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What is Ulysses S. Grant most known for?
Ulysses S. Grant is most known for being the lead general of the
Union troops during the American Civil War. His fame as a war hero
propelled him into the White House where his presidency was marred
by scandals.
Growing Up
Grant grew up in Ohio the son of a tanner. He didn't want to be a
tanner like his father and spent his time on the farm where he
became an excellent horseman. His father suggested that he attend
the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. At first Grant didn't like the
idea as he had no interest in becoming a soldier, however, he
realized this was his chance at a college education and eventually
decided to go.
After graduating from West Point, Grant became an officer in the
army. During the Mexican War (1846-1848) he served under General
Zachary Taylor. Later he had various posts on the west coast. Grant
was lonely for his wife and family, however, and took to drinking. He
eventually left the army to return home and open a general store.
The Civil War
With the start of the Civil War, Grant reentered the military. He started
out with the Illinois militia and soon moved up the ranks in the army to
general. In 1862 Grant had his first major victory when he captured
Fort Donelson in Tennessee. He became known as Unconditional
Surrender (U.S.) Grant when he told the Confederate commanders
"No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender".
Grant's victory at Fort Donelson was the first major victory for the
Union during the Civil War. He then led his army to victory at the city
of Vicksburg, a Confederate stronghold. This victory helped to split
the South's forces in two and gave the Union considerable
momentum. He became a famous war hero and in 1864 President
Abraham Lincoln made him General-in-Chief of the entire Union
Army.
Grant then led the Union Army against Robert E. Lee in Virginia.
They battled for over a year, with Grant eventually defeating Lee and
the Confederate Army. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House,
Virginia on April 9, 1865. In an effort to restore the Union, Grant
offered very generous terms of surrender allowing confederate troops
to return home after surrendering their weapons.
Ulysses S. Grant's Presidency
Grant's popularity soared after the Civil War, and he easily won the
presidential election in 1868. He served two terms as president and
even ran for a third, which he didn't win. Unfortunately, his presidency
was marked by a series of scandals. Many of the people in his
administration were crooks who stole from the government. In 1873,
financial speculation led to a panic and the stock market crashed.
Many people lost their jobs during this time.
Despite all the scandals, Grant's presidency did have some positive
accomplishments including:
• He helped to establish the National Park System including the first
National Park, Yellowstone.
• Grant fought for the civil rights of both African Americans and
Native Americans. He pushed for the passage of the 15th
Amendment, giving the right of all men to vote regardless of
race, color, or whether they were former slaves. He also signed
a bill that allowed persons of African descent to become U.S.
citizens.
• He signed a bill to create the Department of Justice.
• His administration negotiated the Treaty of Washington with Great
Britain, settling disputes over the Civil War as well as the
northern borders.
Post Presidency
Grant ran for a third term in office, but did not win. He decided to go
on a tour of the world. He spent over two years traveling the world
and meeting with important world leaders. He met with Queen
Victoria in England, Prince Bismarck in Germany, the emperor of
Japan, and the Pope at the Vatican. He also visited Russia, China,
Egypt, and the Holy Land.
Upon returning from his trip, he decided to run for president again in
1880, however, he was unsuccessful. He spent the end of his days
writing his own autobiography.
How did he die?
Grant died of throat cancer in 1885, probably as a result of smoking
several cigars a day for much of his life.
Fun Facts about Ulysses S. Grant
• Grant's real name was Hiram Ulysses Grant, but it was entered
incorrectly as Ulysses S. Grant when he went to West Point.
Since he was embarrassed by his real initials (H.U.G), he didn't
tell anyone and ended up going by Ulysses S. Grant for the rest
of his life.
• According to Grant, the "S" was just an initial and didn't stand for
anything. Some said it stood for Simpson, his mother's maiden
name.
• When he was at West Point, his fellow Cadets called him Sam
because U.S. could have stood for Uncle Sam.
• When word got out that he was smoking a cigar during his famous
attack on Fort Donelson, people sent him thousands of cigars
to celebrate his victory.
• Grant was invited to attend the play at the Ford's Theatre the night
President Lincoln was assassinated. He turned down the invite
and later regretted that he wasn't there to help protect Lincoln.
• It was the famous author Mark Twain who suggested that Grant
write an autobiography.