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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. On ____________, Grant issued a series of orders, including an order sending John A. McClernand to the right wing, Sherman to the left, and James B. McPherson at the middle.

2. Why did Grant object to attending West Point?

3. In Chapter 29, troops supporting Grant at Corinth were moved out and Grant said it put him in the unenviable position of being what?

4. Grant believed that "a _______________ advance to Atlanta, to Vicksburg, or to any other desired point south" would have been possible, but the advantage was not pressed.

5. In Chapter 31, Grant's headquarters were moved to ___________ Springs.

Short Essay Questions

1. Grant said that once the City of Mexico fell, it seemed that a long-term occupation would be necessary. Why might he believe this?

2. Prior to the Mexican War, Grant noted that the presence of U.S. soldiers was supposed to provoke an attack by the Mexicans but it did not. Why might they not have attacked?

3. How does Grant contrast General Scott with General Taylor?

4. Grant attended a bull fight. How did he feel about this? Why might he have felt this way?

5. Grant believed that a "bloodless advance to Atlanta, to Vicksburg, or to any other desired point south of Corinth" would have been possible, but the advantage was never pressed. Why not?

6. How did Grant feel about his men? How might he have benefited from this?

7. Grant was named Brigadier-General and said he was surprised by the promotion. Why might he have been surprised?

8. Grant asked to be assigned to the cavalry but was assigned to the infantry. What is the difference between these two military groups? Why might he have wanted to be a part of the cavalry?

9. As Grant journeyed to Memphis, he encountered a Union loyalist who warned him of a neighbor who was a Southern sympathizer. What does this reveal about the difficulties involved in fighting a civil war?

10. Grant describes the pressure of public opinion. How is public opinion even more important in military operations today?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Grant tells a story about Confederate Commander Bragg.

Part 1) Summarize this story. Why does Grant tell this story? What does it say about Bragg? What does the telling of this story also say about Grant?

Part 2) How might Bragg's attitude, based on this story, have affected the decisions he made and the ultimate loss of the Confederacy?

Part 3) What message is Grant trying to get across through this story about Bragg? What can you personally learn from it?

Essay Topic 2

Grant planned on doing a short stint in the military before going into teaching.

Part 1) How did Grant feel about military life early one? Why did he feel this way? How did his feelings about the military change throughout his life? Why did his feelings change?

Part 2) Why might Grant have been interested in teaching? How is this desire to be a teacher seen in the way he led, encouraged, and urged his men during the Civil War?

Part 3) How have plans for your own life altered as you have grown older? How have your feelings changed regarding certain topics? Why? How can you relate to the changes that took place in Grant's life?

Essay Topic 3

The women living during the Civil War are mentioned several times during this book.

Part 1) Describe the times when these women are mentioned. Based on this information, how did many women spend their time during the Civil War? How did they support their cause?

Part 2) Based on Grant's description of these women, what might have been his opinion of them and their plight as the mothers, wives, sisters, and friends of men in the war?

Part 3) How has the role of women during war time changed since the Civil War? Why has this role changed? In what other ways has the role of American women changed since the nineteenth century? How are you and your friends affected by the changes that have taken place regarding the role of women in American society?

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