Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts

In this essay, Bruce Cotton compares two great generals that brought the civil war its virtual finish. They were two strong different men which represented the strengths of two conflicting currents that, through them, had come into final collision. The author describes how similar and different Grant and Lee were in background, personality and aspirations. Lee was tidewater Virginian, who embodied the element and traditions of aristocratic ideas. On the other side, Grant was the son of the western frontier who embodied the shape of the man that grew up beyond the mountain. What is more, Lee stood for proper order of human society and social structure. Grant on the contrary, was a man who stood for democracy and not for forms and social patterns. In spite of their differences, they were similar strong men, and strong warrior whit the ability to think faster and run away faster from the enemy. I think that both were extraordinary men and they differences are due to the way they grew up. I recognize in both two important characteristics. They were important leaders and were so intelligent to signing the peace.