American Ulysses: The Rise of a Forgotten American Hero

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Once again, Grant’s humble nature prevails in his domestic policy. His political agenda is evident, but as he did in his inaugural address, does not place blame on the Southerners or anyone. He promotes the education of those who do not agree with him to peacefully influence the public opinions of those on both sides of the previously schismed country. He uses his position of power not out of abuse, but out of acceptance and humility. It is not Grant’s wish to make everyone have the exact same opinions, or to lead the country as a general would lead his willing men. Instead, Grant looks to guide the country into a path of equality, and uses education and other non-violent and non-combative ways to reach his goals. This level of humanity was a rare quality to have in a president, and because of Grant’s nature, became his lasting legacy.

Looking at these three primary documents, it is evident that Grant was an important historical figure and had a lasting impression in history. But what warranted his biography? Apart from his title of Lieutenant General in the Civil War, and his successful two terms as president, what makes Grant worthy of a biography to the magnitude of White’s is his almost anti-hero, meteoric rise in life. He used his foundations as the son of a tanner, and his opportunity to attend West Point, to propel his career forward, throughout the Mexican American War and the Civil War. But even throughout his successes, he experienced hardships because of his sense of humanity. For example, he resigned from the army when placed in California during the Gold Rush because of the lack of morals and his yearning to be with his wife, Julia, and his four children. Grant was a paradox of a bulldog, ruthless, successful general who was also a romantic, who enjoyed plays and sending Julia flowers from Texas when he was stationed near San Antonio. The two facets of his personality created a man who raised in the ranks in life all the way to the presidency, and most definitely warranted a biography.

Overall, Ronald C. White’s biography was a fluent and easy read, despite its over six-hundred pages in length. Among its strengths, White’s most successful literary tactic was the summary after every chapter, which assessed Grant’s character and the lasting implications of his actions and the actions of those around him. Each chapter used about a page to summarize the major themes discussed within the chapter, and also looked into Grant’s character. Often, quotes were included from others, describing how, despite Grant’s average and almost unimpressive appearance, his subtle eloquence and quiet determination led him to success. Another major success of White’s biography was his use of other primary sources, mainly maps and portraits, to help visualize the cast of characters and the battles. Primarily the Civil War battles, maps were used frequently to clearly show Union/Confederate advances and retreats, fortifications and major battles. This helped the reader further visualize Grant’s successes and failures, and gave a better impression on his life.

Though there are few weaknesses in White’s biography, one would be his fast-paced description of certain battles and conflicts, primarily in the Civil War. He introduces many people in a very short amount of time, and in moments, it was very difficult to remember who was a Union soldier and who was Confederate. White expected a particularly strong level of knowledge over the Civil War from his readers, and for those who are not necessarily experts over it, he moves too quickly. Another fault of White’s is his glossing over the battles himself. White wrote more about the bigger picture, which at times worked to his benefit, but he didn’t focus as much on the details that would better visualize the Civil War and its atrocities. At times, he would insert quotes from soldiers that helped with the visualization process, but at other times, he would simply state Grant’s movements in a certain battle, which made it harder for the reader to be as emotionally invested.

Throughout Grant’s life, primarily his military career, there were several turning points for him, which opened up the windows for him to become the president and leader he is remembered for being. First, his victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, and especially his negotiations, demonstrated his vigor in the army as well as his calm demeanor as an advantage. By winning these two decisive battles, Grant opened up the land of Confederate-controlled Tennessee, and started to become a household name in the north. Apart from this, Grant demonstrated his humble way of leading. Instead of being a “unilateral leader,” Grant chose to lead by uniting his forces of Smith, Wallace and McClernand into “an able team.” Grant also set his precedence of “Unconditional Surrender,” as the chapter is named. Instead of setting up negotiations with Buckner, Grant demanded that they keep the fort, having defeated “the men, the guns.” This was a turning point because it not only placed Grant in the limelight of the north for the first time in the Civil War, but demonstrated his precedent of offensive, team attacks.

Grant’s second turning point was his promotion to Lieutenant General nearing the end of the war, in which he was the first man to receive that rank since George Washington had. This set up the foundations for his political pursuits, though he did not want anything more than, “to be the mayor of Galena (his hometown where he and Julia built their first house)-- to build a new sidewalk from my house to the depot.” Not only did this put pressure on him to win the war now he had received this rank, but, as his good friend and fellow general William Tecumseh Sherman said, “You are now Washington’s legitimate successor.” Instead of folding under his already mounting stress and pressure, Grant used his military knowledge to lead the Union to victory after the Battle of Appomattox the following year, again demonstrating his calm, aloof demeanor. Also, as demonstrated by the previous cartoon stated above, this shifted the public opinion of him to its highest point of his life. No longer was he burdened with rumors of drunkenness, but for the most part, hailed as a public hero.

Lastly, a crucial turning point in Grant’s life was his emergence of his own, political opinion, which developed into a loud voice during his disagreements with President Johnson. Previously, Grant had stopped himself from voicing his political opinions, especially to his pro-slavery father-in-law and others in his hometown and Galena. Once he was put in the public light, Grant showed his loyalties to his military pacts and treaties forged with the South. Grant grew to fiercely oppose Johnson’s vetoes of important bills and amendments