Dedication
Author and dedicant, signing from New York City in 1885.
Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant
Author and narrator of the memoirs, reflecting on his experiences and perspectives.
I
Narrator and subject of the chapter; describes his birth, childhood, education, and early experiences in Ohio and Kentucky.
II
Narrator and protagonist; describes his appointment, journey, and cadet years at West Point.
Army Life—Causes of the Mexican War—Camp Salubrity
Narrator and protagonist; reports for duty, develops feelings for Julia Dent, opposes the Mexican War.
Corpus Christi and the March to the Rio Grande
Narrator and participant; recounts his experiences as a young officer in the 4th Infantry during the assembly at Corpus Christi and the preparations for the move to the Rio Grande.
Trip to Austin—Promotion to Full Second Lieutenant—Army of Occupation
Narrator and participant in the journey; regimental quartermaster who loses his horses.
Advance of the Army—Crossing the Colorado—The Rio Grande
Narrator and participant; marches on foot until given a mustang by Captain McCall; rides out to view the wild horse herd.
VII The Mexican War—The Battle of Palo Alto—The Battle of Resaca De La Palma—Army of Invasion—General Taylor—Movement on Camargo
As a young second-lieutenant, Grant describes his fear before battle and his participation in the charge at Resaca de la Palma, capturing a Mexican colonel.
The Battle of Monterey
Serves as regimental quartermaster, participates in the charge despite orders to stay in camp, loans his horse to Adjutant Hoskins, and later volunteers to ride for ammunition.
March to Jalapa—Battle of Cerro Gordo—Perote—Puebla—Scott and Taylor
Narrator and participant, serving as a quartermaster and witnessing the campaign.
Chapter XI: The Battles for Mexico City
Narrator and participant; present at Molino del Rey and other engagements.
Treaty of Peace and Mexican Excursions
Narrator and participant; describes his reactions to the bullfight, his failed climb of Popocatapetl, and his exploration of the caves.
Return of the Army—Marriage—Ordered to the Pacific Coast—Crossing the Isthmus—Arrival at San Francisco
Narrator; reflects on his Mexican War service, marriage, and command of the 4th Infantry during the Isthmus crossing.
San Francisco—Early California Experiences—Life on the Pacific Coast—Promoted Captain—Flush Times in California
Narrator and protagonist; describes his farming venture, promotion, and observations of San Francisco and Native American life.
Resignation—Private Life—Life at Galena—The Coming Crisis
Narrator; resigns from the army, works as a farmer, real estate agent, and clerk in Galena; votes for Buchanan in 1856; briefly joins the Know-Nothing party.
Outbreak of the Rebellion — Presiding at a Union Meeting — Mustering Officer of State Troops — Lyon at Camp Jackson — Services Tendered to the Government
Presides over a Union meeting in Galena, helps raise a company, declines captaincy, assists Governor Yates in mustering regiments, and witnesses the capture of Camp Jackson.
Appointed Colonel of the 21st Illinois—Personnel of the Regiment—General Logan—March to Missouri—Movement Against Harris at Florida, Mo.—General Pope in Command—Stationed at Mexico, Mo.
Narrator and protagonist; appointed colonel of the 21st Illinois; describes his fear before battle and the lesson learned about mutual fear.
Commissioned Brigadier-General — Command at Ironton, Mo. — Jefferson City — Cape Girardeau — General Prentiss — Seizure of Paducah — Headquarters at Cairo
Narrator and protagonist; newly commissioned brigadier-general, takes command at Ironton, Jefferson City, and Cairo, and leads the seizure of Paducah.
General Fremont in Command—Movement Against Belmont—Battle of Belmont—A Narrow Escape—After the Battle
Commands the Union forces at Belmont, leads the attack, and narrowly escapes capture during the retreat.
General Halleck in Command—Commanding the District of Cairo—Movement on Fort Henry—Capture of Fort Henry
Commands the District of Cairo, plans and leads the expedition against Fort Henry, and consults with Flag-officer Foote.
Investment of Fort Donelson
Commands the Union forces investing Fort Donelson; makes a reconnaissance, demands unconditional surrender, and accepts Buckner's capitulation.
XXIII
Promoted to Major-General of Volunteers; ordered to turn over command to C. F. Smith; later restored to command.
XXIV
Narrator and commander; describes his movements, injuries, and decisions during the battle.
XXV
Author and narrator; reflects on his command at Shiloh and his relationship with Buell.
Halleck Assumes Command in the Field—The Advance Upon Corinth—Occupation of Corinth—The Army Separated
Named second in command but marginalized; his orders are bypassed and he makes several applications to be relieved. He later criticizes Halleck's slow tactics and argues for a prompt attack after Shiloh.
Chapter XXVII
Narrator and commander of the District of West Tennessee; describes his command decisions, interactions with subordinates, and policy on civilian arrests.
XXVIII
Author and commander; devises the plan to trap Price at Iuka and oversees the operation from Burnsville.
Van Dorn's Movements — Battle of Corinth — Command of the Department of the Tennessee
Author and narrator; commands the district, reinforces Corinth, orders pursuit, and is placed in command of the Department of the Tennessee.
The Campaign Against Vicksburg
Author and commander of the Union forces; plans and leads the campaign against Vicksburg, orders the collection of forage, and organizes the employment of freedmen.
Headquarters Moved to Holly Springs—General McClernand in Command—Assuming Command at Young’s Point—Operations Above Vicksburg—Fortifications About Vicksburg—The Canal—Lake Providence—Operations at Yazoo Pass
Assumes command at Young’s Point, overrides McClernand, and resolves to push forward to a decisive victory.
The Vicksburg Campaign: Running the Batteries
Narrator and commander of the Department of the Tennessee; plans and oversees the movement against Vicksburg.
Attack on Grand Gulf — Operations Below Vicksburg
Narrator and commander of Union forces; orchestrates the crossing and battle at Port Gibson.
Capture of Port Gibson — Grierson's Raid — Occupation of Grand Gulf — Movement Up the Big Black — Battle of Raymond
Narrates the chapter; makes strategic decisions to abandon Grand Gulf and move independently against Vicksburg.
Movement Against Jackson—Fall of Jackson—Intercepting the Enemy—Battle of Champion's Hill
Commands the Union forces; makes the strategic decision to cut loose from his base and capture Jackson, then turns to engage Pemberton at Champion's Hill.
Battle of Black River Bridge—Crossing the Big Black—Investment of Vicksburg—Assaulting the Works
Commands the Union army, orders the pursuit and assault, and coordinates the investment of Vicksburg.
Siege of Vicksburg
Author and commander of the Union forces; decides on a regular siege, directs the investment, and relieves McClernand.
The Surrender of Vicksburg
As Union commander, Grant negotiates the surrender terms, meets with Pemberton, and issues orders for the parole and departure of Confederate prisoners.
Retrospect of the Campaign
Narrates the chapter; reflects on the campaign, his injury, and command decisions.
First Meeting with Secretary Stanton—General Rosecrans—Commanding Military Division of Mississippi—Andrew Johnson’s Address—Arrival at Chattanooga
Narrator and commander; meets Stanton, accepts command of Military Division of Mississippi, travels to Chattanooga to relieve Rosecrans.
Assuming the Command at Chattanooga—Opening a Line of Supplies—Battle of Wauhatchie—On the Picket Line
Assumes command at Chattanooga, personally inspects the front, and orchestrates the opening of the 'cracker line' supply route.
XLII
As overall commander, Grant orchestrates the relief of Burnside, orders Sherman's movements, and finalizes the battle plan for Chattanooga.
XLIII
Commander of the Military Division, directing the overall battle plan and coordinating troop movements.
Battle of Chattanooga
Commands the Union forces, issues orders for the assault on Missionary Ridge, and observes the battle from Orchard Knob.
The Relief of Knoxville
As General-in-Chief, Grant directs the relief of Knoxville, overcomes bureaucratic obstruction from Stanton, and personally assesses the situation at Ringgold before ordering Sherman to march.
XLVI
Receives commission as lieutenant-general from President Lincoln, assumes command of all Union armies, and begins preparations for the spring campaign.
The Military Situation—Plans For the Campaign—Sheridan Assigned to Command of the Cavalry—Flank Movements—Forrest at Fort Pillow—General Banks's Expedition—Colonel Mosby—An Incident of the Wilderness Campaign
As the new general-in-chief, Grant describes the overall military situation and his strategic plan for a coordinated offensive across all theaters.
Commencement of the Grand Campaign—General Butler’s Position—Sheridan’s First Raid
Author and commander, orchestrates the grand campaign and issues orders for Sheridan's raid.
The Battle of the Wilderness
Overall Union commander directing the campaign and the battle.
LI
Author and commander, reflecting on the battle and strategic decisions.
LII
Author and commander, directs assaults and writes to Halleck.
LIII
Author and commander, orders the assault on the salient, passes along the line, writes to Washington recommending promotions, and issues orders for the flank movement.
Movement by the Left Flank—Battle of North Anna—An Incident of the March—Moving on Richmond—South of the Pamunkey—Position of the National Army
Author and commander; issues orders for the movement south, directs the feint and crossing, and reads Sherman's dispatch to a plantation lady.
Chapter LV
Author and commander; corresponds with Lee about collecting wounded, orders cessation of assaults, and reflects on the battles.
Left Flank Movement Across the Chickahominy and James—General Lee—Visit to Butler—The Movement on Petersburg—The Investment of Petersburg
Orders the left flank movement across the Chickahominy and James Rivers, directs Sheridan's cavalry raid, and commands the assault on Petersburg.
Chapter LVII
Author and central commander; makes strategic decisions, issues orders, and travels to Monocacy to direct operations.
LVIII
Author and commander, plans the final campaign and visits Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley.
The Battle of Franklin—The Battle of Nashville
Author and commander-in-chief; urged Thomas to attack and considered relieving him.
LXI: Expedition Against Fort Fisher
Author and commander-in-chief, plans and oversees both expeditions against Fort Fisher.
Sherman's March North
Author and commander, coordinating multiple Union armies and approving Sherman's march north.
Arrival of the Peace Commissioners—Lincoln and the Peace Commissioners—An Anecdote of Lincoln—The Winter Before Petersburg—Sheridan Destroys the Railroad—Gordon Carries the Picket Line—Parke Recaptures the Line—The Line of Battle of White Oak Road
Narrator; hosts peace commissioners at City Point, confers with Lincoln, and anxiously awaits spring campaign.
LXIV
As commander, Grant orchestrates the final assault on Petersburg, issues orders to corps commanders, and communicates directly with President Lincoln.
The Capture of Petersburg—Meeting President Lincoln in Petersburg—The Capture of Richmond—Pursuing the Enemy—Visit to Sheridan and Meade
Narrator and commander; makes strategic decisions to cut off Lee's retreat and coordinates with Lincoln and subordinates.
The Correspondence and Surrender at Appomattox
Author and commanding general; initiates correspondence with Lee for surrender, directs troop movements, and records the final campaign.
LXVII: Negotiations at Appomattox
Narrates the surrender negotiations, suffers from a sick headache that vanishes upon receiving Lee's note, and personally meets with Lee to discuss terms.
Morale of the Two Armies—President Lincoln Visits Richmond—President Lincoln's Assassination—President Johnson's Policy
Author and narrator; describes the morale of both armies, the pursuit of Lee, and his evolving views on enfranchisement.
LXIX
Narrator and commander; orders Meade to Burkesville, sends dispatches to Sherman, travels to Raleigh to oversee Johnston's surrender, and reflects on the war's end.
The End of the War — The March to Washington — One of Lincoln’s Anecdotes — Grand Review at Washington — Characteristics of Lincoln and Stanton — Estimate of the Different Corps Commanders
Author and narrator; provides orders for troop movements and reflects on the end of the war.
Conclusion
Author and narrator; reflects on the war's causes, his command, and postwar events.
Appendix
Author of the memoirs; the appendix compiles documents from his command.
Report of Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, of the United States Armies 1864–65
Author of the report; describes his strategic vision and command decisions from 1864 to the end of the war.
Organization Charts—Union and Confederate
Listed as Lieutenant General and Commander-in-Chief of the Union Army.
Union Army on the Rapidan, May 5, 1864
Listed as Lieutenant General and Commander-in-Chief of the Union forces.
Maps
Grant is depicted as a commander who meticulously studies maps to plan his campaigns, often annotating them with troop positions and strategic objectives.
Endnotes
Author of the letters and endnotes; provides strategic orders and recommendations for promotions.
