„What General Lee's feelings were I do not know. As he was a man of much
dignity, with an impassable face, it was impossible to say whether he felt
inwardly glad that the end had finally come, or felt sad over the result, and was
too manly to show it. Whatever his feelings, they were entirely concealed from
my observation; but my own feelings, which had been quite jubilant on the
receipt of his letter, were sad and depressed. I felt like anything rather than
rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, and had
suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was, I believe, one of the worst
for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse. I
do not question, however, the sincerity of the great mass of those who were
opposed to us.”1
Down-hearted, but joyous about victory, maybe even more about a cruel
civilwar finally finding its end and respect for his enemy, even if he condemns
the cause they fought for, are just a few characteristics already beeing revealed
to us. The Man writing this, is Ulysses Hiram Grant, one, if not the most
famous general of the northern troops throughout the american civil war. The
circumstances surrounding these few sentences written above, describe a
moment of major importance for the war, because they represent the downfall,
the final collapsing of the confederate resistance and the defeat of another great
legend of war,”General E. Lee”, at Appomattox in April 9, 1865.
Grant obviously is on the peak of success, beeing a national hero, a highly
decorated general and only 4 years after the war, candidating and winning the
presidential elections. But considering how his career started it was hard to
foresee such a splendid development. A resigned Military Officer, incapable as
an entrepreneur, and with a tendency of excessive enjoyment of alcoholics,
turned into a War-Hero within 4 Years.
Born to Jesse Root and Hannah Simpson Grant in Point Pleasant, Clermont
County, Ohio, on April 27, 1822, he moved along with his family to
Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio in 1823. He attended the Maysville
Seminary in Maysville, Kentucky From 1836-1837 and the Presbyterian
Academy in Ripley Ohio From 1838-1839. [...]
1 Grant, Ulysses S.: Ulysses Grant Memoirs, Chapter 67.
Table of Contents
A. Introduction
B. Main Part
I. Grants Battles During the Civil War
Introduction
1. The War In The West, April 1861 – March 1864
2. The Virginia Campaigns, April 1864 – April 1865
II. Who was Grant – a Portrait
1. During military tasks
2. Personality and Character
C. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the military career and personal development of Ulysses S. Grant during the American Civil War. It aims to bridge the gap between his early struggles and his eventual rise as a national war hero, analyzing his unique leadership style and the controversies surrounding his character.
- Military strategy and key campaigns of Ulysses S. Grant.
- Evaluation of Grant's leadership during the Western and Virginia campaigns.
- The contrast between Grant’s personal reputation and his strategic decisions.
- Analysis of Grant’s psychological resilience and approach to command.
- Historical perspectives on Grant as both a military icon and a complex human being.
Excerpt from the Book
A. Introduction
„What General Lee's feelings were I do not know. As he was a man of much dignity, with an impassable face, it was impossible to say whether he felt inwardly glad that the end had finally come, or felt sad over the result, and was too manly to show it. Whatever his feelings, they were entirely concealed from my observation; but my own feelings, which had been quite jubilant on the receipt of his letter, were sad and depressed. I felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, and had suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse. I do not question, however, the sincerity of the great mass of those who were opposed to us.”1
Down-hearted, but joyous about victory, maybe even more about a cruel civilwar finally finding its end and respect for his enemy, even if he condemns the cause they fought for, are just a few characteristics already beeing revealed to us. The Man writing this, is Ulysses Hiram Grant, one, if not the most famous general of the northern troops throughout the american civil war.
Summary of Chapters
A. Introduction: Introduces Ulysses S. Grant as a central figure of the American Civil War and outlines the biographical and historical scope of the research.
B. Main Part: Details Grant’s military progression through the Western and Virginia campaigns and provides a portrait of his personality and leadership traits.
I. Grants Battles During the Civil War: Analyzes the strategic shifts and major engagements that defined Grant's command in the Western theater and the subsequent Virginia Campaigns.
1. The War In The West, April 1861 – March 1864: Discusses Grant’s initial military successes and challenges in battles like Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga.
2. The Virginia Campaigns, April 1864 – April 1865: Examines the final, high-stakes military maneuvers against Lee that culminated in the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.
II. Who was Grant – a Portrait: Explores the multifaceted identity of Grant, balancing his military reputation with his personal vulnerabilities and habits.
1. During military tasks: Highlights Grant's departure from traditional military orthodoxy in favor of direct, all-out warfare.
2. Personality and Character: Debunks historical caricatures by examining the nuanced reality of Grant's private life, his honesty, and his struggles with alcohol.
C. Conclusion: Summarizes Grant’s legacy, arguing that he cannot be reduced to a stereotype and emphasizes his resilience as his defining characteristic.
Keywords
Ulysses S. Grant, American Civil War, Military Strategy, Virginia Campaign, Vicksburg, Appomattox, Leadership, Generalship, Union Army, Confederate States, Historical Biography, Resilience, Cold Harbor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the life and military career of Ulysses S. Grant, specifically analyzing how he transitioned from a struggling civilian into the most famous general of the Union army.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The themes include strategic military analysis, the evolution of Grant’s generalship, and a critical examination of his personality, including the controversies surrounding his character.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The objective is to provide a balanced overview of Grant’s military performance and to humanize his historical figure, moving beyond simple stereotypes like "the butcher" or "the drunkard."
Which scientific methodology is used?
The paper utilizes a biographical and historical analysis approach, relying on primary sources such as Grant’s own memoirs and various secondary historical literature.
What is discussed in the main part of the work?
The main part is divided into an analysis of his battles during the Civil War, specifically the Western and Virginia campaigns, and a portrait chapter that discusses his leadership philosophy and character traits.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include American Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant, military strategy, Union leadership, historical biography, and personality analysis.
How does the author interpret Grant's "hammering" strategy in Virginia?
The author views this strategy as a necessary, albeit costly, approach to exhausting the Confederate forces and breaking their supply lines, demonstrating Grant’s understanding of modern warfare.
How does the author address the criticism of Grant's alcohol consumption?
The author argues that while Grant struggled with liquor, particularly during periods of isolation from his family, his drinking was sporadic during the war and has been significantly exaggerated by historians.
- Quote paper
- Nils Urban (Author), 2003, Ulysses S. Grant, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/15832
