McClellan

Known as the “Young Napoleon” during the Civil War, Union General George B. McClellan was known more for his organizational skills than for his fighting
talent of political power. He was loved deeply by his men, but never seemed to take action when he needed to, continually overestimating his opponent.
Born in 1826 into a wealthy, distinguished family, be began his military career when he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point when he
was 15, and graduated second in his class in 1846. His experience also included serving in the Mexican-American War and being chief engineer and president
of the Illinois Central Railroad, where he became acquainted with the future President Lincoln, who was working as a lawyer at the time.

When the Civil War broke out, McClellan was quickly appointed a major general position in Ohio, but after the first Battle of Bull Run, Lincoln gave him
command of the armies around Washington D.C. McClellan being a democrat, thought that the war should not be fought to end slavery, but only to keep the
Union together. The handsome, charismatic 35 year old was a bit arrogant, reportedly telling his wife “I can do it all. All tell me that I am held
responsible for the fate of the nation, and that all its resources shall be placed at my disposal.” McClellan made Lincoln proud of his choice of
appointment at first, as he disciplined, drilled, and organized the Potomac Army, the main army on the Union Side. As winter cam though, McClellan began to
be criticized for his lack of action. Lincoln, who was very frustrated that the war was still going on at this point, had reportedly stated that if
McClellan did not intend to use his army, he himself wanted to borrow it. McClellan defended his plan of having no plan to the critics by arguing that
the Confederates were better prepared and higher in number than his own army, a fact which had much substantial evidence against it. His army was
certainly ready for battle against the much smaller Confederate forces, but still he denied it.

McClellan finally presented a plan of action to Lincoln, which involved a massive invasion in taking over the Confederate capital of Richmond. In the
spring of 1862, his army was on the move for the peninsular campaign, as his plan was called. He constantly asked Lincoln for more men and supplies,
prompting Lincoln’s famous observation that “sending reinforcements to McClellan is like shoveling flies across a barn.” McClellan slowly advanced toward
Richmond and came within five miles of capturing the city, but his forward movement was permanently stopped after the Battle of Seven Pines and The Seven
Days’ Battle against Confederate General Lee. McClellan Characteristically blamed his loss on the politicians in Washington who failed to give his the
reinforcements he called for, but did not need. Lincoln removed McClellan from the position as general in chief, but was forced to reappoint him after a
worse general messed up during The Second Battle of Bull Run. During a smaller battle, a Union soldier found a copy of Lee’s plan and immediately gave it
to McClellan. Few generals in history have had such accurate details about their enemy’s plan, but McClellan did not take advantage of it and another
opportunity to end the war was lost. After more and more disappointments by McClellan, Lincoln relieved him of his position in November of 1862. After a
tearful farewell from his soldiers, McClellan moved to New York City and his military career was over. He died on October 29, 1885.

Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis is known to the world today as the President of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. He was born in 1808 on June
third, the tenth and last child of Samuel Emory and Jane Cook Davis. Between the ages of eight and ten he attended St. Thomas College in Springfield
Kentucky , two academies in Mississippi , and Transylvania Academy in Lexington Kentucky in 1823. He became a successful planter in Warren County
Mississippi until he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point where he was memorable for the number of rules he violated and graduating
23rd out of 33 cadets in the class of 1828. After that he spent nearly seven years as an army officer and like his foe Abraham Lincoln, he participated
in the Black Hawk War of 1832. He married Sarah Knox Taylor, who died less than three months into the marriage of a fever, leaving Davis stricken with
grief. To get over it he looked to his brother about learning the business of running a plantation, and read widely about politics, finding himself
supporting states’ rights and becoming a man of the Democratic Party. In 1845 he won the election of the U.S. House of Representatives, and later
married Varina Howell with whom he had four sons and two daughters.

Davis was wounded in the Mexican- American War while serving under his former father-in-law, General Zachary Taylor, and returned to Mississippi as a
hero, where he was appointed a lifetime term on the senate. He resigned the next year to run for governor of Mississippi, but lost. He became Secretary
of War under Franklin Pierce, and then returned to the Senate again in 1857. One of his southern ideas caused him to argue that states had willingly
come together to form a Union and could chose at any time to reclaim their sovereignty by withdrawing. He declared that no “abolition president” should
be allowed to take office, not long before just that man, Abraham Lincoln, won the presidency in 1860. This prompted Davis to support the southern
states to withdraw from the nation.

On February 9th he learned that a constitutional convention of delegates had selected him to be the first president of the new slaveholding, seceded
states, known as the Confederate States of America. Apart from his great political reputation, his presence at the head of the government would reassure
the nation that the Confederacy was serious. His first major test was in April 1861 when President Davis had to face the crisis of Fort Sumter. After
Lincoln made it clear that he intended to resupply the fort, Davis approved an attack of the fort that eventually caused it to surrender. Thus began the
start of the war.

Throughout his career as President of the Confederacy, Davis was in very poor health. He struggled against illness as he tried to control a huge war
that had grown beyond anyone’s intentions or expectations. He had the help of his chief military advisor, Robert E. Lee, and his confederate Vice
President Alexander H. Stephens. He spent much of his time dealing with Generals, Strategy, and other military affairs, and felt the pressure from all
parts of the new nation to provide protection against the invading Union forces. After not much hope was left for the Confederacy’s success by the fall
of 1864, the president remained strong in his support of the nation, urging people to not give up hope. He even recommended that slaves be made to fight
in the war, although the idea was quickly turned down. For Davis, the victory of the south came to mean everything. After the fall of Richmond on
April 2, 1865, Davis fled southward falling into the hands of the Union. He spent two years as a prisoner at Fort Monroe, but was released in May of
1867. He suffered financially after the union victory, and all of his sons died before him. His ill health continued until his death on December 5, 1889.
He was the biggest symbol of the failed Confederate cause.

Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant (he changed his name because he believed his initials H.U.G. would provide him ridicule) on April 1822 in
Point Pleasant, Ohio. Although he had no drive to join the military, Grant arrived at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1839 as a
5’1” 17 year old, believing it to be a way to get away from home. He had a talent with horses which resulted in an academy equestrian high-jump record
that stood for 25 years, but his dislike or discipline resulted in several demerits for slovenly dress and tardiness, and when he graduated in 1843 he
ranked 21st in a class of 39. Grant heard his first shots of battle on May 3, 1846 in the Mexican- American War, some 25 miles from where he was
stationed. When his service in the war ended in 1848, he married his long time love named Julia and became a strong family man to her and their three
children. The Army once again stationed his far away, which made him miserably miss his family, causing him to drink violently, although his drunkenness
never appeared on his official records.

War seemed to save the thirty eight year old depressed man. Although he never praised or looked for it, it seemed to raise him above the ordinary and
give his life meaning. After the South attacked Fort Sumter in April 1861, Grant seemed to lose his vacant expression and gain energies ha had never had.
Through the help of his local congressman he obtained rank as a colonel. In summer 1861 Grant led the 21st Illinois regiment into Missouri, a
strategically important state because of its border with the Mississippi River. Early in February the next year he joined force of 17,000 men with the
Unites States Navy for a successful attack on Fort Henry. Soon after, he attacked Fort Donelson in Tennessee, trapping 11,500 Confederate soldiers. After
not giving the general nice terms of surrender, Grant earned the nickname to be Unconditional Surrender Grant. General Henry Halleck relieved his of his
command out of jealousy, but under Lincoln’s influence Grant was soon given back his post.

In April 1862, Grant and high men fought in the Battle of Shiloh, which resulted from a confederate assault that caught Grant off guard, but after two
days of fighting, produced no real results. It did leave a bloody legend though, of more American soldiers dead than in both the Revolutionary War and
War of 1812. Despite the criticism he got for losing so many men in his first major battle, he emerged as a hero and was called a great general. After
two unsuccessful attacks on Vicksburg in the month of May, Grant deployed a week long blockade of the city, until on July 3rd the rebels surrendered.
Grant then went on to win crucial ground at Chattanooga. In November of 1863, President Lincoln appointed Grant the position of commander in chief of
the entire Union Army. As many more successful and unsuccessful battles followed for the great general, Grant made his legend known. At the end of the
War, as northerners celebrated their victory, Grant narrowly escaped death. He was supposed to be a target along with Lincoln at Ford’s Theater, but had
decided not to go after his wife, who disliked Mrs. Lincoln, persuaded him. After Lincoln’s death, Grant had originally supported the new President
Johnson, and had been his Secretary of War, but quit the post, infuriating Johnson. Grant later went on to become the 18th President of the United
States, supporting and aiding congress during Congressional Reconstruction. Although many scandals occurred during his first term, he seemed to lead
the country much better than the one that preceded him (Johnson) and helped the country stay as a whole after the war.

Robert E. Lee

Robert E. Lee was born on January 9, 1807, the youngest of four children. A military life was definitely in Lee’s blood, as his father was a famous
patriot in the Revolutionary War, although he ran off from his family. Lee’s mother had the biggest influence on him though. After school when other
boys went off to play, Lee had to march straight home to give his mother her medicine, after she became an invalid giving birth to him. At such a young
age, Lee was dealing with such a responsibility that must have given him a sense of self sacrifice that he showed throughout his life. He was a good
student at the Alexandria Academy and would have done very well in college, but his mother did not have enough money to pay for him to go, so instead he
enrolled at West Point in 1824. Lee seemed to enjoy the routine that was given to him at West point and never took advantage by drinking or smoking, but
instead continued to be a good scholar. He was a handsome figure in his gray Cadet uniform and he had grown very tall, catching the eye of his long time
friend, Mary Anne Randolph Custis. The two were married in 1831. Mary’s Father was the daughter of the adopted son of George Washington.