Ulysses Simpson Grant was born at Point Pleasant, Ohio, on 27 
April 1822

*** was educated at local schools

*** attended the United States Military Academy, 1839-1843, and 
was commissioned in infantry

*** served with the 4th Infantry on the frontier and in the 
occupation of Texas 1843-1846

*** served under Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott in 
the Mexican war and was brevetted first lieutenant and captain 
for gallant conduct at Molino del Rey and Chapultepec, 1846-1848

*** married Julia Dent, 1848

*** was promoted to first lieutenant, September 1847, and served 
as quartermaster, 4th Infantry, at various posts

*** was promoted to captain while on frontier duty in the 
Northwest, August 1853

*** resigned from the Army, July 1854

*** was generally unsuccessful at farming, real estate, and 
clerical activities, 1854-1861

*** was appointed colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, June 1861, then brigadier general of volunteers, 
August 1861

*** commanded the field forces in the battles of Forts Henry and 
Donelson and at Shiloh, 1862

*** was promoted to major general of volunteers, February 1862

*** commanded the District of west Tennessee, then the 
Department of Tennessee, 1862-1863

*** defeated the Confederate forces at Vicksburg, July 1863, to 
bring the Mississippi River under Union control

*** was appointed major general in the regular Army, July 1863

*** received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal, December 
1863

*** commanded the Division of the Mississippi, 1863-1864, and 
defeated the Confederates at Chattanooga in November 1863

*** was promoted to lieutenant general, March 1864

*** was commanding general of the United States Army, 9 March 
1864 - 4 March 1869

*** commanded the Union armies in the final battles in Virginia, 
1864-1865

*** received the unconditional surrender of General Lee at 
Appomattox Court House, April 1865

*** presided over the Army's participation in Reconstruction, 
railroad construction, and Indian affairs

*** was promoted to the rank of general, July 1866

*** was secretary of war ad interim, 12 August 1867-13 January 
1868

*** was the Republican candidate for president, 1868

*** was president of the United States, 4 March 1869-3 March 
1877

*** toured Europe with his family, 1877-1879, then engaged in 
several unsuccessful business ventures

*** was reappointed general and placed on the retired list, 
March 1885

*** died in Mount McGregor, New York, on 23 July 1885.

From: COMMANDING GENERALS AND CHIEFS OF STAFF, 1775-1982, 
William Gardner Bell, Center of Military History, United States 
Army, Washington, D.C., 1983

Transcribed and edited by:
Larry W. Jewell
jewell@mace.cc.purdue.edu