Summary

Chapter 14 describes Grant’s continuing rise in prominence following his victory at Vicksburg. Vicksburg was a major victory for the Union, delivering control of the Mississippi River, severely hampering the South’s ability to supply its army, and serving a major morale boost to the Union population. Appropriately, Grant was lauded as a national hero, promoted to the rank of Major General, and allowed to correspond directly with President Lincoln. Partly due to Grant’s assistance, Lincoln was becoming better at choosing competent commanders, allowing Union armies throughout the country to be more effective. After meeting a grateful Secretary Stanton in Washington, D.C., Grant was given autonomous command of a massive military district, spanning between the Mississippi River and the Appalachian Mountains. Though delayed temporarily by hot weather and a riding injury, Grant quickly set out to rescue a Union force surrounded...