Ulysses S. Grant was a U.S. general and commander of the Union armies who went on to serve as the 18th president of the United States (1869–77). He played a very important role as an army officer during the ‘American Civil War’ and worked closely with President Abraham Lincoln to defeat the Confederates. Born to a businessman, he was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps by taking up his tannery business. However, since he displayed no interest in business, his father enrolled him to the ‘United States Military Academy’ at West Point. Though he was good at mathematics and geology, he did not perform well at the academy and earned only average grades. He proved to be exceptionally skilled at handling horses and gained a reputation as a proficient horseman. Following his graduation, he fought in the ‘Mexican-American War’ and retired from the army. Post his retirement, he tried his hand at a number of businesses but failed to find success. When the ‘American Civil War’ erupted, he returned to his army career and impressed President Lincoln with his abilities. Eventually, Grant entered politics and served as the president for two consecutive terms.