Daniel Richardson
May 30,2017
Magazine Profile
Interview With
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S Grant was a war general who gained is popularity in 1862, at Fort Henry and western Tennessee won him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender” Grant was then placed in the public eye. However the surprise attack by the Confederate Forces at the Battle Of Shiloh brought numerous casualties upon Grant’s army. To Grants surprise President Abraham Lincoln had gotten many notes demanding Grant be stripped of his general status, however Lincoln responded “I cant spare him, He Fights” . Grant Is most know for his hard won victory at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863 which was strategic masterpiece. We come together today with Ulysses S. Grant to ask about his thoughts, feelings, and emotions during the War at VicksBurg.
During the siege, what were your men doing and how were the Confederates responding? Did they Come out and attack? Stay inside and wait it out?
My men during the Battle were shelling the city, due to the citizens and soldiers hiding in side the city. Confederate troops, as well as Vicksburg citizens, heroically held out for 47 days before surrendering to Union forces. It was during this 47-day siege that the citizens of Vicksburg, while the city was under steady shelling, were forced to live in caves.
How did you strategically place your troops, how did want to attack the City? Did you have faith in your men? What did you think the Confederates were doing?
I moved 77,000 Union soldiers into positions completely encircling Vicksburg and eventually cutting off their supply line. Any chance of a Confederate escape was gone. By the end of June, many Confederate soldiers began suffering from malnutrition and scurvy, a condition which frequently afflicted sailors in the Age of Exploration, caused by an acute lack of Vitamin-C. Others suffered from unsanitary conditions and came down with diarrhea, dehydration, malaria, and dysentery. Confederate forces were forced to eat their horses, dogs, and to steal vegetables from the gardens of Vicksburg residents. Amidst the misery, Union gunboats and cannons continuously bombarded the city and fortifications, destroying suitable shelters. Residents and soldiers would dig over 500 caves into the hillside to escape the bombardment.
What happen after war, the agreements made? Did you feel it as a victory?
Well I believe there is always doubting thoughts on weather this plan working out. I do not doubt my self because If I do the I will loose the trust of my men and they will no longer fight wholehearted. I will remain cool,cal, and collected while running through situations in my head. By July, the situation had grown hopeless for the Confederates. Surrender negotiations began and Grant agreed to parole the remaining Confederate soldiers, rather than having to ship 30,000 to prison camps. There is a saying “ when in Command, COMMAND” and there is no part of that that i don't follow. My men know me and I know them I give them and order and they will accomplish he task. I set up plans on how I wanted to take over the city. My men executed the plan precisely and followed my every order. This was a victory by all standards.
Well I don want to thank you Mr. Grant for letting my use your precious time. Your insight has defiantly unlighted my and hopefully the audiences views on You and the where we stand on Vicksburg. Your exaltation has definitely helped us clear the fog and confusion. I just wanted to say a big thank you for our service to you and all of the soldiers.
May 30,2017
Magazine Profile
Interview With
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S Grant was a war general who gained is popularity in 1862, at Fort Henry and western Tennessee won him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender” Grant was then placed in the public eye. However the surprise attack by the Confederate Forces at the Battle Of Shiloh brought numerous casualties upon Grant’s army. To Grants surprise President Abraham Lincoln had gotten many notes demanding Grant be stripped of his general status, however Lincoln responded “I cant spare him, He Fights” . Grant Is most know for his hard won victory at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863 which was strategic masterpiece. We come together today with Ulysses S. Grant to ask about his thoughts, feelings, and emotions during the War at VicksBurg.
During the siege, what were your men doing and how were the Confederates responding? Did they Come out and attack? Stay inside and wait it out?
My men during the Battle were shelling the city, due to the citizens and soldiers hiding in side the city. Confederate troops, as well as Vicksburg citizens, heroically held out for 47 days before surrendering to Union forces. It was during this 47-day siege that the citizens of Vicksburg, while the city was under steady shelling, were forced to live in caves.
How did you strategically place your troops, how did want to attack the City? Did you have faith in your men? What did you think the Confederates were doing?
I moved 77,000 Union soldiers into positions completely encircling Vicksburg and eventually cutting off their supply line. Any chance of a Confederate escape was gone. By the end of June, many Confederate soldiers began suffering from malnutrition and scurvy, a condition which frequently afflicted sailors in the Age of Exploration, caused by an acute lack of Vitamin-C. Others suffered from unsanitary conditions and came down with diarrhea, dehydration, malaria, and dysentery. Confederate forces were forced to eat their horses, dogs, and to steal vegetables from the gardens of Vicksburg residents. Amidst the misery, Union gunboats and cannons continuously bombarded the city and fortifications, destroying suitable shelters. Residents and soldiers would dig over 500 caves into the hillside to escape the bombardment.
What happen after war, the agreements made? Did you feel it as a victory?
Well I believe there is always doubting thoughts on weather this plan working out. I do not doubt my self because If I do the I will loose the trust of my men and they will no longer fight wholehearted. I will remain cool,cal, and collected while running through situations in my head. By July, the situation had grown hopeless for the Confederates. Surrender negotiations began and Grant agreed to parole the remaining Confederate soldiers, rather than having to ship 30,000 to prison camps. There is a saying “ when in Command, COMMAND” and there is no part of that that i don't follow. My men know me and I know them I give them and order and they will accomplish he task. I set up plans on how I wanted to take over the city. My men executed the plan precisely and followed my every order. This was a victory by all standards.
Well I don want to thank you Mr. Grant for letting my use your precious time. Your insight has defiantly unlighted my and hopefully the audiences views on You and the where we stand on Vicksburg. Your exaltation has definitely helped us clear the fog and confusion. I just wanted to say a big thank you for our service to you and all of the soldiers.