General Ulysses S. Grant was a prominent military leader during the American Civil War. Born on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Grant gained fame for his strategic victories, particularly at the battles of Vicksburg and Shiloh, which were crucial in turning the tide of the war in favor of the Union. After the Civil War, Grant served as the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877. His presidency focused on Reconstruction and civil rights for freed slaves, although it was marred by political scandals. Grant's legacy remains significant in American history.