Castagna Famous American Collection
Ulysses Simpson Grant (1822 - 1885) Won appointment to West Point in 1839. He was an able mathematician and the best horseman in his class. After graduation and the War with Mexico, he was commissioned 1st lieutenant. In 1853 he made Captain, but resigned to work in his father's leather goods business in Galena, Il. He offered his services in the Civil War as a Colonel, but the War Department didn't act on the appointment. Grant persisted and marched his 21st Illinois Regiment into Kentucky and seized it. He learned from his mistakes and had dogged persistence and determination. Grant maneuvered the Confederates into Vicksburg, and after a brief siege, the garrison of 30,000; surrendered and Lincoln promoted him to Major General. He lost battles, but kept pressing until Lee surrendered. |