Essay about Ulysses S. Grant

It was well believed until Jackson’s forces began unloading rounds on the Union army stopping McDowell’s forces from advancing, holding the line like “a stone wall.” As the new Union recruits witnessed battle for the first time and felt the lack of preparation, they were quick to retreat back to Washington DC. The Southern victory and the tens of thousands of lives lost proved to the Union that this war was not going to be easily won.

The Confederates had 782 soldiers killed and wounded and 6000 captured soldiers. In addition to the soldiers, it can be said that Confederacy economically lost the Civil War when New Orleans was captured by the Union. The Confederates had lost their most important port city, leaving them without control of the lower Mississippi. David Porter even explained that, “The most important event of the War of the Rebellion, with the exception of the fall of Richmond, was the capture of New Orleans and the forts Jackson and St. Philip, guarding the approach to that city.” While the Civil War was filled with uncertainty, it was battles like the one that led to the capture of New Orleans that heavily suggested that the Union would be preserved at the end of the

After fighting their way southward from Illinois and northward from Gulf of Mexico. Until by late summer of 1862, only Vicksburg and Port Hudson appeared to be major constraints to the Union of the two posts, Vicksburg was by far the strongest and most important. Setting high over looking a bend in the river, protected by artillery and dangerous swamps. So far the city had defined Union efforts to force into submission. (Williams 1)

After the defeat at Fort Sumter there were some northerners that tried to get Lincoln to let the south go. When deciding weather to take Fort Sumter by bombardment, one of Davis's ideas was a bargain with Washington , maybe purchase, for the peaceful turnover of the fort and other federal holding in the seceded states. Thinking Confederate independence was inescapable, Davis prayed that they would slow down long enough to recognize that they could save millions of dollars and many lives by stopping this. He believed that the honor of the Confederate States of America (CSA) would be reestablished if everyone seen Davis challenge Lincoln successfully. While dealing with all of this he still was ready to take Fort Sumter. Davis just wanted peace and to be left alone. The South was fighting a defensive war, which gave it inherent advantage.

The Confederate army surrendered at the battle of Vicksburg on July 4th 1863. They were sad and ashamed after prolonged violent attacks. This was the end of one of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war. The sad loss of Pemberton's army and the stronghold in Vicksburg on the mighty Mississippi River was very effective in splitting the Confederacy in half.

As you can tell from these quotes, the battle and control of Vicksburg was very important to the winning of the civil war. The

The Battle of Fredericksburg is remembered as the Confederate Army’s most one-sided victory in its campaign against the Union Forces of the North. It was also the first battle to occur shortly after President Abraham Lincoln had delivered his “Emancipation Proclamation” and the President was hard pressed for a victory to use to bolster public support for it. General George McClellan fresh of his victory against of General Robert E. Lee’s forces at Antietam was being pressured by the President to

The battle of Gettysburg and Vicksburg in 1863 were the most significant battles of the civil war. These battles changed the tide of the war greatly by crippling the Confederate forces while providing hope for the Union. While both battles were won by completely different strategies both contributed greatly to the end result of the “Terms of Military Convention” which was the souths defeat agreement. These battles defended the north, reduced the fighting power of the south and pushed the remaining confederate’s forces back.

It can be debated where exactly the Union was able to claim its victory during the War Between the States. Most people could narrow the turning point in the war to Gettysburg and Vicksburg. The battle of Gettysburg was a very tragic loss for the South, but the battle at Vicksburg was the largest victory for the North. In this lone battle, the Union created an economic problem for the South. The Union Army’s troops, helped by gunboats and river ironclads took control over the Mississippi River. This action virtually split the Confederate territory in two while also seizing control over the South 's main artery of transport. When Vicksburg fell to Union troops on July 4, 1863, the Confederacy lost its last chance to control the Mississippi River.

Ulysses S. Grant was an American general and 18th president of the United States. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on April 27, 1822, the son of Hannah Simpson and Jesse Grant, the owner of a tannery. Taken to nearby Georgetown at the age of one, he was educated in local and boarding schools. In 1839, under the name of Ulysses Simpson instead of his original Hiram Ulysses, he was appointed to West Point. Graduating 21st in a class of 39 in 1843, he was assigned to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. There he met Julia Dent, a local planter's daughter, whom he married after the Mexican War.

Vicksburg was so important to the Union because of two things: One, it was the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi; Two, if taken, the forces in the North could not use the river to contact the forces in the South and vice versa. It was important to the Confederacy because of location, it held the Confederacy together. Confederate president Jefferson Davis, when asked about the Siege of Vicksburg, said, “Vicksburg is the nailhead that holds the South’s two halves together.”(Bacharach)The city of Vicksburg was the beginning of the end for the Confederacy,whomever controlled the Mississippi, controlled the

Vicksburg was an important position because it was the last confederate stronghold on the mississippi river. Once the union took control they decided what went from the west coast to the east coast. Lincoln in one of his speeches claimed that vicksburg was the key to winning the war. An important reason for the union gaining Vicksburg was on how it split the confederacy. After General pemberton lost the battle of vicksburg's the south's army didn't trust him to be in a leadership position. Once the confederacy was split

The confederate army had gotten weaker and weaker from four years of war. Lincoln had been searching and searching for the perfect Union Army general to get this awful battle over and done with. After trying and trying, Lincoln discovered Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant.

After suffering a major loss at the battle of Shiloh, general Ulysses S. Grant of the Union army led his army south to Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vicksburg was a major Confederate stronghold that held a large supply of supplies essential to war efforts. The Union controlled a small strip of land beside the Mississippi river, right between Vicksburg and Port Hudson. Taking the stronghold would be vital for the Union to claim control over the Mississippi river, which would be a massive strategic advantage.

He had initial success, however, he quickly lost control of his troops and was forced to retreat. In March, 1864, Lincoln promoted Grant to lieutenant general and gave him command of all Union armies. The final campaign came upon him in May, 1864, starting with the Battle of the Wilderness. Grant was able to successfully maneuver Lee into Petersburg Va. after some bloody encounters. From there a string of attacks against the confederacy began on June 16. While Grant kept Lee at Petersburg, he had Sherman ravage the South, capturing Atlanta, then marching across Georgia and capturing Savannah. Grant then had Sherman march his army up through the North and South Carolina and into Virginia. On March 29, 1865, Grant commenced the final attack. He destroyed the Confederate lines at Petersburg, there by pressuring the retreating Confederates. Grant accepted Lee’s surrender on April 9 at the Appomattox Courthouse, laying down his open surrender terms that spoke to his humanity and sensitivity. Grant was deeply affected and troubled by Lincoln’s assassination; however he trusted that president Andrew Johnson would be able to restore nation in the most equal way he could. Believing the Grant returned to his duties of regrouping his army, dealing with some French troops in Mexico, setting up groups to battle the Indians, and basically dodging politics altogether, he was very dedicated to his Military duties.