Ulysses S. Grant, 1861-1864: His Rise from Obscurity to Military Greatness

by William Farina

Overview

On May 3, 1861, Illinois Governor Richard Yates appointed a Mexican War veteran with Democratic sympathies and southern ties to be chief mustering officer at Camp Yates in Springfield. And so began Ulysses S. Grant's reluctantly revived military career. Over the next three years, Grant would have a chance to display a myriad of talents few suspected, including a remarkable penchant for organization, decided skill at written communication and a quick understanding of military potential. By March 1864, Grant had risen to lieutenant general, a rank last held by George Washington.

This biography details the three years which saw Ulysses S. Grant's extraordinary rise from mediocre shop clerk to general-in-chief of the U.S. Army. Beginning with Grant's work at his family's leather shop in Galena, Illinois, it records his re-entry into a military life as a volunteer from Illinois. Grant's most spectacular campaigns, including Vicksburg and Chattanooga, are discussed in depth. Special emphasis is placed on events such as politicking, rumors, and intrigue which took place between the various battles. Other topics include Grant's personal qualities and background, his extraordinary good fortune and the general's informal and unorthodox command style. The work is indexed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786429776
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	05/10/2007
Pages:	324
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.65(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

William Farina is a retired real estate consultant for the federal government, now living in Evanston, Illinois. He has written books on Arthurian legend, early Christianity, the American Civil War, Shakespeare and baseball.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Introduction     

1. April 1861: Galena, Illinois     
2. May 1861: Springfield, Illinois     
3. June 1861: Colonel Grant     
4. July 1861: Florida, Missouri     
5. August 1861: Brigadier General Grant     
6. September 1861: Paducah, Kentucky     
7. October 1861: Calm Before the Storm     
8. November 1861: Belmont, Missouri     
9. December 1861: Winter Quarters     
10. January 1862: Cairo Dogs of War     
11. February 1862: Fort Donelson     
12. March 1862: America’s Most Wanted Man     
13. April 1862: Shiloh     
14. May 1862: Disgrace     
15. June 1862: The Occupation of Memphis     
16. July 1862: Reunited with Family     
17. August 1862: “The Most Anxious Period of the War”     
18. September 1862: Acoustic Shadow at Iuka     
19. October 1862: The Battle of Corinth     
20. November 1862: The First Vicksburg Campaign     
21. December 1862: The Beginning of Total War     
22. January 1863: The Second Vicksburg Campaign     
23. February 1863: Bogged Down, Literally     
24. March 1863: Steele Bayou Expedition     
25. April 1863: Running the Gauntlet     
26. May 1863: Champion Hill     
27. June 1863: The Siege of Vicksburg     
28. July 1863: Major-General Grant     
29. August 1863: “All Look Upon Us As Enemies”     
30. September 1863: New Orleans     
31. October 1863: Rebels in Blue Suits     
32. November 1863: Missionary Ridge     
33. December 1863: “The Question Astonishes Me”     
34. January 1864: Celebrity in St. Louis     
35. February 1864: Georgia Preparations     
36. March 1864: Lieutenant-General Grant     

Aftermath: 1864–1885     
Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

indispensable...unbeatable...deep research...high quality”—Civil War News.

From the Publisher

indispensable...unbeatable...deep research...high quality

Civil War News