Grant: General And President Ii Poem by Robert Founder

He was all that Lee was not
A shorter and record tarnished soldier
Lee the perfect cadet at West Point
Poor Grant barely makes it through.

The way he wooed his wife as though a war.
The way he built his own farm house from scratch.
The way he resigned his Captain’s Commission
The way he worked for his father and brother.

The way he volunteered in the Mexican War,
To ride a horse for help through enemy lines.
The way he pushed his army to the breaking point.
The way he wore down the most steadfast enemy.

The way he waged peace, and waged war.
His kind heart, yet cold-hearted warring.
His daring Inchon-like invasion of Vicksburg.
His relentless pursuit of the Army of NOVA

His presidency was attacked relentlessly,
Yet he was America at its best,
Always moving fast on a swift horse,
Toward some achievable goal.

With muddy boots he gave Lee generous terms;
Spotless General Lee with his jeweled sword:
And ordered celebrations of victory stopped,
Yet Gen. Lee and the South never accepted defeat.

Lincoln was shot to death and the peace plans died,
The nation had fallen the son of a Tanner from Galena,
A failed shopkeeper, and an unsuccessful farmer,
A hardscrabble victor in a difficult war to win.