Grant "You boys better hush up"

[Cavalry Charger]

"You may be interested in why scholars write books about particular people. In my own case, is has to do with family heritage. My ancestors settled in Mississippi in the 1820s, and have remained there. I first encountered General Grant when I was about 10 or 11 years old. My father took me and some of my Chickasaw County cousins to see the battlefield at Shiloh. We walked all over the battlefield, and like young boys are wont to do began to talk about how the South could have won if Albert Sidney Johnston had done this, or if Beauregard had done that. My father listened to us for a while and then said, "You boys better hush-up. General Grant was in command of the Union Army that day, and General Grant never lost a battle. And we should all be **** glad that he didn't."

My father said that knowing that his grandfather, my great-grandfather, had been killed at Shiloh fighting for the Confederates, but he impressed on me that the survival of the Union was far more important than our personal loss—and I have been hooked on Grant from that day on. (Eisenhower also never lost a battle—although Kasserine Pass, Salerno, and the Battle of the Bulge were near-run things. But then so was Shiloh!)

When we look back at the life of General Grant, it seems clear that he, more than any figure except Lincoln, was responsible for saving the Union."

“Let Us Have Peace”: Remembering General Ulysses S. Grant - Foreign Policy Research Institute

It is a pleasure to speak at the conference on “The Great Captains in American History,” and to talk about General Grant. Let me begin, however, by offering a

www.fpri.org

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

That was a really interesting article and thank you for posting it!

 

[Cavalry Charger]

That was a really interesting article and thank you for posting it!

You're welcome, Tina

There was a lot in it, and I thought it was worth a share.

 

[Ole Miss]

Thank you sharing the article as it presented Grant the man not the Demi-God.
Regards
David

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Thank you sharing the article as it presented Grant the man not the Demi-God.
Regards
David

Yes, it definitely took us through some of the highs and lows of Grant's life and career.

He didn't comment on the sense of remorse Grant felt at the events at Cold Harbor which might have been significant in terms of him beginning with the reminder that 'war is a terrible thing' and not to be romanticized. I guess he was more focused on the understanding that Grant did what he needed to do to maintain the Union, and those were some of the consequences. The 5:3 ratio of loss of life comparing Union to Confederate troops with regard to the campaign of Northern Virginia highlights that in this talk.

 

[unionblue]

Good article and I am glad you shared it here with all the members of the forum.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Good article and I am glad you shared it here with all the members of the forum.

Thanks @unionblue . I was delighted to find it. It really gives another perspective on things, coming from someone who's ancestors fought for the Confederacy. He has his own take on things, of course, but I like to view things from a number of perspectives. And, of course, Grant is my focus.

 

[GrantCottage1885]

JE Smith, who just recently passed away on Sept. 1st, certainly had a good perspective on Grant. His 2001 biography "Grant" was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The US Grant Papers gave modern biographers a much better insight into the man but it is still difficult for many to remain balanced and objective with such an intriguing subject as Grant. I think many people overcomplicate the man and miss his powerful simplicity, one of his keys to battling adversity and fulfilling his duty.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

JE Smith, who just recently passed away on Sept. 1st,

It seems I've put up a couple of 'fortuitous' threads today, as I had no idea of this man's standing or his recent passing.

Thanks so much for adding more from your marvellous knowlege base again today. We really are very fortunate to have you here.

it is still difficult for many to remain balanced and objective with such an intriguing subject as Grant. I think many people overcomplicate the man and miss his powerful simplicity, one of his keys to battling adversity and fulfilling his duty.

I have to agree, his simplicity is something that has always stood out for me.

 

[diane]

I think many people overcomplicate the man and miss his powerful simplicity, one of his keys to battling adversity and fulfilling his duty.

Can't but agree with that - many can't see how a simple man can accomplish so much! Grant saw a job to be done and did it - that's just basically Grant throughout his life. It's like minimalist art.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

It's like minimalist art.

I love that thought ... understated if you like