US Grant Bicentennial Junior Ranger - Part 3: The Civil War

Drawing of Grant and Lee shaking hands at Appomattox Court House

NPS

Biography Part 3 - The Civil War

Ulysses Grant and his family moved to Galena, Illinois after leaving St. Louis. He worked in his father’s general store. He was working there when the American War began in April 1861. Americans disagreed about whether slavery was bad or good. Eleven states in the South wanted to leave the United States and form their own country. They called themselves the Confederacy. Grant thought dividing the country was wrong. He rejoined the U.S. Army. He felt it was his patriotic duty to support his country. Grant’s first job was working with volunteer soldiers from Illinois. Soon he was leading troops in battle. Many people saw that Grant was a wise military leader. President Lincoln liked Grant. Lincoln made Grant the commanding general of all the Union armies.

Grant’s wife, Julia, sometimes stayed with Grant when he was in military camps. His oldest son, Fred, followed him during several military battles. Fred saw a few battles and once a bullet hit him in the leg. Fred was only 13 years old at the time.

Grant worked hard to end the war. He agreed with Lincoln and wanted the enslaved people living in the South to be freed. Many enslaved men, women, and children escaped to Union areas. Grant supported the refugee camps that provided safe places for these people. /image of colored troops/ Grant also welcomed former enslaved men into the Union Army. On April 9, 1865, Grant met Confederate General Robert E. Lee in a town called Appomattox Court House. Lee came to surrender his army to Grant. Most people consider this the event that ended the Civil War. Grant treated the Confederate soldiers kindly even though they lost the war. Grant wanted to bring everyone together in one country.

Use the audio player below to listen to this passage.

• US Grant Biography - The Civil War

  
  

  Audio recording of the short biography of Ulysses S. Grant for Junior Rangers
  Audio Transcript

  CIVIL WAR Ulysses Grant and his family moved to Galena, Illinois after leaving St. Louis. He worked in his father’s general store. He was working there when the American War began in April 1861. Americans disagreed about whether slavery was bad or good. Eleven states in the South wanted to leave the United States and form their own country. They called themselves the Confederacy. Grant thought dividing the country was wrong. He rejoined the U.S. Army. He felt it was his patriotic duty to support his country. Grant’s first job was working with volunteer soldiers from Illinois. Soon he was leading troops in battle. Many people saw that Grant was a wise military leader. President Lincoln liked Grant. Lincoln made Grant the commanding general of all the Union armies.

  Grant’s wife, Julia, sometimes stayed with Grant when he was in military camps. His oldest son, Fred, followed him during several military battles. Fred saw a few battles and once a bullet hit him in the leg. Fred was only 13 years old at the time.

  Grant worked hard to end the war. He agreed with Lincoln and wanted the enslaved people living in the South to be freed. Many enslaved men, women, and children escaped to Union areas. Grant supported the refugee camps that provided safe places for these people. /image of colored troops/ Grant also welcomed former enslaved men into the Union Army. On April 9, 1865, Grant met Confederate General Robert E. Lee in a town called Appomattox Court House. Lee came to surrender his army to Grant. Most people consider this the event that ended the Civil War. Grant treated the Confederate soldiers kindly even though they lost the war. Grant wanted to bring everyone together in one country.

Unidentified black soldier

Library of Congress

United States Colored Troops

Around 180,000 African American men served in the Union Army during the Civil War and were known as United States Colored Troops (USCT). They were originally prohibited from serving in the Army, but later allowed to serve after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. This act abolished slavery in the Confederacy. General Grant supported the enlistment of African American soldiers in the Army. “By arming the negro we have added a powerful ally. They will make good soldiers.”One USCT solider from Missouri was John Darbey, who began his service at Benton Barracks in St. Louis. He served with distinction and was later promoted to the rank of Corporal.

Volunteer enlistment form from the Civil War

Library of Congress

Activity - Ready to Enlist?

You must carefully read through your enlistment paper, fill out the information, and fill out the boxes with your information. A Ranger will fill out the “Sworn and subscribed,” “Examining Surgeon,” and “Recruiting Officer” sections.

Try to Answer the following questions:

1. Why is it important for a soldier to take an oath of allegiance to the United States?
2. Why do you think African Americans, many of whom were enslaved like John Darbey, wanted to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War?
3. Why do you think General Grant supported the idea of enlisting African Americans into the Army?