Why Is Ulysses Grant Important

Ulysses S. Grant (named Hiram Ulysses Grant) was born on April 27, 1822. Grant began his military career graduating Westpoint as an average student in 1843. Grant fought in the Mexican-American War along with Robert E. Lee, a man he would be facing on the battlefield nearly fifteen years later. Grant came to an early retirement in 1854 but after struggling monetarily in civilian life he rejoined the Union army in 1861. Grant was the most famous Union General in the Civil War. Grant was elected for president in 1869 and again in 1873.

Grant began the civil war training new recruits and was promoted to the rank of colonel on June 1861. Major General John C. Frémont acclaimed to Grant’s “iron will to win” and promoted him to Commander of the

After winning approval from Major General Halleck Grant embarked with 30,000 troops into Tennessee. The fort was bombarded by ironclads and wooden ships. Before Grant could storm the fort, two naval officers went out to accept the Confederate surrender. Although 3,000 rebels escaped, the battle was very important because it gave the Union an opening to Tennessee and

Grant’s overall goal in the campaign was to capture the Confederate capital, Richmond Virginia. Grant realized that maneuvering over occupied Confederate territory would result in catastrophic losses but it was a risk he was willing, and felt one he needed to take. Grant first encountered Lee in the battle of the wilderness. The terrain included steep hills and immensely thick brush. Chaos reigned supreme in the battle as 26,000 men died in the period of three days. 45 miles out from Richmond Grant and Lee encountered each other again at the battle of Spotsylvania. Lee’s troops dug in while Grant and federal troops attempted to flank them. The battle led to hand to hand combat and added 17,000 men to the death toll. After the skirmishes in North Anna came the last battle of Grant’s campaign. Grant marched his men to the crossing at Jame’s river in Virginia but to no avail. The battle of cold harbor was a loss for Grant after being repelled away. The Battle did not stop the Union army advance into Confederate