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Ulysses was born in Point Pleasant, OH. His original name was Hiram.
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In 1839, Ulysses was appointed to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
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In 1843, Grant graduated from West Point. He was immediately placed as a brevet second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in St. Louis, Mo.
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In 1845, the word brevet was taken off his title. He officially became a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
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He served under General Zachary Taylor in the Mexican-American War.
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In 1848 after the war, Ulysses married his fiancé Julia Boggs. The two would have their first son, Frederick Dent Grant, in 1850. They would be stationed in Sackets Harbor, New York.
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Ulysses resigned from his post in 1854. Over the next few years his family would move around. He would work on farms and eventually in his father's leather store.
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He was appointed as a colonel and was given command of the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
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After showing great leadership, he was appointed as the brigadier general of volunteers.
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He was given command of the District of Southeast Missouri troops.
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Grant proved that he was capable of winning important battles. His troops were successful and won the Battle of Belmont.
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In 1862, Grant's forces were involved in many battles. In February of that year, he forced the Confederate forces to surrender at both Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. These wins would give him a new nickname. The public began to know him as Unconditional Surrender Grant.
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His forces won the Battle of Shiloh, but many lives were lost. These mass casualties caused many to call for his resignation.
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His men won the important Battle of Vicksburg. His men forced General Pemberton of the Confederate Army to surrender despite having 30,000 men. This victory was a major turning point in the war. It made it to wear Grant was considered a master strategist, and leader of the Union Army.
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On March 9th, 1864, President Lincoln honored Grant by making him the Lieutenant General and General in Chief of the U.S. Army. This new post put Grant in charge of all U.S. Army forces.
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On April 9th, 1865, General Lee surrenders to Grant at the Appomattox Court House. This officially ended the U.S. Civil War.
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President Johnson appointed Grant to the position of Secretary of War.
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In May of 1868, Grant was selected as the nominee for the Republican Party. He won election on November 3rd.
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On March 4th, 1869, Grant was inaugurated as the 18th president of the United States.
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He served as president for eight years. His presidency mainly focused on the reconstruction efforts and healing the country. He passed anti-discrimination bills such as the Enforcement act 1871. He also created Yellowstone National Park in 1872. In 1875 he signed a bill into law that gave citizens equal access to public accommodations. It is important to note that his administration is considered to be one that was full of corruption.
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Ulysses S. Grant passed away on July 23, 1885. He died from throat cancer. He was 63 years old.