2. Ulysses S. Grant 1869-1877

3. Birthplace 1822 – Ohio

4. Son of an Ohio tanner Was working in his father’s leather store in Galena, Illinois when Civil War started

5. Career Attended West Point against his will Wanted to be a math teacher and not a soldier Mexican War – fought under Zachary Taylor

6. “I can’t spare this man – he fights.” Appointed to take command of an unruly volunteer regiment Sept. 1861 – became brigadier general Sought to win control of MS valley Feb 1862 – took Fort Henry and Fort Donelson “No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.” Promoted to major general April 1862 – Battle of Shiloh Sought to win Vicksburg to cut the Confederacy in two Also broke Confederate hold on Chattanooga March 1864 – Appointed as General-in-Chief Directed Sherman to drive through the South While he and the Army of the Potomac pinned down Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia April 9, 1865 – Appomattox Court House, Lee surrendered Grant wrote magnanimous terms of surrender that would prevent treason trials

7. 1868 Presidential candidate, because Grant was a symbol of Union victory He sided with the Radical Republicans after quarreling with President Johnson

8. Bewildered “a puzzled pathos, as of a man with a problem before him of which he does not understand the terms.” Grant provided neither vigor nor reform Allowed Radical Reconstruction to run its course in the South

9. President Grant Brought part of his Army staff to the White House Associated with Jay Gould and James Fisk Realized their scheme to corner the market in gold Authorized the Secretary of Treasury to sell enough gold to wreck their plans

10. Campaign for 1872 Election Attacked by Liberal Republican reformers called them “narrow-headed men”, their eyes so close together that “they can look out of the same gimlet hole without winking”

11. After presidency, Became a partner in a financial firm which went bankrupt Learned that he had cancer of the throat Started writing recollections to pay off debts and provide for his family; memoir brought in $450,000 Died in 1885