Grant, Ulysses S.: - Ulysses S. Grant, born Hiram Ulysses Grant on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1843. He served with distinction in the Mexican-American War but resigned from the Army in 1854, facing financial difficulties in civilian life. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Grant rejoined the Union Army, rising to prominence after victories in the Western Theater.In 1863, Grant led the successful Vicksburg Campaign, securing Union control of the Mississippi River and dealing a significant blow to the Confederacy. President Abraham Lincoln promoted him to lieutenant general in 1864, granting him command of all Union armies. Grant's relentless Overland Campaign culminated in General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865, effectively ending the Civil War.Elected as the 18th President of the United States in 1868, Grant served two terms from 1869 to 1877. His administration worked to stabilize the post-war economy, enforce Reconstruction, and protect African American civil rights. Despite facing scandals and economic challenges, Grant's commitment to civil rights and efforts to reconcile a divided nation have led to a reevaluation of his legacy in recent years.