Table of Contents
Ulysses S. Grant
Birth Name
Ulysses S. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio. A clerical error during his nomination to West Point changed his name to Ulysses S. Grant, and he kept it.1)
West Point
Grant attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1843. He was a middling student, ranking 21st out of 39.2)
Nickname
Grant earned the nickname “Uncle Sam Grant” at West Point due to his initials “U.S.,” leading to the widely recognized initials “U.S.” in his name.3)
First Assignment
After West Point, Grant was assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry Regiment, stationed at Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, Missouri.4)
Marriage
In 1848, Grant married Julia Dent, whom he met while stationed at Jefferson Barracks. They had four children together.5)
Mexican-American War
Grant served in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) under Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, gaining valuable military experience.6)
Civilian Struggles
After resigning from the Army in 1854, Grant struggled to make a living as a farmer and in other civilian jobs. He was not particularly successful and often faced financial difficulties.7)
Rejoining the Army
With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Grant rejoined the Army, initially serving as a colonel of volunteers.8)
First Major Victory
Grant's first major victory came at Fort Donelson in Tennessee in February 1862, where he famously demanded “unconditional surrender” from the Confederate forces.9)
Promotion
After his success at Fort Donelson, Grant was promoted to major general of volunteers.10)
Battle of Shiloh
Grant led Union forces at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862, one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. Despite heavy losses, the Union emerged victorious.11)
Vicksburg Campaign
Grant's successful campaign to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863 was a turning point in the Civil War, giving the Union control of the Mississippi River.12)
Nickname
Due to his success, Grant earned the nickname “The Butcher” for his willingness to engage in total war and suffer heavy casualties to achieve victory.13)
Lieutenant General
In March 1864, President Abraham Lincoln promoted Grant to lieutenant general, making him the first person to hold that rank since George Washington.14)
Overland Campaign
Grant led the Union Army in the Overland Campaign in 1864, marked by brutal battles such as the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor.15)
Siege of Petersburg
Grant's forces laid siege to Petersburg, Virginia, from June 1864 to April 1865, ultimately leading to the fall of Richmond and the end of the Civil War.16)
Appomattox
Grant accepted Confederate General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Civil War.17)
Magnanimous Terms
Grant offered generous surrender terms to Lee’s army, allowing them to return home with their horses and personal weapons.18)
Post-War Hero
Grant became a national hero after the Civil War and was widely celebrated throughout the country.19)
Presidency
Ulysses S. Grant was elected as the 18th President of the United States in 1868 and served two terms from 1869 to 1877.20)
Reconstruction
As president, Grant supported Reconstruction and the protection of African American rights in the South, including the passage of the 15th Amendment.21)
Ku Klux Klan
Grant took strong action against the Ku Klux Klan during his presidency, signing the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, which allowed for federal intervention to suppress the group.22)
Civil Service Reform
Grant initiated civil service reforms to combat the widespread corruption in government jobs.23)
Alaska
During Grant's presidency, the United States completed the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, although the process began under President Andrew Johnson.24)
Panic of 1873
Grant's presidency was marred by the Panic of 1873, a severe economic depression that led to widespread unemployment and financial instability.25)
Whiskey Ring Scandal
The Whiskey Ring scandal, in which government officials and whiskey distillers conspired to defraud the federal government of tax revenues, tarnished Grant's presidency.26)
Native American Policy
Grant's “Peace Policy” aimed to reduce military conflict with Native American tribes and placed many reservations under the control of Christian missionaries.27)
Foreign Relations
Grant's administration successfully resolved the Alabama Claims with Great Britain, securing compensation for damages caused by British-built Confederate ships during the Civil War.28)
Third Term Attempt
After leaving office, Grant considered running for a third term in 1880 but ultimately did not receive the Republican nomination.29)
World Tour
After his presidency, Grant embarked on a world tour from 1877 to 1879, visiting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, where he was warmly received.30)
Financial Ruin
In 1884, Grant lost nearly all of his savings in a financial scandal involving his investment partner, Ferdinand Ward, who ran a Ponzi scheme.31)
Memoirs
To support his family, Grant wrote his memoirs, which are considered one of the greatest works of American literature. He completed them shortly before his death.32)
Mark Twain
The famous author Mark Twain helped Grant publish his memoirs, which were a financial success and provided for his family after his death.33)
Death
Ulysses S. Grant died of throat cancer on July 23, 1885, at the age of 63.34)
National Mourning
Grant’s death prompted a period of national mourning. His funeral in New York City was one of the largest public gatherings in the country’s history at that time.35)
Grant's Tomb
Grant is buried in Grant's Tomb in New York City, the largest mausoleum in North America.36)
Honest Reputation
Despite the scandals during his presidency, Grant was known for his personal honesty and integrity.37)
Reluctant President
Grant was initially reluctant to run for president and only agreed to do so out of a sense of duty.38)
Horses
Grant was an exceptional horseman and had a lifelong love of horses. He was known for his ability to calm even the most unruly horses.39)
Military Strategy
Grant is credited with developing and implementing the strategy of “total war,” which targeted not only enemy armies but also the economic infrastructure supporting them.40)
Vetoes
Grant used the presidential veto power more frequently than any of his predecessors, vetoing 93 bills during his two terms.41)
Union Square Statue
A statue of Grant on horseback stands in New York City’s Union Square, commemorating his role in the Civil War.42)
Currency
Ulysses S. Grant’s portrait has appeared on the U.S. $50 bill since 1913.43)
National Parks
Grant signed the act establishing the first national park, Yellowstone, in 1872.44)
Diverse Cabinet
Grant’s cabinet included the first Jewish-American Cabinet member, Secretary of the Treasury Benjamin Bristow, and the first Native American to hold a federal office, Ely S. Parker, as Commissioner of Indian Affairs.45)