...Ulysses S Grant: An American Hero Shreya Joshi Social Studies Mr. Nieskens May 27, 2014 In the 1800’s, the United States was a growing and thriving nation. In the South, many plantations were producing mass amounts of cotton. To keep up with the cotton demand, plantation owners bought more slaves to grow and harvest the cotton. The cotton and slave industry’s blossomed because of Eli Whitney’s cotton gin (Cayton et al 274). By 1850, the country had conflicting views because slavery became a growing issue. In fact, the main reason for the Union separating was over slavery being illegal or not. The Union broke up under Lincoln’s presidency when South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860 (371). The upper South seceded as well and founded a new country called The Confederate States of America, or the Confederacy. The war begins after they secede. Born Hiram Ulysses Grant, he led the Union to victory in the Civil War and wrote a heroic legacy. Grant fought in the Mexican and Civil wars. At the age of 15, he applied to West Point Military Academy and was barely accepted (Rickarby 6). Due to his background with working with horses, he was an excellent cavalryman. While in the army, he was promoted quickly. For a short period of time, Grant quit the army, yet regretted quickly. He failed at everything he tried before rejoining the army, proving he was meant for the army (Simon 6). He had written an incredible military history, which led him to have a successful...
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...Born on April 27, 1822 as Hiram Ulysses Grant, this once a timid, shy boy soon became one of the bravest and most influential of all the U.S. leaders. The Civil War began when the Union North and the Confederate South had different ideas of how to run the country. Grant’s fiercely patriotic attitude and leadership skills proved to be vital for the Union’s victory in the Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant was born on April 27, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio with the birth name of Hiram Ulysses Grant (Ulysses S. Grant Biography). Grant’s family owned a tannery to process animal skin into high quality leather. Grant loathed the work and swore that he would acquire a much better job when he was to become an adult. Unlike his father, Grant was shy, timid, and often bullied. He was regularly called “Useless Grant” by bullies. Grant describes his childhood as “mostly uneventful” (Ulysses S. Grant Biography). At the age of 17, Grant’s father sent him off to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon his arrival, an error showed that he was listed as “Ulysses S. Grant,” instead of Hiram Ulysses Grant. In fear of being rejected by the school, Grant changed his...
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...Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant on April, 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, near the mouth of the Big Indian Creek at the Ohio River. His famous moniker, "U.S. Grant," came after he joined the military (Bowery). He was entrusted with command of all U.S. armies in 1864, and relentlessly pursued the enemy during the Civil War. In 1869, at age 46, Grant became the youngest president in the United States. Grant was an American hero in the eyes of Americans because of his leadership in the Civil War, and leadership in our country. When the Civil War began in 1861, Ulysses S. Grant jumped at the chance to volunteer for military service in the Union army. His first command was as the colonel of the 21st Illinois Infantry, but he was quickly promoted to brigadier general in July 1861, and in September was given command of the District of Southeast Missouri (Waugh). His 1862 triumphs at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in western Tennessee won him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender” Grant, and placed him before the public eye (Bowery). He...
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...The Civil War lasting from April 12, 1861 – May 9, 1865, was a war specifically designed to unite the states of America. Although, looking at the Civil War from the future, it may seem like such an easy task to accomplish. But, in all actuality it was far from simple. America owes respect to those noteworthy people who took part in the Civil War, and even those who opposed of it. Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, Robert E. Lee, and Clara Barton are few of the important leaders, who played important roles during the civil war. It is appropriate that we begin with Abraham Lincoln, the man who essentially commenced the Civil War with his presidency in 1861. Abraham Lincoln ideology about not the abolition of slavery,...
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...Battle of Vicksburg The United States Civil War separated our country, the war had Americans fighting Americans, brother against brother. During the Civil War over 600,000 Soldiers gave their lives for their side of the war from 1861-1865. More Soldiers gave their lives during their Civil War than any one war or conflict combined. Historians believe the American Civil War was fought over pressures and differences that coming to a head during the country’s early history. This friction built up over time and came down to five basic differences basically. Some of those differences were economic and social differences concerning the North and the South, the Northern financial budget was based more on factories and industry. Simply put the North was moving away from agriculture life, thus moving away from slavery. However, the Southern states moved from other crops to primarily cotton crops with the invention of the cotton gin. At the same time they increased the number of plantations which in turn made it vitally important for a greater need for cheap labor, i.e. slaves. Thus, the Southern economy turned out to be a one crop economy, dependent on cotton and consequently on slavery. The next thing that played part in the beginning of the Civil War was the state rights versus federal rights. The North was pushing for more federal government laws and regulation, but the South wanted laws and regulation, that were handle at the state level with less federal involvement. Last, but...
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...Synopsis It was one of the more significant battles. General Ulysses S. Grant of Tennessee was trying to conquer a Confederate fortress in Vicksburg, Mississippi. All previous attempts had been blocked. He began a new campaign to take Vicksburg under John Pemberton; he conducted a surprise blow nearby Vicksburg, at Bruinsburg. General Grant moved his forces inward to push back Joseph E. Johnston’s forces by Jackson, Mississippi. After he cleared that area, he started for Vicksburg. A few victories won at Champion Hill and Big Black Bridge weakened Pemberton’s army, so he had no choice but to retreat to Vicksburg. General Grant attacked Vicksburg until July 4, 1863, when Pemberton surrendered. This battle won the Mississippi River for the Union,...
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...The Civil War had the largest death toll for any American war, nearly 620,000. The causes of the Civil War was caused by what is to be believed four main things, know as the four S's. The Civil War needed every solider to end it but some were truly amazing like the two presidents and the two generals of the warring sides. The Confederate and Union army had many battles throughout the war and the tide of war changed with each battle but some greatly changed the outcomes. The war's end came slower than it was thought to come and many great things came out of it like the end to slavery and the reconstruction of America. The Civil War commenced in order with the causes, the people who were a big impact, battles, and the results. There were many...
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...Page 1 Ulysses S. Grant (2002) Program Transcript Part One Narrator: October 23, 1863. Chattanooga, Tennessee. After a grueling four-day journey, General Ulysses S. Grant arrived at Union headquarters. He had injured his leg and had to be helped off his horse. Once again, he was dogged by rumors that he'd been drinking. He listened silently as his officers described a bleak situation. The Union Army was surrounded. Men and horses faced starvation. A Confederate victory seemed inevitable. Grant thanked his men, and began to write his orders. Max Byrd, Novelist: You see a lot of Grant in just that act of writing. The concentration and the determination. He never looked up. He never hesitated. He never seemed to search for a word. Geoffrey Perr et, Biographer: By the time he'd finished, he was surrounded by pieces of, of paper that he'd covered with his, his very even hand writing. In effect, he had fought the battle already in his o wn mind. Narrator: Before the war, Grant had been a nobody, a failure as a farmer and a businessman. As Commanding General, he was called an incompetent, a butcher. But he would win every campaign he ever fought. His plain, Midwestern w ays would captivate the American people. David W. Blight, Historian: There was something about that element of the American dream of that rags to riches story. He had experienced humiliation and he had understood failure. And I suspect a lot of Americans could see themselves in him. Donald Miller, Historian: Grant...
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...The Siege of Vicksburg SGT Thomas Crow, SGT Randy Keaton, SGT Jared Martin, & SGT Robert W. Shadburn ALC Class 001-16 The Siege of Vicksburg. The Siege of Vicksburg took place in, and around, Vicksburg, Mississippi, from May 18th, 1863 until July 4th of that same year; it ended military action during the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. MG Ulysses S. Grant was the Union General charged with taking the town of Vicksburg from Confederate LTG John C. Pemberton. Both men had numerous weapon systems and units at their disposal. During this campaign the Union and Confederate armies lost an enormous amount of soldiers with an estimated casualty count of 19,233 men combined—Maj. Gen. Grant rightfully worried of prolonged siege operations, as he knew the cost would be high (Winschel, 2004). The Vicksburg Campaign was one of the greatest Union victories of the Civil War. It effectively split the Confederacy in half. Once General Grant surrounded the town of Vicksburg, he instructed his Artillery Units to fire on the Confederates for hours on end in order to soften defenses before the Infantry was to advance (Winschel, 2004). It can therefore be concluded that the Union’s effective use of Field Artillery units and Navy Artillery not only paved the way for Infantry units to attack,...
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...There were over 237 battles in the Civil War, with close to one thousand generals on each side. Although there were many generals in the Civil War, two battle for the title of greatest general, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. These two stand out because of their success, with fighting style, military experiences before the war, and victories in battle. Lee's success at the beginning of the war helped boost the southern morale, while Grant's success down the stretch helped the north pull off the victory. These two men were completely opposites in their experience before the war. Robert E. Lee graduated at the top of the class, whereas Grant graduated twenty-first out of thirty-nine in his class. After graduating, both men went into service during the Mexican-American War. Grant got to the rank of captain, under the command of Zachary Taylor. On the other hand, Lee was only an advisor to General Winfield Scott on battle strategies. Lee's reputation for battle strategies carried over into the Civil War. Both men started out the Civil War under commanding officers; however Lee would be the first to become the General-In-Chief in 1861. Grant would not take up this post until 1864, the last year of the war. This shows the strategic masterpieces of both generals. Both men were...
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...The Civil War was a remarkable moment in history. This war went from 1861 to 1865, between the North and South of the United States. It started because the North wanted a unified country, while the South wanted state right’s, not a federal government. The war continued because the South wanted slaves, unlike the North. This war is a time in history that will never be forgotten. The North and South had always been drifting apart because of the major differences in civilization and economy (Guelzo). The main factor being slavery. Since the South was so agricultural, they thought that making slaves do their work was acceptable. They had many big farms and needed workers, so instead of working themselves, they made slaves do their work for them. The North had their own agricultural resources and did not...
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...Lee is now highly regarded as a skilled tactician and arguably the second-most influential man in the Civil War. With the Civil War approaching, on April 18, 1861, Secretary of State Francis Blair offered Lee control of all United States troops. Though any other man would have accepted immediately, Lee was in a tougher situation: he had to choose between the country he had served for thirty-two years or his home and family in the South. After pondering his decision, Lee decided to resign from the United States Army, stating that he could not raise his hand against those he loved. Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia on June 1, 1862. This was the main army of the Confederacy. It was not until three years later that he officially assumed command of all Confederate troops. However, this was a mere formality as he had been the main leader throughout the course of the war. In his first major battle of the Civil War, Lee’s army demolished the troops of John Pope at the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas). However, at Antietam, Lee lost one-third of his troops to George McClellan, who wielded a paper that contained Lee’s battle plans. Lee then proceeded to avenge his loss by winning at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The victory at Chancellorsville was a bittersweet one; Stonewall Jackson, Lee’s right-hand man, was killed. These victories emboldened Lee and gave him the idea to begin an offensive. In July of 1863, Lee again lost a third of...
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...fact, Lee is now highly regarded as a skilled tactician and arguably the second-most influential man in the Civil War. With the Civil War approaching, on April 18, 1861, Secretary of State Francis Blair offered Lee control of all United States troops. Though any other man would have accepted immediately, Lee was in a tougher situation: he had to choose between the country he had served for thirty-two years or his home and family in the South. After pondering his decision, Lee decided to resign from the United States Army, stating that he could not raise his hand against those he loved. Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia on June 1, 1862. This was the main army of the Confederacy. It was not until three years later that he officially assumed command of all Confederate troops. However, this was a mere formality as he had been the main leader throughout the course of the war. In his first major battle of the Civil War, Lee’s army demolished the troops of John Pope at the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas). However, at Antietam, Lee lost one-third of his troops to George McClellan, who wielded a paper that contained Lee’s battle plans. Lee then proceeded to avenge his loss by winning at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The victory at Chancellorsville was a bittersweet one; Stonewall Jackson, Lee’s right-hand man, was killed. These victories emboldened Lee and gave him the idea to begin an offensive. In July of 1863, Lee again lost a third of his...
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...North during the Civil War than Robert E. Lee. As the fourth child of Colonel Henry Lee and Ann Hill Carter, Lee was born on January 19,1807. Lee's father, also known as "Light-Horse Harry," had been a cavalry leader during the Revolutionary War, he had also served as governor of Virginia. Despite being part of the elite lifestyle, the Lee family suffered hardships with money because of his father. With not having the money to attend college, Lee entered the Military Academy at West Point. While there, he quickly rose in the ranks and graduated second in the class of 1829....
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...“the key”, to ensuring victory and the assurance of commerce to world markets. Where the march of Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 1863 to July 1863, would prove compelling is that Grant would out generalize Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton and eventually start the fall of Richmond and the Confederacy of Jefferson Davis. That the campaign was a central ingredient for success according to President Abraham Lincoln and would divide the Confederacy while, giving the Union complete control of the Mississippi transportation route. With the capture of Vicksburg, the Union led by risky, yet boisterous attempts of Grant far more outmaneuvered the indecisive and ill-equipped decisions of Pemberton; and the stronghold of the Union over the Confederacy. At this time in the Civil War, the Mississippi river was the most important trade and supply route in the United States. It was the livelihood of the country and with it held the greatest economic feature to trade in the country and the world for agricultural products and their export and intercontinental transfer. It was the last stranglehold the Confederacy held on the Union and the prevention of military supply and aid to the Deep South, commerce of the middle and northwestern states to the world and a waning support of the war in enthusiasm and economic demand. President Abraham Lincoln said of Vicksburg and the importance of its seizure, “See what a lot of land these fellows hold, and Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought...
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