Example Essays Home
FAQ
Acceptable Use Policy
Tech Support
LOG IN!
Click HERE for Instant Access
 
This is a free preview of the paper.
Join Now
Log In
  

U.S. Grant

The Rise of “Unconditional Surrender” Grant

He sat opposite the impeccably dressed Lee, in plain clothes and muddy boots. His overall appearance did little to suggest that he was the highest ranking general in the union army. How such an unlikely hero attained this position then managed to outmaneuver the most talented general of both armies, is a question worthy of investigation. Ulysses Simpson Grant’s rise through the ranks of the union army was nothing short of remarkable. The following pages will reveal how Grant achieved that ascent, as well as providing a glimpse into Grant’s character, and war philosophy.

The onset of the war found Grant working as a clerk in his father’s leather shop. Some viewed him as a failure, although it is apparent that Grant never saw himself in that light. A West Point graduate and Mexican War veteran, he entered the union volunteers a colonel. By a political fluke he was promoted to brigadier general, of which his father gave him some practical advice, “Be careful, Ulysses, you’re a general now: it’s a good job, don’t lose it”(Foote, Vol 1 196).

Grant gained notoriety in the western theatre, where most of the fighting was waged for control of arteries of commerce,


Grant’s seventh plan of attack on Vicksburg proved successful. After a six-week siege, 30,000 confederates surrendered on July 4th, 1863. The Mississippi was now controlled by the union, and Grant was promoted to major general of the regular army (Grant, Encarta)

Again, Grant tried to force Lee’s army out in the open where he was confident he could defeat them. He tried to get between Lee and Richmond, and again, as if reading Grant’s mind, Lee beat him to Cold Harbor. Here, behind earthen works, the confederates slaughtered the on-rushing union soldiers. Grant later stated that “I always regretted that last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made”(Grant, Memoirs).

Grant’s plan was simple. Sherman would go after Johnston’s army as he moved from west to east and in effect, cutting the confederacy in half. Grant would go with the Army of the Potomac as they pursued Lee’s Army of Virginia. He would face an adversary like none he had ever faced. Robert E. Lee had become a legend in the north, as well as the south. Veteran northern soldiers wondered aloud what “Bobby” Lee would do to their new general from the west.

At Shiloh, the union army was attacked while it was spread out too thin. Grant commanded one-third of his army known as the Army of Tennessee. Though it was viewed a Union victory, the federals suffered more casualties than the three previous American Wars combined. Of the 24,000 casualties, many were Grant’s (Foote, Vol.1 350). Halleck blamed Grant for poor generalship, and personally took command of the army. Grant retained his position in name only. Rumors surfaced tied to Grant’s past, that he had been drunk and negligent. Halleck never totally trusted Grant, finding him to be rash in judgment. Grant grew impatient. He was a man of action, and Halleck had put a leash around his neck. He considered resigning, but an old friend, General Sherman convinced him otherwise. Pressure was amounting in Washington to take action against Grant. Lincoln quickly put an end to this, stating that he could not be spared, because “he fights”(Grant, Encarta). After Shiloh, Gran!

Some topics in this essay:
Shiloh Gran, Courthouse Grant, Potomac Longstreet, Foote Vol1, Mexican War, Finally Grant, War Grant, Simpson Grant’s, Fort Donelson, Surrender” Grant, lee’s army, cold harbor, fort donelson, union army, grant encarta, army grant, “unconditional surrender” grant, supreme commander, union soldiers, encarta shiloh, lee beat, union soldiers grant, wilderness cold harbor, victory fort donelson,

Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 2065
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)


  

More Essays on U.S. Grant


Professional Papers:
US Involvement in Opium Trade With China1442 words
Proposal for a Matching Grant1523 words
Cheers and Social Roles2416 words
amp39EISENHOWER, THE PRESIDENTampquot1162 words
JW Johnson832 words
Civil War5926 words



Student Written Papers:
Trouble2299 words
Ulysses S. Grant285 words
William Sherman691 words
Federalism in US841 words
The Role of Women in the novel1217 words

Look at even more essays on U.S. Grant
More History Essays

Join Now
(Credit Card)
Join Now
(Online Check)
Join Now
(Phone 1-900)



CUSTOMER SERVICES




Acceptance Essays
Arts
Custom Essays
English
Foreign
History
Miscellaneous
Movies
Music
Novels
People
Politics
Religion
Science
Sports
Technology
Book Notes

 

 


All papers are for research and references purposes only!
Copyright © 2002-2009 ExampleEssays.com DMCA
Saved Papers