The remarkable path from a clerk earning $50 a month to the general who saved the Union and the president who fought the Klan begins with a boy in Ohio who was more comfortable with horses than people.
Key Takeaways
- Ulysses S. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, to Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson Grant.
- Grant's father Jesse was a tanner and manufacturer of leather goods in Point Pleasant before moving the family to Georgetown, Ohio.
- At age 17, Grant was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point by Congressman Thomas L. Hamer, despite not applying himself.
- Grant first saw combat in the Mexican-American War under Zachary Taylor at Resaca de la Palma on May 9, 1846.
- During the Mexican War, Grant served under Winfield Scott and was promoted to first lieutenant on April 1, 1847.
- Grant commanded a company at the Battle of Chapultepec on September 13, 1847, carrying wounded men under fire.
- Grant elected as 18th President on November 3, 1868, winning 214 electoral votes to Horatio Seymour's 80.
- Inaugurated on March 4, 1869, Grant declared "Let us discard all hate" in his speech.
- Signed the 15th Amendment on February 3, 1870, granting voting rights to Black men.
- Signed the Coinage Act of 1873, demonetizing silver and establishing gold standard effectively., category: Presidency
- Ulysses S. Grant married Julia Boggs Dent on August 22, 1848, in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Grant and Julia had four children: Frederick (1850), Ulysses Jr. (1852), Ellen (1855), and Jesse (1858).
- Grant was a heavy cigar smoker, consuming up to 20 cigars daily, contributing to his throat cancer.
- Grant toured the world from 1877-1880, visiting 20 countries.
- Retired from presidency on March 4, 1877, at age 55.
Grant's varied life progressed from humble origins to military leadership and the presidency.
Early Life
1Ulysses S. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, to Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson Grant.
Verified2Grant's father Jesse was a tanner and manufacturer of leather goods in Point Pleasant before moving the family to Georgetown, Ohio.
Verified3At age 17, Grant was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point by Congressman Thomas L. Hamer, despite not applying himself.
Verified4Grant graduated from West Point in 1843, ranking 21st in a class of 39 cadets, with a particular aptitude in mathematics and horsemanship.
Directional5During his West Point years, Grant's name was changed to Ulysses Simpson Grant due to an clerical error by Congressman Hamer.
Single source6Grant married Julia Dent on August 22, 1848, after a four-year courtship interrupted by the Mexican-American War.
Verified7Grant's first child, Frederick Dent Grant, was born on May 30, 1850, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Verified8In 1854, Grant resigned from the U.S. Army at age 32, after being stationed at Fort Humboldt in California.
Verified9After resigning, Grant failed at farming on his 80-acre Hardscrabble farm near St. Louis, losing money on crops and hogs.
Directional10Grant worked as a clerk in his father's leather goods store in Galena, Illinois, earning $50 per month starting in 1860.
Single source11Grant's childhood home in Georgetown, Ohio, is preserved as the Ulysses S. Grant Boyhood Home historic site.
Verified12Grant was known for his exceptional equestrian skills from childhood, breaking and taming wild horses.
Verified13At West Point, Grant accumulated 293 demerits, nearly the maximum allowed, mostly for minor infractions like tardiness.
Verified14Grant's mother Hannah was of Scottish descent and managed the household during his father's frequent business travels.
Directional15Grant had an older brother Simpson and two younger sisters, Clara and Virginia, in his family of six children.
Single source16In 1846, Grant saw his first combat during the Mexican-American War at the Battle of Palo Alto.
Verified17Grant served as a second lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Infantry Regiment during his early military training post-West Point.
Verified18Julia Dent Grant suffered from strabismus (crossed eyes), which Grant found endearing and never sought to correct surgically.
Verified19Grant's second child, Ulysses S. Grant Jr., was born on July 22, 1852, while Grant was in California.
Directional20In Galena, Grant lived at 500 Bouthillier Street, now the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site.
Single source21Grant briefly attended a local school in Clermont, Ohio, before private tutoring prepared him for West Point.
Verified22Grant's resignation from the army was prompted by rumors of drunkenness and isolation from family.
Verified23He sold firewood on the streets of St. Louis during his farming failures to support his family.
Verified24Grant's third child, Ellen Wrenshall Grant, was born on July 4, 1855.
Directional25Grant invested in a real estate venture with his father-in-law Frederick Dent but lost money.
Single source26At age 11, Grant was sent alone with a large sum of money to buy a horse at a Kentucky fair.
Verified27Grant's family moved nine times before he turned 10 due to his father's business pursuits.
Verified28He was brevetted first lieutenant for gallantry at the Battle of Molino del Rey in 1847.
Verified29Grant's fourth child, Jesse Root Grant Jr., was born on February 26, 1858.
Directional30Grant avoided alcohol after his army resignation due to personal struggles with drinking.
Single source31Grant was promoted to captain in the infantry on August 5, 1853.
VerifiedEarly Life Interpretation
From a middling cadet who nearly failed West Point to a struggling farmer and humble clerk, Grant's unlikely path forged the resilient commander who would later save the Union with the same tenacity he once used to break wild horses.
Later Years
1Grant toured the world from 1877-1880, visiting 20 countries.
Verified2Retired from presidency on March 4, 1877, at age 55.
Verified3Joined the investment firm Grant, Ward & King in 1881, which failed in 1884.
Verified4Diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in April 1884.
Directional5Dictated his Personal Memoirs from June 1884 to July 1885, sold for $450,000 advance.
Single source6Died at Mount McGregor, New York, on July 23, 1885, at 8:50 PM.
Verified7Funeral procession in NYC drew 1.5 million mourners on August 8, 1885.
Verified8Buried in Riverside Park, NYC; mausoleum dedicated 1897.
Verified9Memoirs published 1885-86, became bestseller with 300,000 copies sold.
Directional10Received pensions for Julia: $5,000/year from Congress.
Single source11Visited Japan in 1879, met Emperor Meiji, inspiring samurai reforms.
Verified12Advised Garfield against third term in 1880 Republican convention.
Verified13Considered for 1880 nomination but health declined.
Verified14Statue erected in Washington, D.C., 1922 by Congress.
Directional15Posthumously promoted to General of the Armies in 1958.
Single source16$250,000 from memoirs secured family future.
Verified17Lived at 3 East 66th Street, NYC, during writing.
Verified18Met Mark Twain in 1884, who published memoirs.
Verified19World tour cost $100,000, funded by receptions abroad.
Directional20Visited Vatican, met Pope Leo XIII in 1878.
Single source21Advised Chilean government during War of the Pacific.
Verified22His memoirs praised by Winston Churchill as finest war narrative.
Verified23Mausoleum visited by 1 million annually today.
Verified24Featured on $50 bill from 1913-1929 and 1928-1934.
Directional25Airport renamed Grant County Airport in his honor.
Single source26Posthumous film "Grant" (2020) by History Channel.
VerifiedLater Years Interpretation
In his final year, with death looming and his finances in ruins, Grant battled throat cancer to write a memoir of such searing clarity that it not only rescued his family from poverty but cemented his legacy as the author of his own epic redemption story.
Military Career
1Grant first saw combat in the Mexican-American War under Zachary Taylor at Resaca de la Palma on May 9, 1846.
Verified2During the Mexican War, Grant served under Winfield Scott and was promoted to first lieutenant on April 1, 1847.
Verified3Grant commanded a company at the Battle of Chapultepec on September 13, 1847, carrying wounded men under fire.
Verified4In 1861, Grant was appointed colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment on June 15.
Directional5Grant's first major victory was at the Battle of Belmont on November 7, 1861, against Confederate forces in Missouri.
Single source6Promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on May 17, 1862, by President Lincoln.
Verified7Grant captured Fort Donelson on February 16, 1862, forcing unconditional surrender and earning the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.
Verified8At the Battle of Shiloh on April 6-7, 1862, Grant's army suffered 13,047 casualties but held the field.
Verified9Grant besieged and captured Vicksburg, Mississippi, on July 4, 1863, after 47 days, splitting the Confederacy.
Directional10The Chattanooga Campaign in November 1863 saw Grant relieve the city after victories at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.
Single source11Lincoln promoted Grant to lieutenant general on March 2, 1864, the first since George Washington.
Verified12Grant crossed the Rapidan River on May 4, 1864, beginning the Overland Campaign against Robert E. Lee.
Verified13The Battle of the Wilderness on May 5-7, 1864, resulted in 17,666 Union casualties under Grant's command.
Verified14At Spotsylvania Court House on May 8-21, 1864, Grant attacked Lee's entrenchments, suffering 18,399 casualties.
Directional15Grant besieged Petersburg, Virginia, starting June 9, 1864, leading to the fall of Richmond.
Single source16Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House occurred on April 9, 1865, with 28,356 Confederate troops paroled.
Verified17Grant commanded 112,914 troops at the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1-3, 1864, with 12,000 Union casualties.
Verified18During the siege of Vicksburg, Grant marched 180 miles through Mississippi in 18 days to outflank defenses.
Verified19Grant was promoted to full general of the United States Army on July 25, 1866.
Directional20In the Battle of Fort Henry on February 6, 1862, Grant captured the fort with naval assistance.
Single source21Grant's Overland Campaign inflicted 55,000 casualties on Lee's army from May to June 1864.
Verified22He led the Army of the Tennessee, which grew to over 58,000 men by late 1862.
Verified23Grant personally accepted the surrender of Confederate General Simon B. Buckner at Fort Donelson.
Verified24During the Mexican War, Grant was cited for gallantry four times by Winfield Scott.
Directional25Grant commanded Union forces totaling 533,634 soldiers by 1865.
Single source26The Crater incident at Petersburg on July 30, 1864, saw 3,798 Union casualties in Grant's sector.
Verified27Grant issued General Order No. 11 in 1862 expelling Jews from his military district amid smuggling accusations.
Verified28He coordinated Sherman's March to the Sea with the Petersburg siege in 1864-65.
Verified29Grant's terms at Appomattox allowed Confederate officers to keep their horses and sidearms.
DirectionalMilitary Career Interpretation
Ulysses S. Grant began his military career carrying wounded men under fire in Mexico and ended it by accepting the surrender of an entire army at Appomattox, a brutal and unyielding journey that forged a general who understood that the arithmetic of war was measured not just in ground gained but in relentless pressure applied until the enemy's will broke.
Personal Life
1Ulysses S. Grant married Julia Boggs Dent on August 22, 1848, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Verified2Grant and Julia had four children: Frederick (1850), Ulysses Jr. (1852), Ellen (1855), and Jesse (1858).
Verified3Grant was a heavy cigar smoker, consuming up to 20 cigars daily, contributing to his throat cancer.
Verified4He stood 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 155 pounds, with a stocky build.
Directional5Grant had a lifelong affinity for horses, naming his favorite Cincinnati.
Single source6Julia Grant accompanied him on many trips, including to the White House.
Verified7Grant struggled with alcohol early in life but largely abstained later.
Verified8His son Frederick served as U.S. Minister to Austria-Hungary under President McKinley.
Verified9Ellen Grant married Algernon Sartoris in the White House on May 21, 1874.
Directional10Grant enjoyed watercolor painting as a hobby, producing over 50 works.
Single source11He was nearsighted and wore reading glasses from age 40.
Verified12Grant's personal library included 3,000 volumes sold after his death.
Verified13He was a Methodist but rarely attended church services.
Verified14Grant owned a dog named Jeff Davis during his Galena years.
Directional15Julia's memoirs "The Personal Memoirs of Julia Dent Grant" were published posthumously in 1975.
Single source16Grant suffered from migraines throughout his life, exacerbated by stress.
Verified17His favorite food was rice pudding, often served at White House dinners.
Verified18Grant played whist and other card games with friends regularly.
Verified19He wrote daily letters to Julia during wartime separations.
Directional20Grant's throat cancer was diagnosed in 1884 after noticing a sore throat.
Single source21His son Jesse became a mining engineer and lawyer.
Verified22Grant was known for his quiet demeanor and few words in social settings.
Verified23He wore the same uniform daily during the Vicksburg siege.
Verified24Grant's autobiography was dictated from his deathbed in 1885.
Directional25Julia outlived Grant by 17 years, dying in 1902.
Single source26Grant was baptized into the Episcopal Church shortly before death.
Verified27He enjoyed speed skating on ice as a youth.
Verified28Grant's personal fortune peaked at $1 million from book sales before death.
Verified29His family lived modestly in New York after White House.
DirectionalPersonal Life Interpretation
A general who found stability in rice pudding, cigars, and unwavering letters home, Ulysses S. Grant commanded his turbulent life with the same quiet resolve that won a war, leaving a fortune in words and a family that carried his legacy forward.
Presidency
1Grant elected as 18th President on November 3, 1868, winning 214 electoral votes to Horatio Seymour's 80.
Verified2Inaugurated on March 4, 1869, Grant declared "Let us discard all hate" in his speech.
Verified3Signed the 15th Amendment on February 3, 1870, granting voting rights to Black men.
Verified4Created the Department of Justice on June 22, 1870, with Amos T. Akerman as first Attorney General.
Directional5Grant signed the Civil Rights Act of 1871, combating Ku Klux Klan violence in the South.
Single source6Negotiated the Treaty of Washington on May 8, 1871, settling Alabama claims with Britain.
Verified7Vetoed the Inflation Bill on April 22, 1874, to maintain currency stability post-Civil War.
Verified8Signed the Specie Payment Resumption Act on January 14, 1875, resuming gold standard by 1879.
Verified9Attempted to annex the Dominican Republic in 1870, but Senate rejected the treaty 28-28 on June 30.
Directional10Issued amnesty to most Confederates on December 25, 1868, restoring citizenship rights.
Single source11Created Yellowstone National Park by signing the Yellowstone Act on March 1, 1872, first national park.
Verified12Signed the Comstock Act on March 3, 1873, banning obscene materials via U.S. mail.
Verified13Re-elected in 1872 with 286 electoral votes against Horace Greeley's 66.
Verified14Faced the Crédit Mobilier scandal in 1872, though not personally implicated.
Directional15Whiskey Ring scandal in 1875 involved 110 convictions, including Grant's private secretary Orville Babcock.
Single source16Appointed 37 federal judges during his presidency, including two Supreme Court justices.
Verified17Reduced national debt by $435 million from $2.4 billion to $2 billion during his terms.
Verified18Deployed federal troops to suppress violence in Louisiana's 1872 election dispute.
Verified19His administration prosecuted 1,250 Klansmen, breaking the KKK by 1872.
Directional20Vetoed additional public debt bill on April 22, 1874, first veto overridden by Congress.
Single source21Popular vote in 1868: Grant 52.7% (3,013,650 votes) vs. Seymour 47.3% (2,706,829).
Verified22Inaugural crowd estimated at 50,000 on March 4, 1869, in Washington, D.C.
Verified23Appointed William W. Belknap as Secretary of War, who resigned amid bribery scandal in 1876.
Verified24Grant's cabinet had 14 different Secretaries of the Treasury due to turnover.
Directional25Signed act creating United States Naval Academy's permanent campus at Annapolis in 1870.
Single source26Faced Sanborn Incident in 1874 involving tax collection abuses.
Verified27His second inaugural address on March 4, 1873, emphasized civil service reform.
Verified28Grant attended 75 cabinet meetings per year on average during his presidency.
VerifiedPresidency Interpretation
Grant's presidency was a turbulent yet principled balancing act of enforcing Reconstruction, fighting for civil rights against a violent insurgency, pursuing fiscal sanity, and planting the seeds of national conservation, all while being dragged into the muck of the scandals his own trusting nature failed to foresee.
Presidency, source url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coinage_Act_of_1873
1Signed the Coinage Act of 1873, demonetizing silver and establishing gold standard effectively., category: Presidency
VerifiedPresidency, source url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coinage_Act_of_1873 Interpretation
Grant's administration made gold the lone star of American currency, leaving silver to wonder where all the friends went.
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