Custom essay on A Comparison of the Civil War Generals Grant and Lee

Speaking about the Civil War, it would be essential to focus on the two outstanding figures, who played very significant role in the history of the Civil War and in the United States’ history. Generals Ulysses Grant and Robert Lee could be referred to as the most influential personalities of this period in American history. They were the ones, who made the contemporary history of the United States of America possible and opened definitely new page in the formation of American society, when the slavery was abolished. From the very beginning it would be important to focus on the fact that both Generals represented the opposing parties and headed the armies of the Northern States (General Grant) and the Southern States (General Lee). This essay would examine both generals’, during war and post war activity defining who was the most successful and whose impact on the history of the United States was the most significant. Comparing these historical personalities we would define the reasons of their success in military and in politics and how it impacted the life of the both.custom essay
General Grant: The Way to Power and Success
Ulysses S. Grant (Hiram Ulysses Grant) was born on April 27, 1822. His parents were of Scottish origin and were quite poor. He finished the West Point Academy and also known as one of the most noticeable figures of the 19th century U. S. history. It should be noted that military career of General Grant started immediately after he had finished West Point Military Academy. He took an active part in the military campaign during the Mexican War. He started Mexican War at Texas border with Mexico and was one of the most active participants there. In 1854 he abandoned military career, hence the Civil War in the United States changed his intention to become a farmer.
When the Civil War broke out General Grant was in Galena, Illinois. There was formed a volunteers’ military troop, which took into account Grant’s assistance in gathering the volunteers and military experience. They chose General to command them. According to the direction of the Illinois State governor, Grant organized 21 regiments of volunteers and was appointed to command one of them. Very soon he actually became the commanding officer of all the volunteers’ troops located in the North Missourian area. On July 31, 1861 Grant was appointed to a brigadier general, to command the federal volunteers, by President Lincoln. The following events showed General Grant as an outstanding military leader of the Federal Army. He demonstrated brilliant strategic thinking and planning. General Grant reflected his talents in the beginning of 1862, when Fort Henry, and Fort Donelson were captured. Grant became very popular among the nation and even his terms became widely used: “Grant’s surrender terms were popular throughout the nation, “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender.” and he was known from then on as “Unconditional Surrender” Grant. President Abraham Lincoln promoted Grant to major general of volunteers” . After these victories Grant was appointed by President Lincoln to major general of volunteers.
It is not actually surprising that after such brilliant victories General Grant became a national hero, he was appointed to more and more influential positions and solved the most difficult strategic tasks. In July 1863 after the long lasting siege, Grant made Vicksburg defenders surrender and in December 1863 the United States Congress stated to create a gold metal to honor General Grant and voted a gratitude to him and his army. In 2nd March Congress proclaimed new for the American Army rank – General Lieutenant of the Army. It is not surprising that immediately President Lincoln promoted it for General Grant, who after that was appointed to be the main military leader of the Federal Army in their campaign against the Confederates.
The critics and investigators of Grant’s career consider that the main and the most important quality of General Grant as a military leader was his unwillingness to take into consideration what the enemy could do with him . Grant was a brilliant strategist and understood that the resources of the Southern states are limited. That is why he decided to start long exhausting campaign in order to make Sothern Generals give up. His contemporaries mentioned that the war was turned into the constant battlefield and if the one strike was not successful another was immediately held .
In April 1865, after long lasting, exhausting battles General Grant made General Lee to surrender with all the military forces he commanded. General Grant was the one who ended this outrageous internal conflict. In 1866 Grant was provided a specially created new rank General of the Army of the United States, which moved to General Sherman, when Grant became the President of the United States.
Being among the most popular figures in the United States at that period it is actually not surprising that the candidate Grant won the Presidential Elections. He is the one who was fighting for the right things, for the abolition of slavery and equality. He was the one who ended exhausting outrageous internal war, which took thousands of Americans’ lives. Understanding the role of General Grant as historical and military leader it should be noted that his career was really brilliant. General Grant could be called one of the most successful leaders not only because of his career success, but because of the fact he ended the internal conflict within the nation, giving equal rights to the Afro-Americans. He could be called one of the most outstanding persons, who really desired to provide peace in the United States of America. The slogan General Grant used during his Presidency Campaign in 1868 proves that: “Let us have peace”. It perfectly illustrates Grants’ intention to provide peaceful relationship between all the States of the country. It is not surprising that this slogan alongside with the policies of his cabinet assured his success and popularity as a National hero.