There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.

George H. President Grant effectively enforced the Civil Rights of Southern freedmen through the use of Justice Department in coordination with the U. Thomas and Army of the Cumberland under order from Grant overtook Confederate picket trenches at the base of Missionary Ridge.

Grant's two consecutive terms as President stabilized the nation after the American Civil War and during the turbulent Reconstruction period that followed. Grant won passage of the Fifteenth Amendment; giving constitutional protection for African-American voting rights. Upset over uncontrolled violence in the South and having desired to protect African American citizenship President Grant effectively destroyed the Ku Klux Klan in 1871.