Born in 1822, Grant was the son of an Ohio tanner.
He went to West Point rather against his will and graduated in the middle of his class.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Grant was appointed by the governor to command an unruly volunteer regiment, quickly rising to the rank of brigadier general of volunteers.
In February 1862, he took Fort Henry and attacked Fort Donelson.
When the Confederate commander asked for terms, Grant replied, No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrende.
River Moor Books Personal memoirs of u. s. grant volume 2/2: large print edition, paperback/ulysses s. grant
