Ulysses S. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio. A clerical error during his nomination to West Point changed his name to Ulysses S. Grant, and he kept it.¹⁾

Grant attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1843. He was a middling student, ranking 21st out of 39.²⁾

Grant earned the nickname “Uncle Sam Grant” at West Point due to his initials “U.S.,” leading to the widely recognized initials “U.S.” in his name.³⁾

After West Point, Grant was assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry Regiment, stationed at Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, Missouri.⁴⁾

In 1848, Grant married Julia Dent, whom he met while stationed at Jefferson Barracks. They had four children together.⁵⁾

Grant served in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) under Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, gaining valuable military experience.⁶⁾

After resigning from the Army in 1854, Grant struggled to make a living as a farmer and in other civilian jobs. He was not particularly successful and often faced financial difficulties.⁷⁾

With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Grant rejoined the Army, initially serving as a colonel of volunteers.⁸⁾

Grant's first major victory came at Fort Donelson in Tennessee in February 1862, where he famously demanded “unconditional surrender” from the Confederate forces.⁹⁾

After his success at Fort Donelson, Grant was promoted to major general of volunteers.¹⁰⁾

Grant led Union forces at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. Despite heavy losses, the Union emerged victorious.¹¹⁾

Grant's successful campaign to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863 was a turning point in the Civil War, giving the Union control of the Mississippi River.¹²⁾

Due to his success, Grant earned the nickname “The Butcher” for his willingness to engage in total war and suffer heavy casualties to achieve victory.¹³⁾

In March 1864, President Abraham Lincoln promoted Grant to lieutenant general, making him the first person to hold that rank since George Washington.¹⁴⁾

Grant led the Union Army in the Overland Campaign in 1864, marked by brutal battles such as the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor.¹⁵⁾