Presented by Gen. Grant (Dr. Curt Fields, Historian)
Location: UNT Health Science Center, MET Building, 1000 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth 76107
Dinner: 6 PM Program: 7PM
Dinner Menu: Pan Seared Chicken Breast with Poblano Sauce, Roasted Vegetables, Spanish Rice, Assorted Desserts– $20 per person – RSVP to jimrosenthal5757@aol.com or call or text 817-307-9263.
In early 1864 President Abraham Lincoln had a dilemma – the War was in it’s third year. The Union Army was stymied in the East by a lack of victories and a very determined foe – led by Gen. Robert E. Lee. He had a very successful General in the West by the name of Ulysses S. Grant who had led the Army to victories at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg and Chattanooga. He was a “winner” and as Lincoln had said earlier in the War when Grant was criticized for drinking – “I can’t spare this man. He fights.”
Lincoln believed that Grant was the man to lead the Union Army. There was one big problem – General George Gordon Meade -the “hero of Gettysburg” was the commander of the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln could not replace him. What to do?
The answer was to make Grant the General of all the Union armies. Instead of being in Washington he was going to be in the field “with Meade.” To do this he had to have a higher rank than Meade. Thus the revival of the rank of Lieutenant General. The last person to have that rank was George Washington. Pretty big shoes to fill.
But Grant got to work immediately and started the “Overland Campaign”. When the Union lost the first battle (the Wilderness), he didn’t retreat as his predecessors had always done. He ordered the Army to move South to pursue the Rebels. And he kept the pressure on until the surrender at Appomattox.
It is a fascinating story! We are fortunate to have General Grant (Dr, Curt Fields) to tell it. Curt is not a stranger to our group. His presentations are well researched, solid history. And his appearance, voice and message are as good as General Grant himself. This would be a great meeting to bring a guest. See you on the 12th!