The Butcher: A Tainted Memory of A Military Hero

By Cecilia Ware

Ulysses S. Grant

Before the WarBorn April 27, 1822,

Point Pleasant, OHGraduate of West

PointShy, unassumingMarried Julia Dent

on August 22, 1848Drinking problems

earn him bad rep

The Mexican-American WarServed as

quartermaster under General Zachary Taylor and later General Winfield Scott

Closely observed military tactics

Honored for bravery in battle under fire

Moving UpVicksburgChattanoogaMissionary Ridge

PROMOTIONS!

Loss of about 55,000 Union soldiers

“We have met a man this time, who either does not know when he is whipped, or who cares not if he loses his whole army.”

Overland Campaign

"Still there is

heavy loss, but

we are becoming

accustomed to

the sacrifice.

Grant has not

great regard for

human life.“ -

Union Secretary

of the Navy

Gideon Welles

Grant at Cold Harbor – July, 1864

Union LossesVicksburg Campaign

- 40,718

Appomattox Campaign – 41,666

Vicksburg Campaign - 9,362

Appomattox Campaign – 10,780

Comparisons

Confederate Losses

“He loses two men to the enemy’s one. He has no management, no regard for life…Grant, I repeat, is an obstinate fool and a butcher.”

- Mary Todd Lincoln

Response“I have always

regretted that the last assault on Cold Harbor was ever made…no advantage was ever gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained.” - Grant

“I have never advocated war except as a means of peace.”

- Grant

“Far from behaving like an uncaring ‘butcher’, Grant intervened to save lives when, Meade…appeared incapable of acting.”

- Gordon Rhea

The Last Days