In the span of a few months, Ulysses S. Grant went from the Colonel of a regiment marching after shadows to a General launching an attack of his own design against a powerful Confederate fortress. It would take time to grow into the role of the Union’s premier general, but at Belmont, he proved the potential was there.
This remarkably change came due to the support of Major General John C. Fremont and Congressman Elihu Washburne. If nothing else, the United States owes both of those men a debt of gratitude for their perception.
In addition, the nation owes Confederate General Leonidas Polk a small debt for occupying parts of Kentucky and thereby practically gift-wrapping the state for Abraham Lincoln. Before 1861 ended, the entire border region lay in Union hands, with dire consequences for the Confederacy.
