Ulysses S. Grant Biography

Ulysses S. Grant was a general during the Civil War and fought under General Zachary Taylor during the Mexican American War. Grant was also the eighteenth president of the United States and a member of the Republican Party. Grant was born in Ohio, Grant went to West Point Academy and he and the rest of the graduates were the first to test the school’s teachings in battle during the Mexican American War. Grant was chosen to command a volunteer regiment during the Civil War and rose through the ranks. Grant played a major role to win the war and attacked Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. He was the one to force the Confederate commander at the fort to an immediate and unconditional surrender; Grant was then promoted to major general. Grant separated the Confederacy by taking Vicksburg, Mississippi. Lincoln then promoted him to General in Chief and soon forced Robert E. Lee to surrender and end the Civil War. During his presidency, Grant was known to have accepted several bribes and attempted to foil the plans pf two rich gold speculators by selling large amounts of gold, which proved horrendous for the economy. When Grant retired and partnered with a financial firm, which became bankrupt. Grant later acquired throat cancer and wrote recollections to pay off his debt; he finished his last page just before he died.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/UlyssesSGrant