Ulysses S. Grant

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject History - America, grade: 2,5 (B), University of Cologne (History Seminar, Cologne), course: United States History, 1830-77, language: English, abstract: "What General Lee's feelings were I do not know. As he was a man of much dignity, with an impassable face, it was impossible to say whether he felt inwardly glad that the end had finally come, or felt sad over the result, and was too manly to show it. Whatever his feelings, they were entirely concealed from my observation; but my own feelings, which had been quite jubilant on the receipt of his letter, were sad and depressed. I felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, and had suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse. I do not question, however, the sincerity of the great mass of those who were opposed to us."1 Down-hearted, but joyous about victory, maybe even more about a cruel civilwar finally finding its end and respect for his enemy, even if he condemns the cause they fought for, are just a few characteristics already beeing revealed to us. The Man writing this, is Ulysses Hiram Grant, one, if not the most famous general of the northern troops throughout the american civil war. The circumstances surrounding these few sentences written above, describe a moment of major importance for the war, because they represent the downfall, the final collapsing of the confederate resistance and the defeat of another great legend of war,"General E. Lee", at Appomattox in April 9, 1865. Grant obviously is on the peak of success, beeing a national hero, a highly decorated general and only 4 years after the war, candidating and winning the presidential elections. But considering how his career started it was hard to foresee such a splendid development. A resigned Military Officer, incapable as an entrepreneur, and with a tendency of excessive enjoyment of alcoholics, turned into a War-Hero within 4 Years. Born to Jesse Root and Hannah Simpson Grant in Point Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio, on April 27, 1822, he moved along with his family to Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio in 1823. He attended the Maysville Seminary in Maysville, Kentucky From 1836-1837 and the Presbyterian Academy in Ripley Ohio From 1838-1839. [...]
1 Grant, Ulysses S.: Ulysses Grant Memoirs, Chapter 67.