Ulysses S. Grant Research Paper

Ulysses S. Grant served as a U.S. general and commander of the Union armies during the American Civil War. From there, he soon became the 18th U.S. president. However, before then, Ulysses S Grant was born as Hiram Ulysses Grant in Point Pleasant, Ohio on April 27, 1822. Born to Hannah and Jesse Grant, he was the first born out of the six children. A year after his birth, his family moved to Georgetown, Ohio.
As a young child, Grant worked on the family farm. Grant’s father worked as a tanner, taking animal hides to turn into leather, with skinned and raw animal carcasses everywhere and hides in stinking chemicals. Now, Grant hated the work as a tanner and swore to his father that he would never work as one in his adulthood. He did, however, enjoy riding horses. On the farm, his father would often give him the responsibility of taking care of the horses as well as the other farm animals. He became renowned around the area for managing unruly horses. He himself used to say, “If I can mount a horse, I can ride him.” His love for horses made it easier to handle them, which would prove to be useful later in his life.

When it came time for college, his family could not afford to send him to one. During that time, the West Point United States Military Academy was offering a deal that would give superlative free education in return for Army service after graduating. Though initially not wanting to become a soldier, after realizing a chance to receive a college education, Grant decided to take up the offer. This is the time when he received his name as Ulysses S Grant. When his congressman was applying for Grant’s appointment to West Point, he incorrectly wrote Grant’s name as Ulysses Simpson Grant (Simpson coming from his mother’s maiden name). Although Grant did attempt to correct the mistake, the name eventually stick with him for the rest of his