Grant was born on April 22, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio. His father Jesse Root Grant had no military connections whatsoever. Jesse Grant ran a tannery business. However, Ulysses had no interest in following his father's footsteps which forced his father to send Ulysses to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Unlike his infamous counterpart General Robert E. Lee, Grant was no standout at the academy. He was relatively average in terms of grades and was constantly criticized for his poor conduct by his superiors. As for his class rank he ranked at twenty one out of the thirty nine cadets. As a result, Grant was enthused when he graduated from the academy. Military life had left a poor taste in his mouth and he planned to resign from the army after the mandatory four years. Despite his negative attitude towards the military something changed during the Mexican American War.
During the Mexican American War Grant served under General Zachary Taylor and took note of their commanding abilities. On top of that, Grant developed a hatred for slavery and thought that this war was being fought in order to spread slavery. But Grant still led a unit during battle and was credited for being brave under heavy fire. Unfortunately, after the war drinking problems and poor conduct started plaguing him and forced him to resign from the Army. He returned to his father's tannery business with two brothers. But war was looming and Grant would get his chance to redeem himself.
After Fort Sumter Grant ran back to the Army, fueled by his patriotism, to reenlist in the Army. Unfortunately, his request was denied but with the help of the Illinois governor he was appointed general of a volunteer regiment. Within some time he had the regiment in fighting condition and they fought in minor battles such as the Battle for Fort Donelson and Henry. These were significant wins for the Union in the early stages of the war. Due to Grant's obvious military prowess he was promoted to the major general of volunteer units. Grant was yet to face a large test but he proved himself in the Battle of Shiloh which was a Union victory. Be that as it may top Union generals didn't approve of the enormous casualty rates and demoted Grant. Yet again Grant persevered and was reappointed general. Shortly after Grant secured a decisive victory by outmaneuvering the Confederates and trapping them at Vicksburg and destroying them at Gettysburg. Moral of the Union rose significantly after a disastrous defeat for the Confederates turning the tide of the war. After this point it was hopeless for the Confederates as Grant was able to utilize the North's vast resources to hit the Confederates at all sides and force them to surrender. He was kind enough to let the Confederates walk with their horses and even gave them food. Grant went on to help reorganize the war torn country. Due to his accomplishments during the war Grant was elected as the 18th president of the United States and went on to serve two terms in office. Grant retired after this and toured the world as a hero.
To conclude, Grant is an American hero because he demonstrated what a true American is all about. Despite all his setbacks throughout his life he bounced back, through handwork, and became very successful. He played a crucial role in the Civil War and the fight for democracy. Additionally, Grant had character because he allowed southern soldiers to walk away after their defeat. All of these qualities illustrate why Grant is one of the greatest generals in US history and an American hero.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/ulysses-s-grant/
https://www.biography.com/us-president/ulysses-s-grant
https://www.azquotes.com/author/5814-Ulysses_S_Grant
It is very interesting to see how at the very beginning of Grant's military career, he was not planning to serve past his mandatory years in the army, let alone plan to become a great, well known military leader. It also intrigued me to read how despite battling alcoholism and falling in and out of his military career, Grant was able to eventually prevail as a remarkable leader of the Union army and become partially responsible for the overall fate of America following the Civil War. This makes me wonder what the outcome of the Civil War would have been if Grant had never stepped in and used his brilliant strategies to bring the Union army to success.
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