The Legendary Perseverance Of General Ulysses S. Grant

General Ulysses S. Grant was the consummate leader whose determination and perseverance was legendary.

General Grant was perhaps the greatest leader of all time.  He knew what it took to relate to his men.  He didn’t dress in the uniform of a commanding officer; he wore the same as any soldier.  He ate what they ate and took the same rations.  He slept on the ground like anyone else.  He often put himself within firing range of the Confederates and never feared being killed.

His men respected his courage, relatability, and leadership.  Even after the great military victories under his command he refused to take credit, quickly passing on the honors to the soldiers who did the fighting.  As the honors continued to pour in, he remained forever humble.

From an early age, Ulysses S. Grant showed his patriotism and support of the United States of America.  Grant read about the life of George Washington and admired his character.  When he was nine or ten years old his cousin John was invited to stay with the Grants while he attended school.  John was from Canada and about the same age as Ulysses at the time.  Both boys were loyal to their country and defended them as a matter of honor.  One day, John remarked that “Washington was a traitor to his country, because he fought against the King.”  After Ulysses said he would thrash him if dared repeat it, John did.  John faithfully defended the King and the two grappled, until Ulysses, possessing great perseverance left his cousin sprawled on the ground.

Ulysses had not been known to quarrel with anyone either before or after the incident, except on principle when he went into the Mexican War.  What he did in life from a young age to death was remarkable.  He possessed a deep respect for his superiors, quick to honor justice, and worked extremely hard starting from a young age of eight.  Contrary to the false reports of that time, General Grant abstained from liquor or anything else that would cloud his judgment.  Similarly, his reputation for profanity was simply untrue.  Those in his company said that he never used a profane word.  His successes brought jealously from politicians and some military leaders.  Even then, he went about his business as normal.