Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant (1822 - 1885) was the Commanding General of the Union Army prior to becoming President. A West Point graduate and veteran of the Mexican-American War, Grant defeated Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army at Appomattox, effectively ending the Civil War. This work brings together President Grant's eight State of the Union Addresses delivered between 1869 and 1876.

The generalship and presidency of Ulysses S. Grant has undergone a re-evaluation in recent years, with historians viewing both more favorably than in the past. Here in his own words is Grant in retirement, on a trip around the world, discussing the men and events of his incredible careers with John Russell Young of the "New York Herald." Young was invited to make the two year tour with the Grants. He records the former president talking about everything from politics to people he'd known. But the best of the conversations are on the men and battles of the Civil War. Grant provides his thoughts on Lincoln, Sherman, Sheridan, Lee, Thomas, Longstreet, Jackson and more. He discusses the siege of Vicksburg, the Battle of Shiloh, and the surrender at Appomattox. This is not the Grant of his highly-regarded autobiography. He is more relaxed, more casual, and talks more of people than events. This is a Ulysses S. Grant you probably haven't seen before. John Russell Young later distinguished himself as United States minister to China. Every memoir of the American Civil War provides us with another view of the catastrophe that changed the country forever.

"Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant" was written in two volumes by Grant and is presented here in two volumes. This book is volume one. Below is his preface. "Man proposes and God disposes." There are but few important events in the affairs of men brought about by their own choice. Although frequently urged by friends to write my memoirs I had determined never to do so, nor to write anything for publication. At the age of nearly sixty-two I received an injury from a fall, which con-fined me closely to the house while it did not ap-parently affect my general health. This made study a pleasant pastime. Shortly after, the rascality of a business partner developed itself by the announce-ment of a failure. This was followed soon after by universal depression of all securities, which seemed to threaten the extinction of a good part of the in-come still retained, and for which I am indebted to the kindly act of friends. At this juncture the editor of the Century Magazine asked me to write a few articles for him. I consented for the money it gave me; for at that moment I was living upon borrowed money. The work I found congenial, and I determined to continue it. The event 1s an important one for me, for good or evil; I hope for the former. In preparing these volumes for the public, I have entered upon the task with the sincere desire to avoid doing injustice to any one, whether on the National or Confederate side, other than the un-avoidable in justice of not making mention of ten where special mention is due. There must be many errors of omission in this work, because the subject is too large to be treated of in two volumes in such way as to do justice to all the officers and men en-gaged. There were thousands of instances, during the rebellion, of individual, company, regimental and brigade deeds of heroism which deserve special men-ion and are not here alluded to. The troops en-gaged in them will have to look to the detailed reports of their individual commanders for the full history of those deeds. The first volume, as well as a portion of the second, was written before I had reason to suppose I was in a critical condition of health. Later I was reduced almost to the point of death, and it became impossible for me to attend to anything for weeks. I have, however, somewhat regained . my strength, and am able, often, to devote as many hours a day as a person should devote to such work. I would have more hope of satisfying the expectation of the public if I could have allowed myself more time. I have used my best efforts, with the aid of my eldest son, F. D. Grant, assisted by his brothers. to verify from the records every statement of fact given. The com-ments are my own, and show how I saw the matters treated of whether others saw them in the same light or not. With these remarks I present these volumes to the public, asking no favor but hoping they will meet the approval of the reader. U. S. GRANT

This is an account of the decisive Vicksburg Campaign written by the Union general who planned and orchestrated it: Ulysses S. Grant. At the start of 1863, Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia had been frustrating the Union in the Eastern theater for several months, but the situation in the West was completely different. The Confederates had lost control of several important states throughout 1862, and after New Orleans was taken by the Union, the North controlled almost all of the Mississippi River, which Confederate general James Longstreet called "the lungs of the Confederacy". By taking control of that vital river, the North would virtually cut the Confederacy in two, putting the South in a dire situation. The only domino left to fall was the stronghold of Vicksburg, and both sides knew it. The Union Army of the Tennessee, led by Ulysses S. Grant, would spend months trying to encircle the army and eventually force John Pemberton's Confederate army to surrender. Grant eventually succeeded on July 4, 1863, but since it came a day after the climactic finish of the Battle of Gettysburg, Vicksburg was (and still is) frequently overlooked as one of the turning points of the Civil War. In fact, had the Confederate's military leadership listened to Longstreet, who advocated detaching soldiers from Lee's army to head west and help the Confederates deal with Grant or Rosecrans in that theater, the Battle of Gettysburg might never have happened. While many read about the siege of Vicksburg in the summer of 1863, as well as the desperate straits the Confederate soldiers and Vicksburg residents found themselves in, Grant's initial attempts to advance towards Vicksburg met with several miserable failures, and it took several months just to get to the point where the Union forces could start a siege. First, Grant's supply base at Holly Springs was captured, and then an assault launched by Union General Sherman at Chickasaw Bayou was easily repulsed by Confederate forces, with serious Union casualties resulting. Grant then attempted to have his men build canals north and west of the city to facilitate transportation, which included grueling work and disease in the bayous. On April 30, 1863, Grant finally launched the successful campaign against Vicksburg, marching down the western side of the Mississippi River while the navy covered his movements. He then crossed the river south of Vicksburg and quickly took Port Gibson on May 1, Grand Gulf on May 3, and Raymond on May 12. Realizing Vicksburg was the objective, the Confederate forces under the command of Pemberton gathered in that vicinity, but instead of going directly for Vicksburg, Grant took the state capital of Jackson instead, effectively isolating Vicksburg. Pemberton's garrison now had broken communication and supply lines. With Grant in command, his forces won a couple of battles outside Vicksburg at Champion Hill and Big Black River on May 16 and 17, forcing Pemberton's men into Vicksburg and completely enveloping it. When two frontal assaults were easily repulsed, Grant and his men settled into a nearly two month long siege that ultimately won the campaign. It was the largest troop surrender during the entire Civil War, and Vicksburg's residents were so embittered that popular folklore maintained Vicksburg didn't celebrate Independence Day for a generation.

""Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant"" is a two-volume autobiography written by the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. The first volume covers Grant's early life, his military career, and his experiences during the American Civil War, including his role as commander of the Union Army. The book also includes Grant's reflections on the political and social issues of his time, as well as his personal views on his contemporaries and historical figures. The memoirs were written in the last years of Grant's life, as he battled terminal throat cancer, and were intended to provide financial security for his family after his death. The book is widely regarded as a masterpiece of American literature and a valuable historical document. This Is A New Release Of The Original 1885 Edition. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant is a two-volume autobiography written by the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. The second volume, which is the focus of this description, covers Grant's experiences during the American Civil War, including his appointment as commander of the Union Army and his successful campaigns against Confederate forces. The book also delves into Grant's personal life, including his relationships with his family and his struggles with alcoholism. Overall, Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant V2 provides a detailed and personal account of one of the most important periods in American history, as well as insights into the life of one of its most celebrated figures. This Is A New Release Of The Original 1885 Edition. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.