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Admitted to Westpoint
A neighbor's son is dismissed from Westpoint, and the 17 year old Ulysses takes his place. Despite not studying rigorously, Grant did well at the academy. Though he did well in school, Grant did not enjoy his military lifestyle and did not plan to have a military career. -
Capture of Mexico City
Grant takes part in capturing Mexico City. Soon after, he is promoted to first lieutenant. His experiences in the Mexican War teach him valuable lessons that he applies later in the Civil War -
Resignation
Grant resigns from the army, partly due to his dislike of military lifestyle. It is also probable that he was forced to resign due to his addiction to alcohol. Grant was now without a job, a house, or a direction. -
Rejoining the Military
Grant learns of the attack on Fort Sumter. He is called to preside over a meeting in Galena and hears the clarion call to defend his country. He is appointed colonel of the 23rd Illinois Infantry. -
Unconditional Surrender
Grant leads an attack on Fort Donelson with a small force of men and ships. Despite the fort's advantageous high ground, Grant's men are able to form a perimeter around it. When the Confederate commanders surrender in the morning, Grant demands a complete and unconditional surrender. This attack earns him the nom de guerre "Unconditional Surrender Grant." -
Campaign Against Vicksburg
The Vicksburg Campaign was one of the most grueling experiences of Grant's career. At the start of the campaign, his camp at Holly Springs was taken by the enemy. He and his men were forced to stay outside of Vicksburg and salvage supplies from the land. After many failed attempts to cross the Yazoo river close to Vicksburg, Grant was forced to land 8 miles away. His eventual victory rose him up past the controversy of the campaign and established him as a national war hero. -
Highest Honor
President Lincoln names Ulysses the commander of all Union armies. With this change in command came a dramatic change in strategy: using the Union's greater population to press onward regardless of casualties. This risky approach was a large factor in the eventual Union victory. -
Surrender at Appomattox
Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. Grant himself says that the conversation was so pleasant that he almost forgot the reason he was there. In a display of great clemency, he let the Confederate soldiers keep all of their personal belongings and return home as long as they laid down their weapons. -
First Term in Office
Grant is elected for office in 1868. He is criticized for his inexperience in government and his cabinet choices. During his first term in office, the most notable event was the passing of the "Ku-Klux Act" that resulted to suspending habeas corpus in certain southern areas. He also was responsible for decreasing tensions with Britain after the Civil War. Despite his accomplishments, he was heavily criticized for corruption in his administration. -
Second Term In Office
Grant's second term in office had a rough start with a financial crisis that rocked the nation. The situation worsened when it was discovered that Grant had accepted "gifts" from groups of people who were most affected by the crisis. Later on, it was revealed that Grant's secretary had helped hide the Whiskey Ring, a conspiracy involving government officials to avoid taxes on whiskey. For these incidents, Grant lost a large amount of popular support and tainted his otherwise successful career.
