General Ulysses S. Grant was the Union General in the final years of the Civil War and is celebrated and respected throughout America for his service to his country. The revered military historian, Shelby Foote, considers Grant one of the greatest generals in history. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on April 27, 1822. He had what he described as a "quiet" childhood in Georgetown, Ohio, where his family moved a year after his birth. At age 17, Grant's father arranged for him to be sent to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Due to a clerical error he was listed as Ulysses S. Grant, and so, not wanting to be rejected by the school, Grant immediately changed his name. He did not excel as a student at West Point, earning average grades and receiving demerits for unkempt clothing and tardiness, and ultimately decided that the academy "had no appeal" for him. He intended to resign from the army after serving his four years of mandatory service. Despite all this, when the Civil War broke out, Grant jumped at the opportunity to serve his country again. It grants the possession of skills such as courage, determination, perseverance, and the ability to be flexible under immense stress, helping him win the war. His successes can be attributed to his aptitude for understanding the politics of this war and how it affects the battle; his ability to remain calm and fearless under intense pressure and stress; his affirmation and determination in his struggles; his thoughts regarding his motivation; and his ability to make quick, informed choices in the heat of battle. Grant's hard-won victory at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in May 1863 was a strategic masterpiece, and although his previous victories placed him in the public eye, his triumph at Vicksburg truly cemented his reputation as a capable and effective leader. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Grant's ability to grasp the political nature of modern warfare and see how the state truly affects warfare is an example of his importance and brilliance as a general. He is known as one of the first great modern generals because he recognized that warfare was changing and that he too would have to change the way he fought. In Source A, a certain Williams is quoted as saying that Grant's "common sense allowed him to see beyond mere theory" and that it was his "ability to grasp the political nature of modern warfare" that truly identified him as " the first of the great modern generals.” This source shows the contemporary thinking of the union general and how this led him to make decisions that, although they may have seemed crazy at the time, paid off in the long run as a general through his ability to remain calm and courageous even under extreme pressure and stress These skills helped Grant to be greatly recognized as a man who fought well and achieved numerous victories, the concerns of other generals during the Civil War did not affect on Grant and did not impede his ability to draw up detailed strategic plans and implement them in the midst of battle. This is seen in Source B where Grant is described as having "courage at four in the morning" and could be "cool as a cucumber." ” while being told that the enemy was near. This source is significant because it highlights Grant's ability to make quick, informed decisions about things while remaining composed, paying little attention to the situation at handfacing at that moment. He was known for both remaining effective in outrageous conditions and remaining focused in intense battles. Shelby Foote also mentions another of Grant's admirable qualities; who never cried in front of his troops and who remained strong and stoic in their presence. This strength of character was admired and sought after among generals. These qualities are important in military leadership because without them, generals may be more likely to make decisions based on what is happening at that very moment rather than considering the results of that choice. Having the blend of these qualities, Grant could clearly plan and implement strategies in the midst of the war, which led him to be respected by the president of the time for his achievements and widely perceived as an extremely persuasive and critical leader and general in the Civil War . Grant's determination and tenacity in his battles were some of his most renowned qualities. His tenacity and perseverance were some of the most sought after qualities in a general as it meant that he would be willing to go all the way to achieve his goal. President Theodore Roosevelt evaluates the quality of Grant's tactics in Source C stating that it was his "hard blows" and "constant hammering" that finally broke through the lines. This source is important because it highlights Grant's annoyance with the old idea that one should reason with the enemy. In his first major successes as a general in the Civil War, the taking of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry in 1862, he won the nickname "Grant of Unconditional Surrender." His “contempt for weak souls who wished to negotiate with the enemy while the enemy was still capable of resisting” was the spark behind his famous demand for unconditional surrender. This attribute was one that many talked about in the years following the Civil War and identifies Grant as the most important and admired general of the Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant was seen as one of the best generals due to his focus on his motivation. His passion and determination to achieve his goal is what made him most successful. In addition to his ethics, when he decided to make his choices he had the general population around him as his main concern, needing only the best for his men and his nation. And so his cause became the desire to do what was "just, constitutional, within the law and in the best interest of all the people", as seen in source D. Source D focuses specifically on his desire to make the wisest decision those individuals around him. He had unwavering faith in what he was doing and needed to do it to the best of his ability. He clearly states that his defeats were not intent, but rather his "errors in judgment". He had the best objectives and interests of his troops at the top of his list of priorities as he coordinated the army. This focus by Grant allowed him to be very effective as it allowed him to meet the needs of his troops and not have his particular plan for victory at the top of the list. As he sought victory for his beliefs, as the superior of his men, he made choices that would benefit his troops. This determination for his cause, and promise to make the wisest decision of any other person, is what made him such an adored general. With his cause at the center of his choices, he became the best general of the Civil War. The Battle and Siege of Vicksburg once again highlighted Grant's ability to make quick, well-informed decisions.