Ulysses S Grant Tells of his Dislike for War and How it Began in the Mexican American and Civil War

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My name is Ulysses S. Grant, and I was the 18th President of the United States. But before that, I was a soldier—a general who helped lead the Union to victory in the Civil War. My life was filled with ups and downs, triumphs and struggles, and I want to share my story with you.

I was born on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio. My real name was Hiram Ulysses Grant, but due to a mistake when I was enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, I became known as Ulysses S. Grant. I never bothered to correct it, and the name stuck. Growing up, I loved horses and was known as an excellent rider. But I wasn’t the best student at West Point—I did well in math and horsemanship but wasn’t particularly interested in military life.

After graduating in 1843, I served in the Mexican-American War under General Zachary Taylor. I didn’t always agree with the war itself, but I fought bravely and learned valuable lessons about leadership. After the war, I was stationed in various places, but military life during peacetime was difficult for me. I missed my wife, Julia, and struggled with loneliness. Eventually, I left the army in 1854 and tried my hand at several jobs—farming, real estate, even working in a leather goods store. None of them worked out, and I was struggling to provide for my family when the Civil War broke out in 1861.

When the war started, I rejoined the army, eager to serve the Union. At first, I was given small commands, but after capturing Fort Donelson in Tennessee, people started paying attention. The victory earned me the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant because I refused to accept anything less than total surrender from the enemy. From there, I led my troops in some of the bloodiest battles of the war—Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga. I believed in relentless warfare, attacking the Confederacy until it had no choice but to surrender.

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln promoted me to Commanding General of the Union Army, and I led the final campaign against General Robert E. Lee. The war dragged on, but I kept pushing forward, knowing that victory was within reach. Finally, on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, Lee surrendered to me, and the Civil War came to an end. Instead of humiliating the defeated Confederates, I treated them with respect, allowing them to return home with their dignity intact. I believed in healing the nation, not punishing the South.

After the war, I became a national hero, and in 1868, I was elected President of the United States. I served two terms, working to rebuild the country and protect the rights of newly freed African Americans. I fought against the Ku Klux Klan and worked to pass laws ensuring civil rights, but my presidency wasn’t perfect. There was a lot of corruption in my administration—not from me, but from those around me. I trusted people too much, and that hurt my reputation.

After leaving office, I traveled the world, but later in life, I faced financial ruin. To provide for my family, I began writing my memoirs, even as I battled throat cancer. I finished them just before I died on July 23, 1885. The book became a best-seller and helped secure my family's future.

Looking back, I see my life as one of perseverance. I failed many times—before the war, in business, even in politics—but I never gave up. I fought for my country when it needed me most, and I worked to reunite a divided nation. If there’s one lesson I want you to take from my story, it’s this: success isn’t about never failing; it’s about getting back up and continuing forward. Thank you for listening.

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