History in 5 Minutes or less

In the years before the Civil War, few would have predicted that Ulysses S. Grant would become the commanding general of the Union Army. By 1860, Grant was a man adrift—his military career had stalled, his business ventures had failed, and he was scraping by on his father’s generosity. After resigning from the army in 1854 under allegations of excessive drinking, Grant found himself struggling as a farmer, real estate agent, and even a bill collector. Nothing worked.

When war broke out in 1861, Grant was selling firewood on the streets of St. Louis just to feed his family. He was not a man who looked destined for greatness. But the war would change everything.

A Second Chance in War

With the Union desperate for experienced officers, Grant volunteered his services. He was initially overlooked—forgotten by the military establishment—but eventually, his persistence paid off. He was given command of an Illinois regiment, and from the moment he stepped in front of his men, something changed. The old fire returned. The quiet, unassuming officer who had once faded into obscurity became a leader.

Grant quickly proved himself in battle, securing key victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in early 1862. It was at Fort Donelson that he earned his famous nickname. When the Confederate general asked for terms of surrender, Grant’s reply was simple and uncompromising:

“No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender.”

The phrase spread like wildfire, and from then on, he was known as “Unconditional Surrender” Grant.

The Bloody Road to Leadership

Grant’s rise was not without setbacks. At the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, he was caught off guard by a ferocious Confederate attack. His army nearly collapsed, and only a determined counterattack saved the day. The battle was a horrific bloodbath—more than 23,000 men lay dead or wounded when the guns finally fell silent.

Critics called for Grant’s removal, accusing him of carelessness and heavy drinking. But President Abraham Lincoln, who saw something in Grant that others did not, famously said:

“I can’t spare this man. He fights.”

And fight he did. Grant continued leading the Union war effort in the West, capturing the vital stronghold of Vicksburg in July 1863. With that victory, the Confederacy was split in two, and Grant was now the Union’s most successful general.

The Call to Lead

By 1864, Lincoln needed a general who could deliver the final blow to the Confederacy. He turned to Grant, promoting him to Lieutenant General, a rank last held by George Washington. With this title came enormous responsibility, he was now in charge of all Union forces.

Grant’s strategy was relentless. Unlike previous generals who hesitated, he pressed forward, hammering Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia with constant attacks. His Overland Campaign was brutal battles like the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor resulted in staggering Union losses. Critics called him a butcher, but Grant understood the grim reality: the Union could replace its fallen soldiers; the Confederacy could not.

As Lee’s forces dwindled, Grant cornered him in April 1865 at Appomattox Court House, where Lee surrendered. The war was over. The once-failed businessman from Illinois had saved the Union.

Legacy of a Fighter

Grant’s journey from failure to greatness is a testament to resilience. He was not a charismatic speaker or a political mastermind, but he had something more valuable determination. He fought when others hesitated. He advanced when others retreated. And in the end, he became the man Lincoln needed to win the war.

Years later, when asked about his success, Grant said simply:

“In every battle, there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten. Then he who continues the attack wins.”

Ulysses S. Grant never stopped attacking. And in doing so, he changed the course of history.