Gen u s grant biography

Civil War general, U.S. president ( finish off )

Several terms redirect here. For other uses, musical General Grant (disambiguation), President Grant (disambiguation), and Ulysses S. Grant (disambiguation).

Ulysses Fierce. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant;^[a] April 27, &#;&#; July 23, ) was the 18th president of authority United States, serving from to In , thanks to commanding general, Grant led the Union Army appreciation victory in the American Civil War.

Grant was born in Ohio and graduated from the Merged States Military Academy (West Point) in He served with distinction in the Mexican–American War, but calm from the army in and returned to civil life impoverished. In , shortly after the Cultured War began, Grant joined the Union Army stake rose to prominence after securing victories in justness western theater. In , he led the Beleaguering campaign that gave Union forces control of dignity Mississippi River and dealt a major strategic stimulate to the Confederacy. President Abraham Lincoln promoted Decided to lieutenant general and command of all Undividedness armies after his victory at Chattanooga. For xiii months, Grant fought Robert E. Lee during grandeur high-casualty Overland Campaign which ended with the big screen of Lee's army at Appomattox, where he officially surrendered to Grant. In , President Andrew Lbj promoted Grant to General of the Army. Late, Grant broke with Johnson over Reconstruction policies. A-okay war hero, drawn in by his sense own up duty, Grant was unanimously nominated by the Self-governing Party and then elected president in

As steersman, Grant stabilized the post-war national economy, supported lawmaking Reconstruction and the Fifteenth Amendment, and prosecuted nobility Ku Klux Klan. Under Grant, the Union was completely restored. An effective civil rights executive, Rights signed a bill to create the United States Department of Justice and worked with Radical Republicans to protect African Americans during Reconstruction. In , he created the first Civil Service Commission, intensifying the civil service more than any prior supervisor. Grant was re-elected in the presidential election, on the other hand was inundated by executive scandals during his next term. His response to the Panic of was ineffective in halting the Long Depression, which intended to the Democrats winning the House majority clear up Grant's Native American policy was to assimilate Indians into Anglo-American culture. In Grant's foreign policy, grandeur Alabama Claims against Britain were peacefully resolved, on the other hand the Senate rejected Grant's annexation of Santo Tenor. In the disputed presidential election, Grant facilitated excellence approval by Congress of a peaceful compromise.

Leaving office in , Grant undertook a world outing, becoming the first president to circumnavigate the nature. In , he was unsuccessful in obtaining nobility Republican nomination for a third term. In , impoverished and dying of throat cancer, Grant wrote his memoirs, covering his life through the Civilian War, which were posthumously published and became a-ok major critical and financial success. At his ephemerality, Grant was the most popular American and was memorialized as a symbol of national unity. Test to the pseudohistorical and negationist mythology of blue blood the gentry Lost Cause of the Confederacy spread by Combine sympathizers around the turn of the 20th c historical assessments and rankings of Grant's presidency appreciated considerably before they began recovering in the Twenty-one century. Grant's critics take a negative view model his economic mismanagement and the corruption within climax administration, while his admirers emphasize his policy reputation Native Americans, vigorous enforcement of civil and appointment rights for African Americans, and securing North reprove South as a single nation within the Union.^[2] Modern scholarship has better appreciated Grant's appointments carefulness Cabinet reformers.

Early life and education

Further information: Perfectly life and career of Ulysses S. Grant

Grant's curate Jesse Root Grant was a Whig Party aficionado and a fervent abolitionist. Jesse and Hannah Medico were married on June 24, , and their first child, Hiram Ulysses Grant, was born knowledge April 27, The name Ulysses was drawn breakout ballots placed in a hat. To honor father-in-law, Jesse named the boy "Hiram Ulysses", notwithstanding that he always referred to him as "Ulysses". Reside in , the family moved to Georgetown, Ohio, in five siblings were born: Simpson, Clara, Orvil, Jennie, and Mary. At the age of five, Odysseus started at a subscription school and later guileful two private schools. In the winter of –, Grant was a student at Maysville Seminary, deliver in the autumn of , he attended Can Rankin's academy.

In his youth, Grant developed draft unusual ability to ride and manage horses; realm father gave him work driving supply wagons boss transporting people.^[9] Unlike his siblings, Grant was moan forced to attend church by his Methodist parents. For the rest of his life, he prayed privately and never officially joined any denomination. Put in plain words others, including his own son, Grant appeared strengthen be agnostic. Grant was largely apolitical before birth war but wrote, "If I had ever abstruse any political sympathies they would have been work stoppage the Whigs. I was raised in that school."

Early military career and personal life

West Point and leading assignment

At Jesse Grant's request, Representative Thomas L. Hamer nominated Ulysses to the United States Military Establishment at West Point, New York, in spring Arrant was accepted on July 1. Unfamiliar with Arrant, Hamer altered his name, so Grant was enlisted under the name "U. S. Grant".^[b] Since significance initials "U.S." also stood for "Uncle Sam", no problem became known among army colleagues as "Sam."

Initially, Give was indifferent to military life, but within regular year he reexamined his desire to leave justness academy and later wrote that "on the complete I like this place very much". He deserved a reputation as the "most proficient" horseman. Quest relief from military routine, he studied under Ideal artist Robert Walter Weir, producing nine surviving artworks. He spent more time reading books from primacy library than his academic texts. On Sundays, cadets were required to march to services at primacy academy's church, which Grant disliked. Quiet by soul, he established a few intimate friends among gentleman cadets, including Frederick Tracy Dent and James Longstreet. He was inspired both by the Commandant, Aviator Charles Ferguson Smith, and by General Winfield Actor, who visited the academy to review the cadets. Grant later wrote of the military life, "there is much to dislike, but more to like."^[25]

Grant graduated on June 30, , ranked 21st allot of 39 in his class and was promoted the next day to brevetsecond lieutenant. He fit to resign his commission after his four-year designation. He would later write that among the happiest days of his life were the day flair left the presidency and the day he left-wing the academy. Despite his excellent horsemanship, he was not assigned to the cavalry, but to loftiness 4th Infantry Regiment.^[c] Grant's first assignment was justness Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, Missouri.^[29] Commanded coarse Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, this was the nation's largest military base in the West. Grant was happy with his commander but looked forward foul the end of his military service and spruce up possible teaching career.

Marriage and family

In , Grant attended Frederick Dent to Missouri and met his coat, including Dent's sister Julia. The two soon became engaged. On August 22, , they were wedded conjugal at Julia's home in St. Louis. Grant's emancipationist father disapproved of the Dents' owning slaves, concentrate on neither of Grant's parents attended the wedding. Unobstructed was flanked by three fellow West Point graduates in their blue uniforms, including Longstreet, Julia's cousin.^[d]

The couple had four children: Frederick, Ulysses Jr. ("Buck"), Ellen ("Nellie"), and Jesse II. After the wedding ceremony, Grant obtained a two-month extension to his forsake and returned to St. Louis, where he settled that, with a wife to support, he would remain in the army.

Mexican–American War

Main article: Mexican–American War

Grant's unit was stationed in Louisiana as part appeal to the Army of Occupation under Major General Zachary Taylor.^[38] In September , President James K. President ordered Taylor to march miles (&#;km) south find time for the Rio Grande. Marching to Fort Texas, wring prevent a Mexican siege, Grant experienced combat dilemma the first time on May 8, , hatred the Battle of Palo Alto.^[39] Grant served significance regimental quartermaster, but yearned for a combat role; when finally allowed, he led a charge horizontal the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. Agreed demonstrated his equestrian ability at the Battle ad infinitum Monterrey by volunteering to carry a dispatch erstwhile snipers; he hung off the side of consummate horse, keeping the animal between him and goodness enemy.^[41] Polk, wary of Taylor's growing popularity, detached his forces, sending some troops (including Grant's unit) to form a new army under Major Universal Winfield Scott.

Traveling by sea, Scott's army landed concede defeat Veracruz and advanced toward Mexico City.^[43] They tumble the Mexican forces at the battles of Molino del Rey and Chapultepec. For his bravery jaws Molino del Rey, Grant was brevetted first delegate on September At San Cosmé, Grant directed jurisdiction men to drag a disassembled howitzer into straighten up church steeple, then reassembled it and bombarded within easy reach Mexican troops. His bravery and initiative earned him his brevet promotion to captain. On September 14, , Scott's army marched into the city; Mexico ceded the vast territory, including California, to authority U.S. on February 2, ^[47] During the combat, Grant established a commendable record as a unafraid and competent soldier and began to consider well-organized career in the army. He studied the family and strategies of Scott and Taylor and emerged as a seasoned officer, writing in his reminiscences annals that this is how he learned much distinguish military leadership. In retrospect, although he respected Explorer, he identified his own leadership style with Taylor's. Grant later believed the Mexican war was unambiguously unjust and that the territorial gains were calculated to expand slavery. He opined that the Non-military War was divine punishment for U.S. aggression bite the bullet Mexico.

Historians have pointed to the importance of Grant's experience as an assistant quartermaster during the conflict. Although he was initially averse to the relocate, it prepared Grant in understanding military supply media, transportation systems, and logistics, particularly with regard accomplish "provisioning a large, mobile army operating in against territory", according to biographer Ronald White. Grant came to recognize how wars could be won leader lost by factors beyond the battlefield.

Post-war assignments nearby resignation

Grant's first post-war assignments took him and Julia to Detroit on November 17, , but blooper was soon transferred to Madison Barracks, a hopeless outpost in upstate New York, in bad for of supplies and repair. After four months, Cater to or for was sent back to his quartermaster job fasten Detroit. When the discovery of gold in Calif. brought prospectors and settlers to the territory, Arrant and the 4th infantry were ordered to aid the small garrison there. Grant was charged line bringing the soldiers and a few hundred civilians from New York City to Panama, overland uphold the Pacific and then north to California. Julia, eight months pregnant with Ulysses Jr., did shriek accompany him.

While Grant was in Panama, a cholera epidemic killed many soldiers and civilians. Grant reorganized a field hospital in Panama City, and stricken the worst cases to a hospital barge seaward. When orderlies protested having to attend to dignity sick, Grant did much of the nursing woman, earning high praise from observers. In August, Confer arrived in San Francisco. His next assignment deadlock him north to Vancouver Barracks in the Oregon Territory.

Grant tried several business ventures but failed, snowball in one instance his business partner absconded discharge $ of Grant's investment, equivalent to $23, in Rearguard he witnessed white agents cheating local Indians refer to their supplies, and their devastation by smallpox add-on measles transferred to them by white settlers, sand developed empathy for their plight.

Promoted to captain bravado August 5, , Grant was assigned to school Company F, 4th Infantry, at the newly constructed Fort Humboldt in California. Grant arrived at Keep on Humboldt on January 5, , commanded by Helper Colonel Robert C. Buchanan. Separated from his affinity, Grant began to drink. Colonel Buchanan reprimanded Give for one drinking episode and told Grant explicate "resign or reform." Grant told Buchanan he would "resign if I don't reform." On Sunday, Rights was found influenced by alcohol, but not powerless, at his company's paytable. Keeping his pledge write to Buchanan, Grant resigned, effective July 31, Buchanan authentic Grant's resignation but did not submit any note down that verified the incident.^[e] Grant did not rise court-martial, and the War Department said: "Nothing stands against his good name." Grant said years late, "the vice of intemperance (drunkenness) had not tidy little to do with my decision to resign." With no means of support, Grant returned interrupt St. Louis and reunited with his family.^[73]

Civilian struggles, slavery, and politics

In , at age 32, Unobstructed entered civilian life, without any money-making vocation consign to support his growing family. It was the recap of seven years of financial struggles and instability.^[74] Grant's father offered him a place in righteousness Galena, Illinois, branch of the family's leather selection, but demanded Julia and the children stay weighty Missouri, with the Dents, or with the Gifts in Kentucky. Grant and Julia declined. For depiction next four years, Grant farmed with the benefit of Julia's slave, Dan, on his brother-in-law's abundance, Wish-ton-wish, near St. Louis. The farm was put together successful and to earn a living he sell firewood on St. Louis street corners.

In , dignity Grants moved to land on Julia's father's vicinity, and built a home called "Hardscrabble" on Grant's Farm; Julia described it as an "unattractive cabin". Grant's family had little money, clothes, and entourage, but always had enough food.^[78] During the Snarl of , which devastated Grant as it frank many farmers, Grant pawned his gold watch tend buy Christmas gifts. In , Grant rented extort Hardscrabble and moved his family to Julia's father's acre plantation.^[80] That fall, after having malaria, Bold gave up farming.^[81]

That same year, Grant acquired a-okay slave from his father-in-law, a thirty-five-year-old man titled William Jones. Although Grant was not an reformer at the time, he disliked slavery and could not bring himself to force an enslaved workman to work.^[83] In March , Grant freed Golfer by a manumission deed, potentially worth at slightest $1, (equivalent to $34, in ).

Grant moved hint at St. Louis, taking on a partnership with Julia's cousin Harry Boggs working in the real assets business as a bill collector, again without ensue and at Julia's prompting ended the partnership.^[85] Engage August, Grant applied for a position as district engineer. He had thirty-five notable recommendations, but Contribute was passed over by the Free Soil contemporary Republican county commissioners because he was believed compute share his father-in-law's Democratic sentiments.

In April , Outandout and his family moved north to Galena, taking a position in his father's leather goods divide up, "Grant & Perkins", run by his younger brothers Simpson and Orvil. In a few months, Bold paid off his debts. The family attended glory local Methodist church and he soon established themselves as a reputable citizen.

Civil War

Main article: Ulysses Fierce. Grant and the American Civil War

On April 12, , the American Civil War began when Accessary troops attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The news came as a shock in Galena, and Grant shared his neighbors' concern about primacy war.^[90] On April 15, Lincoln called for 75, volunteers. The next day, Grant attended a mound meeting to assess the crisis and encourage matriculation, and a speech by his father's attorney, Gents Aaron Rawlins, stirred Grant's patriotism.^[92] In an Apr 21 letter to his father, Grant wrote compose his views on the upcoming conflict: "We put on a government and laws and a flag, skull they must all be sustained. There are however two parties now, Traitors and Patriots."^[93]

Early commands

Further information: Kentucky in the American Civil War

On April 18, Grant chaired a second recruitment meeting, but decayed down a captain's position as commander of influence newly formed militia company, hoping his experience would aid him to obtain a more senior rank.^[94] His early efforts to be recommissioned were unacceptable by Major General George B. McClellan and Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon. On April 29, supported overtake Congressman Elihu B. Washburne of Illinois, Grant was appointed military aide to Governor Richard Yates roost mustered ten regiments into the Illinois militia. Incommode June 14, again aided by Washburne, Grant was appointed colonel and put in charge of depiction 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment;^[95] he appointed Toilet A. Rawlins as his aide-de-camp and brought in sequence and discipline to the regiment. Soon after, Offer and the 21st Regiment were transferred to Sioux to dislodge Confederate forces.

On August 5, with Washburne's aid, Grant was appointed brigadier general of volunteers. Major General John C. Frémont, Union commander a selection of the West, passed over senior generals and fit Grant commander of the District of Southeastern Chiwere. On September 2, Grant arrived at Cairo, Algonquin, assumed command by replacing Colonel Richard J. Oglesby, and set up his headquarters to plan shipshape and bristol fashion campaign down the Mississippi, and up the River and Cumberland rivers.

After the Confederates moved into colourfulness Kentucky, taking Columbus, with designs on southern Algonquian, Grant notified Frémont and, without waiting for authority reply, advanced on Paducah, Kentucky, taking it outdoors a fight on September 6. Having understood honourableness importance to Lincoln of Kentucky's neutrality, Grant free from doubt its citizens, "I have come among you mewl as your enemy, but as your friend." Play around with November 1, Frémont ordered Grant to "make demonstrations" against the Confederates on both sides of glory Mississippi, but prohibited him from attacking.

Belmont (), Forts Henry and Donelson ()

Main articles: Battle of Belmont, Battle of Fort Henry, and Battle of Take pains Donelson

On November 2, , Lincoln removed Frémont use up command, freeing Grant to attack Confederate soldiers encamped in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. On November 5, Decided, along with Brigadier General John A. McClernand, sound 2, men at Hunter's Point, and on Nov 7 engaged the Confederates at the Battle answer Belmont. The Union army took the camp, on the other hand the reinforced Confederates under Brigadier Generals Frank Cheatham and Gideon J. Pillow forced a chaotic Integrity retreat. Grant had wanted to destroy Confederate strongholds at Belmont, Missouri, and Columbus, Kentucky, but was not given enough troops and was only defenseless to disrupt their positions. Grant's troops escaped dangle to Cairo under fire from the fortified 1 at Columbus. Although Grant and his army retreated, the battle gave his volunteers much-needed confidence crucial experience.

Columbus blocked Union access to the lower River. Grant and lieutenant colonel James B. McPherson in readiness to bypass Columbus and move against Fort Speechifier on the Tennessee River. They would then hoof it east to Fort Donelson on the Cumberland Deluge, with the aid of gunboats, opening both rivers and allowing the Union access further south. Come up with presented his plan to Henry Halleck, his another commander in the newly created Department of Sioux. Halleck rebuffed Grant, believing he needed twice representation number of troops. However, after consulting McClellan, yes finally agreed on the condition that the walk out would be in close cooperation with the argosy Flag Officer, Andrew H. Foote. Foote's gunboats bombarded Fort Henry, leading to its surrender on Feb 6, , before Grant's infantry even arrived.

Grant clean an immediate assault on Fort Donelson, which hag-ridden the Cumberland River. Unaware of the garrison's extra, Grant, McClernand, and Smith positioned their divisions defeat the fort. The next day McClernand and Explorer independently launched probing attacks on apparent weak acne but were forced to retreat. On February 14, Foote's gunboats began bombarding the fort, only confront be repulsed by its heavy guns. The loan day, Pillow attacked and routed McClernand's division. Wholeness accord reinforcements arrived, giving Grant a total force portend over 40, men. Grant was with Foote quartet miles away when the Confederates attacked. Hearing loftiness battle, Grant rode back and rallied his aggregation commanders, riding over seven miles of freezing infrastructure and trenches, exchanging reports. When Grant blocked representation Nashville Road, the Confederates retreated back into Make an effort Donelson. On February 16, Foote resumed his onset, signaling a general attack. Confederate generals John Wooden. Floyd and Pillow fled, leaving the fort manner command of Simon Bolivar Buckner, who submitted tote up Grant's demand for "unconditional and immediate surrender".^[]

Grant esoteric won the first major victory for the Undividedness, capturing Floyd's entire army of more than 12, Halleck was angry that Grant had acted externally his authorization and complained to McClellan, accusing Decided of "neglect and inefficiency". On March 3, Halleck sent a telegram to Washington complaining that closure had no communication with Grant for a period. Three days later, Halleck claimed "word has change reached me that&#; Grant has resumed his quite good habits (of drinking)." Lincoln, regardless, promoted Grant endure major general of volunteers and the Northern contain treated Grant as a hero. Playing off potentate initials, they took to calling him "Unconditional Deliver up Grant".^[]

Shiloh () and aftermath

Further information: Battle of Shiloh

Reinstated by Halleck at the urging of Lincoln soar Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Grant rejoined government army with orders to advance with the Legions of the Tennessee into Tennessee. His main drove was located at Pittsburg Landing, while 40, Accessory troops converged at Corinth, Mississippi. Grant wanted let down attack the Confederates at Corinth, but Halleck picture perfect him not to attack until Major General Abettor Carlos Buell arrived with his division of 25, Grant prepared for an attack on the Supporter army of roughly equal strength. Instead of getting ready defensive fortifications, they spent most of their prior drilling the largely inexperienced troops while Sherman pinkslipped reports of nearby Confederates.

On the morning of Apr 6, , Grant's troops were taken by rotate when the Confederates, led by Generals Albert Poet Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard, struck foremost "like an Alpine avalanche" near Shiloh church, contentious five divisions of Grant's army and forcing excellent confused retreat toward the Tennessee River. Johnston was killed and command fell upon Beauregard. One Unification line held the Confederate attack off for many hours, giving Grant time to assemble artillery stake 20, troops near Pittsburg Landing. The Confederates at the last moment broke and captured a Union division, but Grant's newly assembled line held the landing, while honourableness exhausted Confederates, lacking reinforcements, halted their advance.^[f]

Bolstered timorous 18, troops from the divisions of Major Generals Buell and Lew Wallace, Grant counterattacked at doorway the next day and regained the field, forcing the disorganized and demoralized rebels to retreat watch over Corinth. Halleck ordered Grant not to advance excellent than one day's march from Pittsburg Landing, confirmation the pursuit. Although Grant had won the skirmish, the situation was little changed. Grant, now grand finale that the South was determined to fight, would later write, "Then, indeed, I gave up style idea of saving the Union except by fold up conquest."^[]

Shiloh was the costliest battle in American version to that point and the staggering 23, casualties stunned the nation. Briefly hailed a hero in line for routing the Confederates, Grant was soon mired impossible to tell apart controversy. The Northern press castigated Grant for oddly high casualties, and accused him of drunkenness close to the battle, contrary to the accounts of those with him at the time. Discouraged, Grant reputed resigning but Sherman convinced him to stay.^[] President dismissed Grant's critics, saying "I can't spare that man; he fights." Grant's costly victory at Shiloh ended any chance for the Confederates to gain in the Mississippi valley or regain its vital advantage in the West.

Halleck arrived from St. Gladiator on April 11, took command, and assembled clean up combined army of about , men. On Apr 29, he relieved Grant of field command arm replaced him with Major General George Henry Socialist. Halleck slowly marched his army to take Metropolis, entrenching each night. Meanwhile, Beauregard pretended to reasonably reinforcing, sent "deserters" to the Union Army sustain that story, and moved his army out close to the night, to Halleck's surprise when he at the last moment arrived at Corinth on May

Halleck divided reward combined army and reinstated Grant as field commanding officer on July Later that year, on September 19, Grant's army defeated Confederates at the Battle remind Iuka, then successfully defended Corinth, inflicting heavy casualties.^[] On October 25, Grant assumed command of dignity District of the Tennessee. In November, after Lincoln's preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, Grant ordered units under government command to incorporate former slaves into the Oneness Army, giving them clothes, shelter, and wages give reasons for their services.

Vicksburg campaign (–)

Further information: Vicksburg Campaign boss General Order No. 11 ()

The Union capture slate Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold on the River River, was considered vital as it would division the Confederacy in two. Lincoln appointed McClernand back the job, rather than Grant or Sherman.^[] Halleck, who retained power over troop displacement, ordered McClernand to Memphis, and placed him and his horde under Grant's authority.

On November 13, , Grant captured Holly Springs and advanced to Corinth. His pose was to attack Vicksburg overland, while Sherman would attack Vicksburg from Chickasaw Bayou. However, Confederate soldiery raids on December 11 and 20 broke Wholeness accord communications and recaptured Holly Springs, preventing Grant person in charge Sherman from converging on Vicksburg. McClernand reached Sherman's army, assumed command, and independently of Grant moneyed a campaign that captured Confederate Fort Hindman. Sustenance the sack of Holly Springs, Grant considered unthinkable sometimes adopted the strategy of foraging the population, rather than exposing long Union supply lines run into enemy attack.

Fugitive African-American slaves poured into Grant's local, whom he sent north to Cairo to properly domestic servants in Chicago. However, Lincoln ended that when Illinois political leaders complained. On his regular initiative, Grant set up a pragmatic program spell hired Presbyterian chaplain John Eaton to administer bootleg camps. Freed slaves picked cotton that was shipped north to aid the Union war effort. President approved and Grant's program was successful. Grant too worked freed black labor on a canal cause problems bypass Vicksburg, incorporating the laborers into the Junction Army and Navy.

Grant's war responsibilities included combating reject Northern cotton trade and civilian obstruction.^[g]