General Ulysses S. Grant was the union general during the final years of the Civil War and is celebrated and respected throughout America for his service to the country. Revered military historian Shelby Foote considers Grant one of the greatest generals in history. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on April 27, 1822. He had what he described as an "uneventful" childhood in Georgetown, Ohio, where his family moved a year after his birth. When he was 17, Grant's father arranged for him to be sent to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Due to a clerical error, he was listed as Ulysses S. Grant and, not wanting to be rejected from school, Grant changed his name on the spot. He did not excel as a student at West Point, earning average grades and receiving demerits for sloppy dress and tardiness, and ultimately decided that the academy "had no charm" for him. He planned to resign from the army after serving his four years of mandatory service. Despite all this, when the Civil War broke out, Grant jumped at the chance to serve his country again. Possession of skills such as courage, determination, perseverance, and the ability to be flexible under immense stress helped him win the war. His successes can be attributed to his ability to understand the politics of this war and how they influence the battle; his ability to remain calm and fearless under intense pressure and stress; his affirmation and determination in his fights; his thoughts regarding his motivation; and his ability to make informed and rapid choices in the heat of battle. Grant's hard-won victory at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in May 1863 was a strategic masterpiece, and although his earlier victories had placed him in the public eye, his triumph at Vicksburg truly cemented his reputation a competent and effective leader. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayGrant's ability to grasp the political nature of modern warfare and see how the state actually affects war is an example of his importance and his genius as a general. He is known as one of the first great modern generals because he recognized that warfare was changing and that he too would have to change the way he fought. In Source A, a Mr. Williams is quoted as saying that "Grant's common sense allowed him to see beyond mere theory" and that it was his "ability to grasp the political nature of modern warfare." which truly identifies him as "the first of the great modern generals." This source shows the union general's contemporary thinking and how it led him to make decisions that, although they must have seemed crazy at the time, paid off in the long run. Grant demonstrates his worth as a general through his ability to remain calm and courageous under extreme pressure and stress. These abilities helped Grant be recognized as a man who fought well and won many victories. There is no doubt that the concerns of other generals during the Civil War did not affect Grant or hinder his ability to develop detailed strategic plans and implement them in the midst of battle. This is seen in Source B where Grant is described as having "four o'clock courage" and could be as "cool as a cucumber" when told the enemy was close. This source is important because it highlights Grant's ability to make quick, informed decisions while remaining calm, without worryingof the situation he was facing at the time. He was known both for remaining effective in outrageous conditions and for remaining focused in intense battles. Shelby Foote also mentions another of Grant's admirable qualities: that he never cried in front of his troops and remained strong and stoic in their presence. This strength of character was admired and sought after among generals. These qualities are important in military leadership because without them, generals might be more inclined to make decisions based on what is happening at the moment rather than considering the results of such a choice. By possessing a blend of these qualities, Grant could clearly plan and implement strategies in the midst of a war, earning him respect for his successes from the president of the day and widely seen as a leader and an extremely convincing and critical general in the military field. Civil war. Grant's determination and doggedness in battle were among his most renowned qualities. His perseverance and perseverance were among the most sought-after qualities in a general, as it meant that he would be willing to go to any lengths to achieve his goal. President Theodore Roosevelt assesses the quality of Grant's tactics in Source C by saying that it was his "hard blows" and "continuous hammering" that finally broke the lines. This source is important because it highlights Grant's annoyance with the old idea of ​​reasoning with the enemy. During his first major successes as a general during the Civil War, the capture of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry in 1862, he earned the nickname "The Grant of Unconditional Surrender." His “contempt for weak souls who wished to negotiate with the enemy while the enemy was still capable of resisting” was the spark behind his famous demand for unconditional surrender. This attribute was discussed by many in the years following the Civil War and identifies Grant as the most important and admired general of the Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant has been considered one of the best generals for his attention to motivation. His passion and determination to achieve his goal is what made him most successful. Along with his own philosophy, he had the general population around him as his main concern when deciding his choices, needing only the best for his men and his nation. And so his cause became the desire to do what was "just, constitutional, within the law, and in the best interests of all the people," as Source D shows. Source D focuses particularly on his desire to make the wisest decision in those individuals around him. He had unwavering confidence in what he did and had to do it to the best of his ability. He clearly states that his defeats were not the result of intention, but rather his own "errors of judgment." He placed the best goals and interests of his troops at the top of his priority list as he coordinated the army. This focus of Grant's allowed him to be very effective because it allowed him to meet the demands of his troops and not have his own plan for victory at the top of his list. While aiming for victory according to his own beliefs, as the superior of his men, he made choices that would benefit his troops. This determination for his cause and this promise to make the wisest decision of any other person is what made him such a beloved general. By placing his cause at the center of his choices, he became the best general of the Civil War. The battle and siege of Vicksburg once again.