on this page are three photographs of
General Grant, taken in the most critical year of his career, the year when he took
Vicksburg in July, then in November gazed in wonder at his own soldiers as they swarmed up the heights of
Missionary Ridge.
The following March he was made General-in-chief of the armies of the United States. Congress passed a vote of thanks to
General Grant and his army, and ordered a gold medal to be struck in his honor.
But as we see him here, none of these honors had come to him; and the deeds themselves were only in process of accomplishment.
Even
Sherman, the staunch friend and supporter of
Grant, had doubts which were only dispelled by the master stroke at
Vicksburg, as to the outcome of
Grant's extraordinary methods and plans.
He was himself conscious of the heavy responsibility resting upon him and of the fact that he stood on trial before the country.
Other faithful generals had been condemned at the bar of public opinion before their projects matured.
The eyes in these portraits are stern, and the expressions intense.
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Portrait of 1863—showing Grant in repose |
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Portrait of 1863—showing Grant in repose |
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