Ulysses S. Grant (originally Hiram Ulysses Grant) joined the military in May of 1839. During his first four years in service he served in the Mexican American War as a Quartermaster, serving under General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott. While in service, Grant observed effective military tactics and leadership skills. He later used these tactics and skills to command a disfunctional 21st Illinois Volunteer regiment and was soon ready for battle by September of 1861. After taking Fort Henry and Fort Donelson from the Confederacy, Grant was promoted to Major General of volunteers, a title that allowed him to fully lead Union troops to victory. …show more content…
Grant did not believe that by taking the Confederates’ land was going to stop the rebellion. Grant knew that the only way to stop the confederates was to take out Robert E. Lee’s Army. Grant relentlessly tracked down Lee through the forests of Virginia, all the while inflicting death upon the Confederates who served in Lee’s army. Finally, on April 9, 1865 Lee’s army surrendered and both parties signed an agreement, ending the Civil War. It is quite interesting to think that Ulysses S. Grant felt such concern for the future of the nation that he went out of his way to end such a historical feud. Several years following the Civil war Grant was promoted to full General and oversaw the military actions taken during