were able to capture Richmond,

Virginia, but only after several bloody battle of the

Overland Campaign and a nine month siege

near Petersburg and Richmond.

In March 1864, Ulysses S. Grant was promoted to Lieutenant General and was given command Of

all Union armies.

First objective in Virginia was to maneuver Lee’s

army to a decisive battle.

Second objective was to capture the

Confederate Capital of Richmond, Virginia.

Circumstances that brought Grant

to the Eastern Theater (Continued)

In early May 1864, the Army of the Potomac

crossed the Rapidan River and entered what is

known as the Wilderness of Spotsylvania.

The two day Battle of the Wilderness was

tactically inconclusive, but was very damaging to

both sides.

Grant did not retreat, but he sent his army

southeast.

Grant knew his larger army and base of

manpower in the North could endure the war even though suffering approx. 55,000 casualties.

Battle of the Wilderness

Circumstances that brought Grant

to the Eastern Theater (Continued)

General Lee beat Grant to the crossroads town and established strong defensive positions in the Battle of Spotsylvania.

In a massive assault, on May 12, by II Corps on the “Bloody Angle”, foreshadowed tactics used against trenches in WWI.

Grant again went southeast after disengaging.

Lee had a chance to defeat Grant, but he failed to attack in the necessary way, possibly because of Illness.

Grant, even after rejecting a frontal assault and approving a plan to move around the Confederate left flank, changed his mind and continued to move southeast.

Circumstances that brought Grant

to the Eastern Theater (Continued)

Union cavalry seized the crossroads of Old Cold

Harbor.

Late June 1, two Union corps Cold Harbor and assaulted the Confederate ranks with some

success.

At dawn, on June 3, II and XVIII corps assaulted

the Confederate line but were slaughtered.

Grant lost a total of 12,000 men and he regretted

this battle more than any other.

Northern newspapers frequently referred to him as

“The Butcher” after this battle.

Circumstance that brought Grant

to the Eastern Theater (Continued)

Grant decided to seized Petersburg rather than heading straight for Richmond, because Petersburg contained rail links supplying the Confederate capital.

Both armies prepared for a siege, but in an attempt to break the siege, troops in Ambrose Burnside’s corps mined a tunnel under the Confederate line.

July 30, the explosives were detonated, and created a crater 135 feet in diameter and remains to this day.

About 350 Confederate troops instantly in the blast.

This battle was a confederate victory due to Union poor tactical planning, despite the ingenuity of the plan.

Battle of the Crater

Circumstances that brought Grant

to the Eastern Theater (Continued)

Through the fall and winter, both armies dug

elaborate series of trenches, that soon spanned

more than 30 miles.

Northern public began to feel dread and

dispirited by Petersburg, but the huge success of

Sherman at Atlanta ensured the reelection of

Lincoln.

Circumstances that brought Grant

to the Eastern Theater (Continued)

After the Seize of Petersburg, came the capture of Richmond Virginia.

Union forces wearing down the Confederate troops with the nine month siege.

Robert E. Lee ordered one last all out attack in attempt to break Union defenses. The attack failed and confederates lost about 4,800 men (literally 1/10 of the Confederate army!).

April 2, before daylight, the National Federal Bombardment begins and huge waves of Union troops come from their trenches and begin 18 hours of continuous fighting.

Confederates evacuate Richmond and burn all military stocks, but an unfortunate breeze swept through burning some 50 square blocks of Richmond.

Circumstances that brought Grant

to the Eastern Theater (Continued)

Ulysses S. Grant reached out to Robert E. Lee asking for his surrender, on April 6, 1865, when it became even more clear that the Army of Northern Virginia was dissolving.

After Union victories at Appomattox Station on April 8, 1865, where critical supplies was captured, Robert E. Lee wrote to Ulysses S. Grant saying that he accepts his surrender terms.

He also agreed to meet and sign the surrender treaty at the Appomattox Court house the very next day, April 9, 1865.

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated 5 days after on April 14, 1865.

Grants Leadership Style

Prior to the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant demonstrated very few leadership qualities with mediocre performance as a cadet at West Point Military Academy. He finished at the bottom of his class.

Grant’s early services in the war, particularly the Battles of Shiloh and Vicksburg, proved that he was someone of better quality than, someone with a reputation for drinking.

Grant was the most celebrated American of his time.

With many successes he earned the title “Savior of the Union”.

Grant’s Leadership Style (Continued)

Some people say that he was modest, rough, and

crude with a macho edge.

People who knew him personally say that he was a shy and reserved person that was forgiving.

His intellect always seemed to be more focused

towards military, farming, history, and topography.

Grant’s Leadership Style (Continued)

When U.S. Grant was a general, he only spoke

when he had something important to say.

Everything he said and ordered was very clear and well understood.

He fought fiercely to preserve the roles and

successes of the Union.

He, as a leader, embraced his high sense of duty

and belief in his country.

Grant’s Leadership

Discuss Grant’s Leadership

Styles (Continued)

He had an astounding popularity amongst the

population.

Served two terms in office and was almost nominated to run for a 3rd term even after two

scandal ridden terms.

Became known as “The Old Guard” during his

reelection, because of his policies in radical

reconstruction aligning troops along the southern

state borders.

People and politicians were displeased and revered as an act of militarism.

Grant’s Post War Experiences

Including the Presidency

Was promoted to full general during the war reconstruction and oversaw all military portions of the reconstruction.

He was put in an awkward position during Andrew Johnson’s fight with the Radical Republicans and Impeachment in 1868. Then U.S. Grant was elected.

Became known for appointing people who didn’t have very great character.

His successes include: Pushing the ratification of the 15th amendment, establishing the National Parks Service, and administrative scandals rocked both of his terms.

Didn’t get the chance to serve a 3rd term.

Grant’s Post War Experiences

Including the Presidency (Continued)

Grant’s unsuccessful civilian resumed after his

presidency.

He became a partner of Grant and Ward Financial Firm until his partner, Ferdinand Ward,

embezzled investor’s money and left both Grant

and the firm to go Bankrupt in 1884.

Grant was diagnosed with Cancer of the throat

that same year.

He began to sell short magazine articles about his

life in attempt to make money.

Grant’s Post War Experiences

Including the Presidency (Continued)

He negotiated a contract with his old friend, Mark

Twain, to publish his Memoirs.

Two-volume set sold some 300,000 copies, earning the Grant family nearly $450,000 and the books

also became an American Classic.

Ulysses S. Grant died on July 23,1885 – just as his

Memoirs were being published – at age 63 in his

house in Mount McGregor, New York.

He is buried in New York City.

Grant’s Gravesite

OPCVL Analysis

Origin

Currier & Ives, “The True Issue or ‘That’s What’s the

Matter,’ ” ca. 1864. Huntington Library, Art

Collections, and Botanical Gardens.

Purpose

The purpose of this image is to show that when

there is a conflict between two people, two

countries, or two enemies, there is always a “mediator”. The mediator in any conflict is the

person or entity who calms the battle between

the two conflicting subjects and sometimes even

brings unity to the two enemies. The political

cartoon displays a great depiction of a mediator

through the image of Ulysses S. Grant grabbing

hold of the jackets of Abraham Lincoln and

Jefferson Davis, who are trying to tear the U.S. map in half, saying, “We must preserve the Union

at all hazards!”

Value

This political cartoon is very reliable because of its’

depiction of two conflicting people, who

represent their people’s requests and desires, being held “in line” by a mediator who is trying to

relay a message of, “Look at the big picture!”

Limitation

A great limitation to this political cartoon is that it

doesn’t show the views of the people from the

North or the South. It only depicts three people, Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Ulysses S.

Grant, and their thoughts of separation and

peace being argued between each other.

Bibliography

Biography.com Editors. “Ulysses S. Grant” biography.com. A&E Television Networks, N.D. Web. 20 September 2015

“Ulysses S. Grant” Thewhitehouse.gov. N.p., N.d. Web. 20 September 2015

“Ulysses S. Grant” history.com. N.p., N.d. Web. 20 September 2015

“Grant’s Life and Career” grantstomb.org. N.p., N.d. Web. 20 September 2015

“Ulysses S. Grant General-In-Chief” civilwar.org. N.p., N.d. Web. 20 September 2015

Waugh, Joan. “Ulysses S. Grant: Life Before the Presidency” millercenter.org. N.p., N.d. Web. 20 September 2015

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-history/videos/lincoln-the-fall-of-richmond (video)

“Grant and Lee: The Surrender Correspondence at Appomattox” civilwar.org. N.p., N.d. Web. 20 September 2015

Bibliography

“Ulysses S. Grant Leadership Style”

adviseamerica.com. N.p., N.d. Web 20

September 2015

“Southeastern Historian Writes on Grant’s

Leadership Qualities” newswise.com N.p., N.d.

Web. 20 September 2015

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-

war/american-civil-war-history/videos/lincoln-the-

fall-of-richmond (video)

Bibliography

http://www.biography.com/people/ulysses-s-grant-9318285#early-career

https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/ulyssessgrant

http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/ulysses-s-grant

http://www.grantstomb.org/grantlife.html

http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/ulysses-s-

grant.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

http://millercenter.org/president/biography/grant-life-before-the-presidency

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-

history/videos/lincoln-the-fall-of-richmond

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/appomattox-courthouse/appomattox-

court-house-history/surrender.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

http://www.adviseamerica.com/ulysses-s-grant-leadership-style/

http://www.newswise.com/articles/southeastern-historian-writes-of-grant-s-

leadership-qualities

http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/american-civil-war-

history/videos/lincoln-the-fall-of-richmond