Ulysses S. Grant

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Ulysses S Grant was an iconic figure in the Civil War and was well known for his astounding feats throughout the war.(World book Advanced) While Ulysses S. Grant is the name he is most commonly known as, his real name is Hiram Ulysses Grant and the S. stands for nothing.(Ulysses S. Grant Homepage) Ulysses graduated from West Point with high marks in Horsemanship and Mathematics, but he had poor grades in classes like French. Grant fell in love with his roommate's sister Julia Dent, but sadly he was called to serve at the start of the Mexican War. Once the war was over he was soon positioned in the West, away from his family. When Ulysses left the army, he tried, and failed, at several walks of life, like farming, before the Civil War.
When the war began, Ulysses S Grant was thirty-nine years old and knew he had to fight due to his distaste for slavery and opposition towards succession.(PBS) He began drilling a company in Galena and soon was recommended for a promotion by an Illinois congressman known as Elhu B. Washburne. Because of this, Lincoln promoted Grant to Brigadier. At this, he appointed John A. Rawlins, a young lawyer, to his staff. Rawlins soon became a close friend to the upcoming Ulysses S. Grant. Later at the permission of his commanding general, General Henry W. Helleck, he marched upon Fort Henry. Most Confederates retreated at Grant’s approach, and with the aid of a Union Gunboat, he was able to successfully secure the fort with ease. After this success, Ulysses S. Grant took it upon himself to lay siege to Fort Donelson. The Confederate commander of the fort, asked for terms of surrender, and received the reply, “No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.” Upon this, the Confeder...

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