Welcome to The Deep Dive, your shortcut to being
truly well -informed. We take a stack of sources,
extract the most important nuggets, and then
unpack them with just enough humor and surprising
facts to keep you hooked. Exactly. And today,
we're plunging into the life of one of American
history's most complex and frankly most misunderstood
figures, Ulysses S. Grant. He really is. He's
the celebrated general who quite literally saved
the union, but also a president whose administration
was, well, notoriously plagued by scandal. And
on a personal level, his life was just this powerful
testament to both incredible resilience and profound,
really devastating financial struggles. Absolutely.
His historical reputation has been a complete
roller coaster from national hero to a figure
of scorn. And now in our modern era, a really
fascinating rehabilitation. It's a compelling
journey. truly. You see him as this symbol of
unity at the end of the Civil War, then grappling
with the immense challenges of a divided nation
during Reconstruction, all while facing these
personal battles that, honestly, would have broken
lesser individuals. Understanding Grant means
confronting the full spectrum of the human experience
and how that shapes a leader. Definitely. So
our mission today, drawing from a rich stack
of biographical excerpts and historical analyses
you've provided, is to go beyond those easy headlines.
Yeah, get into the weeds a bit. We're here to
uncover the surprising facts, the pivotal moments,
and the enduring insights from Grant's life.
We want to understand not just what happened,
but why it matters, and how his story continues
to resonate today, offering you that shortcut
to a truly well -informed perspective. Okay,
let's do it. So let's unpack this from the very
beginning. The man we know as Ulysses S. Grant
wasn't actually born with those famous initials,
was he? That's right. No, he entered the world
on April 27th, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio as
Hiram Ulysses Grant. Hiram Ulysses. Yeah. His
parents were Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson
Grant. And it's an interesting detail that his
father, Jesse, was not only a strong supporter
of the Whig Party, a major political force back
then, but also, quite significantly, a fervent
abolitionist. a really strong opponent of slavery.
And that stance, it really foreshadows some of
Grant's own later convictions and actions, doesn't
it? Absolutely. It sets a kind of moral backdrop
for his upbringing. And the name change itself
is such a human, almost accidental detail that
permanently altered his identity. He went by
Hiram Ulysses, but when he was nominated to West
Point by Representative Thomas L. Hammer, there
was a clerical error. A mistake on the form.
Exactly. He was enlisted as U .S. Grant. And
the story goes that he just stuck with it to
avoid having the initials H -U -G on his trunk,
which he, you know, feared would lead to endless
teasing. Can you blame him? H -U -G at West Point?
Yeah, maybe not. It's a small, relatable moment
that forever changed how the world would know
him. And it led to another interesting identifier.
Among his army colleagues, he quickly became
known as Sam because U .S. could also stand for
Uncle Sam. Ah, okay. So these seemingly minor
personal details, they really add layers to the
legendary figure he became, showing us the boy
and the man before the icon. Growing up in Georgetown,
Ohio with five younger siblings, he sounds like
he was a quiet kid. He went to various schools,
but there was one truly remarkable talent that
emerged early on, something almost prodigious.
His horsemanship. Definitely. From a very young
age, Grant developed this unusual, almost innate
ability to ride and manage horses. It wasn't
just a skill, it was apparently a profound connection.
Right. His father, recognizing this exceptional
talent, put him to work driving supply wagons.
And this foundational ability, cultivated during
his youth, would later prove absolutely invaluable
in his military career. His understanding of
cavalry, logistics, it became a defining strength.
It wasn't just writing, it was like a deep comprehension
of these animals that few possess. Exactly. And
that understanding translated directly to military
effectiveness later. It's also striking that,
unlike his siblings, his Methodist parents didn't
force him to attend church. He prayed privately
and never officially joined any denomination,
which led some, including his own son, apparently,
to view him as agnostic. Yeah, that definitely
handset an independent spirit from an early age,
doesn't it? A man who thought for himself rather
than simply accepting received wisdom. And politically,
before the Civil War, he was pretty apolitical,
but he did acknowledge he would have identified
with the Whigs if he had any strong sympathies,
mostly because of his father's influence, it
seems. That independent streak and his sort of
apolitical nature before the war are key to understanding
his later decisions, I think. He wasn't driven
by partisan ideology early on, but by a deeper,
evolving sense of duty and what he believed was
fundamentally right for the country. A moral
compass rather than just party affiliation. Right.
That often guided his most crucial choices. Which
leads us to West Point. He ended up there at
his father's insistence, nominated in the spring
of 1839. But it wasn't exactly his dream job,
was it? He was a reluctant cadet. Not at all.
He was initially indifferent, maybe even somewhat
resentful of military life. He even reconsidered
leaving within a year. Really? Yeah, though he
later wrote that he grew to like this place very
much. But despite his personal reservations,
he excelled in practical skills, notably earning
a reputation as the most proficient horseman
in his class. Which goes back to that early gift,
right? Exactly. A clear testament to that talent
we discussed. And here's another surprising facet
of his personality that often gets overlooked.
He spent more time reading books from the library
than his academic texts, and even studied under
the romantic artist Robert Walter Weir. He produced
nine surviving artworks. That offers such a vivid
glimpse into his inner world, doesn't it? It
shows a contemplative, perhaps even artistic
side, far beyond the military discipline we typically
associate with him. Yeah, it adds a whole other
dimension. It truly speaks to a curiosity and
intellectual depth often overshadowed by his
military achievements. He wasn't just a soldier,
he was a learner and an observer, traits that
would serve him well in understanding complex
situations later on. His time there, even with
that initial reluctance, clearly shaped his strategic
mind and broadened his perspective. Definitely.
He graduated on June 30, 1843, ranking 21st out
of 39 in his class. Not stellar, but solid. And
he still planned to resign after his four -year
term. In fact, he famously said that one of the
happiest days of his life was the day he left
the Academy. Right, alongside the day he left
the presidency. Which says something. It really
does. Yet despite his incredible horsemanship,
he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment,
not the cavalry. Which seems odd. A bit counterintuitive,
yeah. His first post was Jefferson Barracks near
St. Louis, Missouri, then the nation's largest
military base in the West. He was apparently
content with his commander, but still openly
looked forward to a civilian teaching career.
It really shows how much his life took an unexpected
turn away from his initial desires. This early
period is crucial because it underscores that
Grant wasn't a born military man in the conventional
sense. He effectively stumbled into it. His initial
desires were for a quiet civilian life. And this
reluctance provides such a powerful counterpoint
to his later emergence as this military genius.
He was happy enough with his command, but he
truly envisioned a life outside of the army.
A life that personal circumstances would soon
dramatically alter. So his plans for civilian
life were well underway. But then, as it often
does, love intervened. He met Julia Dent in 1844,
the sister of a West Point friend, and they quickly
became engaged. and they married on August 22,
1848, at Julia's home in St. Louis. But this
wedding had a very telling detail, didn't it?
Something that foreshadowed the great schism
to come. It did. Grant's staunchly abolitionist
father strongly disapproved because the Dents
owned slaves. Right, and neither of Grant's parents
attended the wedding. This deeply personal family
division over slavery just illustrates the profound,
pervasive societal schisms that were already
tearing at the fabric of the nation, even within
individual households. In that detail about his
best man. Oh, yeah. In a poignant detail of shared
history, his best man was James Longstreet, Julia's
cousin, who would later serve as a prominent
Confederate general. And would ultimately surrender
to Grant at Appomattox. Just... Incredible. You
really couldn't make it up. So after marriage
with a wife and eventually a growing family to
support, they had four children, Frederick, Ulysses
Junior, Buck, Ellen, Nellie, and Jesse the second.
Right. Grant obtained an extension to his leave
and then decided to remain in the army, altering
his earlier plans for a civilian life. It was
a pivotal choice that, in hindsight, dramatically
shaped his entire future and, by extension, the
nation's. Absolutely. Had he not decided to stay
in the army for his family, the course of American
history might have been very, very different.
It's a recurring theme with Grant. Personal circumstances
often pushed him into roles where his latent
talents could then shine, even if he didn't initially
seek them out. And those talents truly began
to be forged in the crucible of the Mexican -American
War. His unit was stationed in Louisiana, and
he experienced combat for the first time at the
Battle of Palo Alto in May 1846. He served as
regimental quartermaster, a logistical role,
but he really yearned for a combat role, eventually
leading a charge at the Battle of Resaca de la
Palma. And he even demonstrated that remarkable
equestrian ability at the Battle of Monterrey,
carrying a dispatch by hanging off the side of
his horse to avoid snipers. That's a cinematic
image, isn't it? Showcasing his innate bravery
and skill. And it speaks volumes about his character.
For his bravery at Molino del Rey, he was breveted,
given that temporary, honorary promotion to First
Lieutenant. OK. And then captain at San Cosme,
where he cleverly directed men to reassemble
a mountain howitzer in a church steeple to bombard
Mexican troops below. These weren't just promotions.
They were clear recognitions of his initiative
and tactical thinking under fire. demonstrating
his natural aptitude for command. He really emerged
from this war as a seasoned officer, studying
the tactics of Major General Zachary Taylor and
General Winfield Scott. Two of the era's most
respected commanders. He later wrote in his memoirs
that this is how he learned much about military
leadership, particularly identifying his own
style with Taylor's more pragmatic approach.
But what's truly fascinating here is how his
role as an assistant quartermaster, initially
disliked, proved to be such an invaluable training
ground. It's a classic example, isn't it? How
seemingly mundane duties can provide profound
lessons. That quartermaster role taught him the
critical importance of military supply routes,
transportation, logistics, all the behind the
scenes stuff that wins wars. Exactly. He recognized
that wars could be won or lost by factors far
beyond the immediate battlefield, particularly
the challenge of provisioning a large mobile
army operating in hostile territory. This understanding
of the logistical underpinnings of warfare would
become a hallmark of his immense success in the
Civil War. It gave him an edge few other generals
possessed. And he didn't just come away with
military experience. In retrospect, Grant viewed
the Mexican War as morally unjust, didn't he?
He did. He believed its territorial gains were
designed primarily to expand slavery. He even
opined that the Civil War, then still years away,
was divine punishment for US aggression against
Mexico. Wow. That really shows his evolving moral
compass, even at that early stage, and his deepening
discomfort with the institution of slavery, despite
his personal connections to it through Julia's
family. It truly highlights his deep capacity
for introspection and a developing moral conscience
regarding slavery. This internal conflict and
conviction would greatly inform his actions later
as president. After the war, his assignments
took him and Julia through a series of increasingly
isolated postings. Detroit, then Madison Barracks,
a desolate outpost in upstate New York. Sounds
grim. Yeah, before he was sent to Panama and
then to the Oregon territory. While in Panama,
during a devastating cholera epidemic, he even
demonstrated remarkable humanitarian action.
He organized a field hospital, personally nursed
the sick when orderlies protested, earned high
praise for it. It speaks to his underlying character,
his willingness to step up in a crisis, and his
compassion. However, this period also saw the
beginning of significant personal struggles.
He tried several business ventures but failed,
losing, what was it, $800 to a dishonest partner.
A lot of money back then. Equivalent to maybe
$23 ,000 today. And he also witnessed firsthand
white agents cheating local Native Americans,
saw their devastation by diseases, which profoundly
developed his empathy for their plight. another
thread that would become critical during his
presidency. He was promoted to captain in 1853
and assigned to command at Fort Humboldt in California.
But separated from his family for long stretches,
a common issue in the frontier army, he began
to drink. Yeah, this is a difficult part of his
story. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel
Robert C. Buchanan, reprimanded him. basically
told him to resign or reform. An ultimatum. Pretty
much. Grant, facing this, resigned. Perfective
July 31st, 1854. He later admitted that the vice
of intemperance had not a little to do with my
decision to resign. But he faced no court martial,
and the War Department's official record simply
stated, nothing stands against his good name.
Right. Historians continue to debate the full
extent of his drinking during this period, but
it was undeniably a very difficult chapter for
him. His personal struggles, exacerbated by the
isolation from his beloved family and a profound
lack of fulfillment in his military duties at
the time, it all combined to create a period
of deep vulnerability. It's a testament to his
later strength and, you know, the enduring support
of Julia that he overcame these challenges and
emerged a stronger leader. Definitely. For seven
years then, from 1854 to 1861, Grant struggled
financially to support his growing family. His
father, Jesse, offered him a place in the family's
thriving leather business. Which sounds like
a lifeline. It does, but Grant declined because
it required Julia and the children to live separately,
a choice that really speaks volumes about his
dedication to his family. So he turned to farming,
even with the help of Julia's slave, Dan, but
it was unsuccessful. He even resorted to selling
firewood on St. Louis street corners. That just
paints such a picture of his desperation and
the depths of his poverty during this period.
It's a stark almost unbelievable contrast to
the man who would later lead armies in a nation.
In 1856, they built a home called Hard Scrabble
on Julia's father's farm, which Julia herself
described as an unattractive cabin. Hard Scrabble.
The name says it all, really. It does. During
the Panic of 1857, a severe economic downturn,
he even pawned his gold watch just to buy Christmas
gifts for his children. This period of poverty
and civilian struggle is crucial context for
understanding the man who would later lead the
Union Army. It speaks volumes about his resilience
and his capacity for reinvention born out of
sheer necessity and that powerful drive to provide
for his family. Absolutely. And this era also
raises that important question. How did his personal
firsthand experience with slavery? through Julia's
family, influenced his later actions as president.
Especially on civil rights. Right. In 1858, he
acquired a slave, William Jones, from his father
-in -law. Although not an abolitionist at the
time, Grant disliked slavery intensely and, crucially,
could not bring himself to force Jones to work,
which is significant. And then, in March 1859,
Grant freed Jones by a menumission deed, that
legal document granting freedom, an act potentially
worth at least $1 ,000 back then. Equivalent
to maybe $35 ,000 today. A huge sum for someone
struggling like he was. It was a deeply personal
decision that put his emerging moral values above
significant financial gain, especially given
his precarious financial situation. This act
reveals a moral core that was fundamentally at
odds with the institution of slavery, even before
the war definitively shaped his views. Shows
he was willing to make a personal sacrifice for
a deeply held belief. He continued to struggle
through these years, though, failed in a real
estate partnership, got passed over for a county
engineer position. Apparently because of perceived
democratic sympathies stemming from his father
-in -law's politics. But then in April 1860,
a glimmer of hope. He moved his family to Galena,
Illinois, joining his father's leather goods
business. And within months, he paid off his
debts and established himself as a reputable
citizen. It was a brief period of stability,
a moment of respite before everything changed
again. and the nation itself plunged into chaos.
This period of civilian struggles and poverty,
it offers such crucial context for understanding
the man who would later leave the Union Army.
It speaks profoundly to his resilience, his capacity
for reinvention, and his deeply personal motivations.
He knew what it meant to face adversity and overcome
it. A quality that would soon be tested on the
largest stage imaginable and change it did dramatically.
April 12, 1861, Confederate troops attacked Fort
Sumter. The Civil War began. Lincoln immediately
called for volunteers. Grant, who had actually
voted for Democrat James Buchanan in 56, and
preferred Stephen Douglas in 60, fearing a civil
war. Right. He wasn't initially aligned with
the Republicans. No. But now he was profoundly
stirred by patriotic resolve. He attended recruitment
meetings and was particularly moved by John Aaron
Rollins' speech, writing, We have a government
and laws and a flag, and they must all be sustained.
There are but two parties now, traitors and patriots.
Wow, that statement marks such a definitive and
powerful shift in his perspective. From being
largely apolitical and even fearful of civil
war, he now saw the conflict in stark, moral
terms. Prioritizing the preservation of the Union
and the rule of law above all else, this newfound
clarity of purpose, unburdened by earlier partisan
leanings, would define his military career. After
initial rejections for a senior rank, a testament
to how far his reputation had perhaps fallen
after his resignation, he was appointed military
aid to Governor Richard Yates. He effectively
mustered 10 regiments. Then, with the crucial
aid of Congressman Elihu B. Washburn, he was
appointed Colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteer
Infantry Regiment in June 1861, and he immediately
brought much -needed order and discipline to
the raw unit. Just a few months later, August
5th, with Washburn's continued support, Grant
was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers
and placed in command of the District of Southeastern
Missouri. His meteoric rise, born of crisis,
had truly begun. His ability to quickly instill
discipline and organization in a volunteer regiment
was immediately recognized as invaluable. This
early success, demonstrating his innate leadership
qualities, rapidly set the stage for his emergence
as a commander who could bring order and effectiveness
where others struggled. And he wasted no time
making his mark, displaying a boldness that would
become his trademark. Without waiting for his
superior, Major General Fremont's reply, he advanced
on Paducah, Kentucky. A strategically vital point.
Took it without a fight on September 6th. 1861,
and he famously assured the citizens, I have
come among you, not as your enemy, but as your
friend, understanding the vital importance of
keeping Kentucky neutral. Smart political move,
too. Then on November 7, 1861, he engaged Confederates
at the Battle of Belmont, though the Union Army
initially took the camp. They were forced into
a chaotic retreat. But despite the tactical retreat,
the battle gave his largely inexperienced volunteers
much needed confidence and combat experience.
These early actions, marked by initiative and
pragmatism, showed his willingness to seize opportunities
and his keen understanding of the political dimensions
of the war. He was a general who learned rapidly
and effectively. Which brings us to a crucial
point in his early military career. Forts Henry
and Donaldson. Grant and his Lieutenant Colonel
James B. McPherson planned this daring strategy.
right to bypass the heavily fortified Confederate
stronghold of Columbus and instead move swiftly
against Fort Henry on the Tennessee River than
Fort Donelson on the Cumberland. The goal, open
both rivers for Union access deep into the Confederate
heartland. An audacious plan. Very. Admiral Andrew
Holfoot's gunboats forced Fort Henry's surrender
on February 6 before Grant's infantry even arrived.
A quick victory. But the real test came at Fort
Donelson. Indeed. After securing Fort Henry,
Grant immediately ordered an assault on Fort
Donelson. The battle is fierce. Initial Union
setbacks. A desperate Confederate attack threatened
to break his lines. High stick. Absolutely. It
was here that Grant famously rode back, rallied
his commanders with decisive orders, and blocked
the crucial Nashville road, effectively trapping
the Confederates back within the fort. And the
outcome was legendary. February 16th, Confederate
generals John B. Floyd and Gideon J. Pillow,
seeing no escape, fled undercover of darkness,
leaving Simon Bolivar Buckner in command. Buckner,
a former West Point classmate of Grant's, no
less. He submitted to Grant's unequivocal demand
for unconditional and immediate surrender. And
that was it, the first major Union victory of
the war, capturing over 12 ,000 Confederates,
opening critical waterways. This moment solidified
his reputation. The Northern press, playing off
his initials, immediately began calling him Unconditional
Surrender Grant. Became his iconic nickname.
Perfectly encapsulating his resolute approach.
But even with such a crucial victory, political
intrigue was brewing. General Henry W. Halleck,
Grant's superior, accused him of neglect and
inefficiency. Even brought up the drinking rumors
again. Yeah, claimed. Word has just reached me
that Grant has resumed his bad habits. But President
Lincoln famously dismissed these critics, saying,
I can't spare this man. He fights. Which truly
shows Lincoln's keen judgment of character and
military effectiveness, prioritizing results
over rumor. He understood Grant delivered. Exactly.
This was a critical endorsement that allowed
Grant to continue his rise. However, his next
major engagement, Shiloh, was a far costlier
victory. a brutal awakening. Reinstated and promoted
to Major General of Volunteers, Grant advanced
with the Army of the Tennessee. Stationed at
Pittsburgh Landing, his largely inexperienced
troops didn't prepare defensive fortifications.
And his subordinate, William T. Sherman, dismissed
reports of nearby Confederates. Big mistake.
Huge. On April 6, 1862, Confederate forces under
Generals Albert Sidney Johnston and P .G .T.
Beauregard launched a devastating surprise attack
near Shiloh Church, forced a confused Union retreat.
It was chaos. A shocking bloodbath. Shiloh was
the costliest battle in American history to that
point. A staggering 23 ,746 casualties on both
sides. That evening, in heavy rain, Sherman found
Grant under a tree, apparently unfazed. Sherman
said, well, Grant, we've had the devil's own
day of it, haven't we? To which Grant famously
replied, yes, lick him tomorrow, though. Wow.
Just steely resolve. That exchange perfectly
captures Grant's unshakable resolve and mental
toughness in the face of absolute disaster. Bolstered
by reinforcements that night, Grant counterattacked
the next day, regaining the field and securing
a Union victory. But the battle, though won,
truly changed his perspective on the war. And
this is where we see that crucial shift in his
strategic thinking. Grant realized, then indeed
I gave up all idea of saving the Union except
by complete conquest. A significant strategic
turning point, moving from seeking limited engagements
to understanding the grim necessary truth of
total war. Despite briefly being hailed a hero,
he was soon mired in controversy. The northern
press castigated him for the high casualties
and yet again accused him of drunkenness claims
later refuted by those with him. Discouraged,
Grant considered resigning, but Sherman, his
loyal subordinate, convinced him to stay and
Lincoln continued his unwavering support. Shiloh
was a brutal lesson, but a necessary one for
Grant. It hardened his resolve and profoundly
shaped his strategy for the rest of the war.
He now understood the Confederacy wouldn't just
give up. It had to be decisively defeated. That
meant a willingness to accept high costs and
a relentless pursuit of the enemy. This new,
unyielding resolve was put to the ultimate test
in the Vicksburg campaign. The Union capture
of Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold
on the Mississippi River, was absolutely vital.
Split the Confederacy in two. Control the essential
waterway. a hugely complex, protracted campaign.
And Confederate cavalry raids on Grant's extended
supply lines forced him to consider and adopt
a new, audacious strategy, foraging the land.
Living off what the region provided, rather than
exposing long union supply lines to constant
attack, innovative and incredibly bold for its
time, breaking military convention. It was a
pragmatic and necessary adaptation, wasn't it?
Showing his increasing mastery of logistics in
a dynamic and hostile environment. Absolutely.
He understood a mobile army couldn't always rely
on traditional, vulnerable supply lines, especially
deep in enemy territory, a calculated risk that
paid off handsomely. And during this campaign,
another powerful development unfolded. Fugitive
African -American slaves poured into Grant's
district. Seeking freedom behind union lines.
On his own initiative, Grant set up pragmatic
contraband camps administered by a chaplain,
John Ian. And these freed slaves picked cotton,
which was then shipped north, directly aiding
the Union war effort. Lincoln, seeing its success,
approved this program. Grant also incorporated
freed black labor into the Union Army and Navy
for canal work, further integrating them into
the war effort. a clear sign of his growing commitment
to emancipation and the utility of black contributions.
This is a crucial aspect of his character, that
pragmatism combined with his growing commitment
to emancipation, seeing their potential not just
as beneficiaries, but as vital contributors to
victory. Moving from a passive stance to actively
empowering them. However, during this period,
he also had that deeply regrettable moment. General
Order Number 11. Right. December 17th, 1862.
He issued this highly controversial order expelling
Jews as a class from his military district due
to complaints about speculators. Though it's
important to note, most illegal traders were
not Jewish. Lincoln quickly and decisively rescinded
the order. And Grant later described issuing
this order as one of his biggest regrets. During
his presidency, he made significant amends, appointing
more than 50 Jewish people to federal office.
It's a dark mark, but one he actively tried to
correct and learn from. It highlights the complexities
and prejudices of the time and Grant's own journey
of understanding. His later actions show genuine
remorse. Grant assumed overall command of the
Vicksburg campaign in January 1863. His plan
to attack Vicksburg from Down River was incredibly
risky, distancing his army from supply lines,
forcing reliance on foraging. Admiral David Dixon
Porter's gunboats successfully ran the Vicksburg
batteries, and Grant's army then executed this
brilliant series of maneuvers, capturing Jackson,
defeating Pemberton at Champion Hill, forcing
a retreat into Vicksburg. After two failed assaults
on the fortified city, the Union settled in for
a grueling seven -week siege. Grant occasionally
drank during quiet periods, grappling with the
immense pressure. And he decisively removed Major
General John A. McLernan from command due to
ongoing rivalry and insubordination. He wasn't
afraid to make tough calls. Pemberton finally
surrendered Vicksburg to Grant on July 4th, 1863,
a hugely symbolic date. The fall of Vicksburg
was monumental, a true turning point, gave Union
forces complete control of the Mississippi, effectively
splitting the Confederacy. major strategic blow,
huge morale boost. And by this time, Grant's
political sympathies fully coincided with the
radical Republicans' aggressive prosecution of
the war and, critically, the emancipation of
slaves. He now saw these as intertwined and absolutely
essential for achieving total victory and a lasting
peace. His success continued to mount, culminating
in another decisive victory at Chattanooga. October
16th, 1863, Lincoln promoted Grant to Major General
in the regular army, gave him command of the
newly formed division of the Mississippi. Encompassing
multiple armies. After the devastating Union
defeat at Chickamauga, the army of the Carbilland
was effectively besieged in Chattanooga. Grant
immediately arrived. Forces under Major General
Joseph Hooker opened a critical supply line.
The battle above the clouds. Grant then planned
for Sherman's army to assault Missionary Ridge.
But on November 25th, after Sherman's efforts
stalled, Grant ordered Major General George Henry
Thomas' forces to advance to rifle pits at the
base of Missionary Ridge. And then, in this unplanned,
audacious move, four divisions, led by Sheridan
and Thomas J. Wood, against orders, continued
the charge up the incredibly steep 45 -degree
slope. It kept going. Captured the Confederate
entrenchments for its complete retreat, an amazing
moment of battlefield initiative. This decisive
battle gave the Union control of Tennessee and,
crucially, opened Georgia, the Confederate heartland,
to Union invasion. Another clear demonstration
of his ability to adapt, capitalize on unexpected
successes. And leverage the initiative of his
subordinates, even when they deviated from the
letter of his orders. By 1864, Grant's consistent
victories and relentless approach had made him
indispensable. March 2nd, 1864, Lincoln took
the unprecedented step of promoting Grant to
Lieutenant General, a rank previously held only
by George Washington. This cemented his position
as the Union's top military leader, command over
all Union armies. And he quickly established
a remarkably good working relationship with Lincoln,
who having found his general, allowed him to
devise his own overarching strategy. That trust
forged in the fires of war was absolutely crucial.
Lincoln famously gave Grant the freedom to take
all the rest you think you need and don't bother
me with details. He'd found his general. Someone
who would relentlessly pursue the enemy without
needing constant oversight. Grant, in turn, deeply
respected Lincoln's leadership. A powerful partnership.
Absolutely. Grant then implemented a truly grand
strategy. A coordinated effort on an unprecedented
scale. scrapped a risky invasion of North Carolina,
planned five coordinated Union offensives. Designed
to prevent Confederate armies from shifting troops
to reinforce each other, he and Major General
George Meade would make a direct frontal attack
on Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. While Sherman,
now commanding all Western armies, would destroy
Joseph E. Johnston's Army of Tennessee and take
Atlanta, Grant commanded a staggering 533 ,000
battle -ready troops spread out over an 18 -mile
front. A logistical and strategic challenge unlike
any seen before. This was total war designed
to overwhelm the Confederacy. It was a monumental
strategic shift designed to relentlessly pressure
the Confederacy on multiple fronts. This vision
was ultimately the decisive factor in breaking
their will to fight. The Oberland campaign was
the grim centerpiece of this strategy. A series
of brutal battles in Virginia during May and
June 1864, characterized by incredibly high casualties
and Grant's unwavering, almost terrifying determination.
Initial efforts by other Union generals, Siegel
and Butler, failed, leaving Grant to directly
confront Lee. The Battle of the Wilderness, three
days in dense, tangled woods. A nightmare. Resulted
in estimated casualties of 17 ,666 Union and
11 ,125 Confederate troops. Huge numbers. And
rather than retreating, as previous Union commanders
had done, Grant famously flanked Lee's army to
the southeast, trying to wedge his forces between
Lee and Richmond at Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Lee's army, with its uncanny ability to anticipate,
arrived first, leading to a costly 13 -day battle.
May 12, Grant's attempt to break through Lee's
Mule Shoe Salient resulted in one of the bloodiest
assaults of the war, the Bloody Angle. Unable
to break Lee's lines, Grant again relentlessly
flanked the rebels, pressing on. This campaign
was a grinding, brutal test of wills and resources.
Gratt was willing to accept heavy casualties,
knowing he could eventually replace his losses
while Lee couldn't. His relentless advance, even
facing immense bloodshed, was a stark strategic
calculation designed to wear down and ultimately
destroy Lee's army. War on a scale previously
unimaginable in America. And then came Cold Harbor
on June 3rd, perhaps his most regrettable assault.
The recent Bloody Wilderness campaign had hurt
Confederate morale, and Grant hoped for a decisive
breakthrough at Cold Harbor, a vital road hub.
Believed it could quickly end the war, but a
crucial detail here. Grant had two corps in position,
but his men were utterly exhausted after weeks
of constant fighting. He postponed the attack
twice, inadvertently giving Lee crucial time
to construct formidable, hastily built entrenchments
overnight. Compounding this, Grant and Meade
didn't give specific coordinated orders, leaving
critical tactical coordination to corps commanders,
and Grant himself didn't fully realize the strength
of Lee's prepared defenses. It was a disastrous
tactical error one Grant would forever regret.
Morning of June 3, over 100 ,000 Union men against
Lee's 59 ,000, Grant launched a direct assault
against well -entrenched Confederate lines. The
result was catastrophic. The Union suffered 12
,000, 14 ,000 casualties in a matter of hours
compared to Lee's far lower 3 ,000, 5 ,000. The
unprecedented number of casualties heightened
anti -war sentiment in the North, leading to
many calling Grant the butcher. He later wrote
in his memoirs, with deep regret, I always regretted
that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever
made. He wanted a truce to gather the wounded,
but Lee insisted on a total truce. And tragically,
most Union wounded died in the field during the
delay. A sobering reminder of the horrific human
cost and the agonizing decisions. But Cold Harbor,
despite its terrible cost, didn't deter Grant.
It reinforced his conviction that direct frontal
assaults against entrenched positions were too
costly. he adapted his tactics. Undetected by
Lee, he executed a brilliant strategic maneuver,
moving his entire army south of the James River,
advancing toward Petersburg, Virginia's central
railroad hub. Initiating a grueling nine -month
siege, this reflected Grant's willingness to
adapt, shifting to a more patient, attritional
approach. Meanwhile, Major General Philip Sheridan
was assigned command of the Union Army of the
Shenandoah, with Grant directing him to follow
the enemy to their death in the valley. Sheridan
successfully disrupted Confederate supply lines
and resources, employing a scorched earth policy.
But even during the Siege of Petersburg, there
were major setbacks, like the infamous Battle
of the Crater in July 1864. Right. Grant reluctantly
approved that bizarre plan to blow up Confederate
trenches with gunpowder. Massive explosion, killed
an entire Confederate regiment, created a huge
breach. But here's where leadership failed spectacularly.
Poorly led Union troops. including black troops
who suffered a large proportion of casualties,
rushed into the crater instead of encircling
it. Became trapped. Easy targets for recovering
Confederates. It was, as Grant himself admitted,
a truly stupendous failure. He later pointedly
blamed Major General Ambrose Burnside and Brigadier
General James H. Ledley in his memoirs, even
testified against them. Shows his willingness
to hold commanders accountable, though, even
those he'd previously supported. Commitment to
effectiveness over personal loyalties. Despite
these setbacks, the broader strategic successes
were piling up. Union forces captured Mobile
Bay. Atlanta fell to Sherman. Union control of
the Shenandoah Valley was secured, all ensuring
Lincoln's reelection in November. A crucial political
victory. Sherman's march to the sea cut a devastating
path through Georgia, crippling the Confederacy.
And General George Thomas smashed Confederate
General John Bell Hood's army at Nashville. These
coordinated campaigns systematically isolated
Lee's forces. No hope of reinforcement. By March
1865, Lee was trapped. His strength severely
weakened, running out of reserves, facing mass
desertions. A desperate attack at Fort Steadman
resulted in 4 ,000 Confederate casualties, another
Union victory. The end was truly in sight. These
comprehensive, coordinated campaigns truly broke
the back of the Confederacy. Grant's strategy
of relentless, simultaneous pressure on all fronts
proved decisive. April 2, Grant ordered a general
assault, finally forcing Lee to abandon Petersburg
and Richmond. Sheridan's cavalry then brilliantly
blocked Lee's escape route, cornering him. Grant
rode west to join Sheridan and received Lee's
letter requesting a meeting to discuss surrender.
And so, April 9th, 1865, Grant and Lee met at
Appomattox Courthouse. Grant, despite feeling
sadness for a foe who had fought so long and
valiantly, believed the Southern cause was one
of the worst for which a people ever fought.
He wrote out incredibly generous surrender terms.
Each officer and man will be allowed to return
to his home not to be disturbed by U .S. authority
so long as they observe their paroles and the
laws in force where they may reside. Lee immediately
accepted, and Grant, in a remarkable gesture,
even allowed Confederate troops to keep their
horses for spring plowing. This act of magnanimity
was profound, a testament to Grant's foresight
and desire for genuine reconciliation. Grant
then ordered his troops to stop all celebration,
famously saying, the war is over, the rebels
are our countrymen again. A powerful call for
unity coming directly from the victorious general,
incredibly important, set a compassionate tone
for the difficult road ahead. Aiming to heal
a deeply divided nation, the remaining Confederate
armies surrendered in the following weeks, officially
ending the war. The war was over, but the nation's
trials were far from it. Just five days after
Lee's surrender, April 14th, 1865, that date
etched in infamy. Grant and Julia declined Lincoln's
invitation to Ford's theater, planning instead
to travel home. Many, including Grant himself,
believed he had been a primary target in the
conspiracy that led to Lincoln's assassination.
Grant was notified of the president's death,
immediately summoned to Washington. He wept openly
at Lincoln's funeral, later calling him, the
greatest man I have ever known. Initially, he
publicly expressed every reason to hope in Vice
President Andrew Johnson's ability to run the
government in its old channel. It was a moment
of immense national grief, shock, and profound
uncertainty. Grant, as the undisputed commanding
general, immediately became a crucial figure
in the transition of power and the unfolding
tumultuous process of Reconstruction. His initial
optimism about Johnson, however, would soon be
shattered. Grant remained commander of the Army
with duties including monitoring French troops
in Mexico, overseeing Reconstruction implementation,
supervising Indian wars in the West. President
Johnson, however, had a very different vision
for the post -war South. He demanded Lee and
his generals be tried for treason. But Grant
staunchly insisted they should not, citing the
Appomattox amnesty and his personal guarantee.
Charges against Lee were dropped, demonstrating
Grant's unwavering commitment to the terms of
surrender, even when it put him directly at odds
with the president. This early conflict was indicative
of the brewing storm. On July 25, 1866, Congress,
recognizing his service, promoted Grant to the
newly created rank of General of the Army of
the United States. This promotion solidified
his immense authority and perhaps inevitably
became a significant point of contention with
Johnson. Johnson's Reconstruction policy favored
a speedy return of former Confederates to Congress,
reinstating white leaders to power, effectively
relegating black people to second -class citizenship,
often with punitive black codes. Grant was sent
on a fact -finding mission to the South in late
1865. While initially sympathizing with some
aspects of Johnson's report, Grant soon recommended
continuing the Freedmen's Bureau, that federal
agency providing aid to former slaves, which
Johnson vehemently opposed. And crucially, he
believed the South needed continued federal government
protection because its people were simply not
ready for self -rule or to embrace equal rights
for African Americans. The relationship between
Grant and Johnson began to break down significantly
by February 1866. Johnson actively opposed Grant's
closure of a disloyal newspaper and his vigorous
enforcement of the Civil Rights Act of 1866.
A landmark piece of legislation passed over Johnson's
veto. Johnson, attempting to leverage Grant's
immense popularity, tried to bring him on his
infamous swing -around -the -circle tour to gain
support for his lenient policies. But Grant privately
called Johnson's inflammatory speeches a national
disgrace and, unable to tolerate them, left the
tour early. A very public snub. This public break
was critical. On March 2, 1867, Congress, overriding
Johnson's veto, passed the first of three Reconstruction
Acts, placing former Confederate states under
military control and using military officers
to enforce federal policy. Critically, Congress
also passed the command of the Army Act, specifically
designed to protect Grant from removal or relocation,
and forcing Johnson to pass all military orders
through him. Effectively neutering Johnson's
ability to undermine Reconstruction directly
through the military. The tension escalated dramatically
with the Stanton controversy. August 1867, Johnson
discharged Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, the
last cabinet member friendly to the radical Republicans,
without Senate approval. A direct challenge to
Congress. Johnson then appointed Grant as interim
Secretary of War. Grant reluctantly accepted,
not wanting the Army to fall under a more conservative
appointee. But when Congress voted to keep Stanton,
asserting its authority, Grant told Johnson he
would resign. Johnson, perhaps believing the
law would be overturned, insisted he would assume
Grant's legal responsibility. Grant, however,
true to his word and legal obligations, promptly
surrendered the office back to Stanton. Johnson,
with cabinet backing, publicly accused Grant
of duplicity, leading to a complete and acrimonious
break. Public exchange of angry messages. This
controversy ultimately led to Johnson's impeachment
by the House and trial in the Senate, where he
was acquitted by a single vote. But the damage
was done. This public break with Johnson significantly
boosted Grant's popularity among radical Republicans.
They saw him as a man of principle, standing
against a president undermining the Union victory
and civil rights gains. It firmly set the stage
for his presidential nomination. And so the path
to the presidency was clear. At the 1868 Republican
National Convention, delegates unanimously nominated
Grant for president on the first ballot. Although
he often expressed a preference to remain in
the Army, He accepted, believing he was the only
one who could truly unify the deeply fractured
nation. The Republicans, under his banner, advocated
for equal civil and political rights to all and,
crucially, African -American enfranchisement.
The Democrats, on the other hand, nominated Horatio
Seymour, vehemently opposing suffrage for African
-Americans and advocating immediate restoration
of former Confederate states in blanket amnesty.
The election of 1868 was a clear, stark referendum
on the future of Reconstruction and the rights
of African Americans. During the campaign, Grant
wisely sought to distance himself from his controversial
1862 General Order No. 11. stating publicly,
I have no prejudice against sect or race, but
want each individual to be judged by his own
merit. The Republicans shrewdly adopted his words
from Appomattox, let us have peace, as their
campaign slogan, a power shall message for a
war -weary nation. Grant won the popular vote
and an electoral college landslide, 214 votes
to Seymour's 80. Crucially, his victory was significantly
aided by an estimated 500 ,000 votes cast by
Black people. who overwhelmingly supported him.
Winning him 52 .7 percent of the popular vote.
It's a sobering detail that he lost Louisiana
and Georgia primarily due to widespread Ku Klux
Klan violence against African -American voters.
A stark reminder of the immense challenges ahead.
At 46, he was the youngest president yet elected,
stepping into a role that would test his leadership
in entirely new ways. His victory marked a clear
mandate for reconstruction and profoundly for
civil rights. It powerfully demonstrated the
burgeoning political power of newly enfranchised
African American voters. On March 4th, 1869,
Grant was sworn in as president by Chief Justice
Salmon P. Chase. In his inaugural address, he
urged the swift ratification of the 15th Amendment,
granting African -Americans suffrage. He also
called for proper treatment of Native Americans
and encouraged their civilization and ultimate
citizenship, a perspective we'll definitely need
to unpack later. Significantly, many African
-Americans attended his inauguration, a truly
powerful symbol of the new era he ushered in
and the hopes he represented for millions. His
inaugural address laid out a progressive and
ambitious vision for a reunited nation. emphasizing
civil rights for both African Americans and Native
Americans. Quite forward -thinking for its time,
even with the complexities around the civilization
aspect. His cabinet appointments sparked both
criticism and approval. Notable figures like
Hamilton Fish as Secretary of State, William
W. Bilnapp as Secretary of War. And in a genuine
effort at reconciliation, he nominated his wartime
friend, former Confederate General James Longstreet,
for a Surveyor of Customs of New Orleans, an
olive branch. And in March 1872, Grant signed
legislation establishing Yellowstone National
Park, the first national park in the world. Remarkable
foresight for conservation. He was also notably
sympathetic to women's rights, including suffrage,
stating he wanted equal rights to all citizens.
These early actions highlight a complex figure
determined not only to heal the nation, but also
to push for a broader, more inclusive definition
of American citizenship. And here's where we
see that powerful example of personal growth
regarding General Order Number 11. He appointed
more than 50 Jewish people to federal office,
unprecedented. Appointed Edward S. Salomon as
Territorial Governor of Washington, the first
American Jewish man to hold a governor's seat.
He also publicly supported the benign birth petition
against Russian persecution of Jews. Demonstrates
a genuine active commitment to rectifying past
wrongs and establishing a legacy of religious
tolerance. His actions really spoke volumes.
He was indeed considered a remarkably effective
civil rights president. March 18th, 1869, signed
into law equal rights for black people to serve
on juries and hold office in D .C. 1870, signed
the Naturalization Act, extending citizenship
to foreign black people, then strongly advocated
for the 15th Amendment ratification. Stated states
could not disenfranchise African Americans based
on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Within a year, the three remaining Confederate
states, Mississippi, Virginia, Texas, adopted
it and were readmitted to Congress. He even put
military pressure on Georgia to reinstate its
Black legislators and adopt the amendment, ensuring
its full implementation. With all former Confederate
states represented and the 15th Amendment ratified,
the Union was, for the first time, completely
restored under Grant. And crucially, for the
first time, Black American men served in Congress,
all from Southern states. A monumental, yet tragically
short -lived achievement. And this is where we
see the true test of his commitment. his vigorous
enforcement of civil rights, and his direct confrontation
with the Ku Klux Klan. 1870, Congress and Grant
created the Justice Department, empowering the
Attorney General and the new Solicitor General
to prosecute the Klan. Congress and Grant also
passed three enforcement acts, specifically designed
to protect Black people and Reconstruction governments
from intimidation and violence. Using these powerful
new legal tools, Grant launched a full -scale
assault on the Klan, effectively crushing its
power. By October 1871, he suspended habeas corpus
in parts of South Carolina a drastic measure
and sent federal troops to aid marshals in mass
prosecutions. His attorney general, Amos T. Ackerman,
was zealous in destroying the Klan. Arrested
over 470 members in South Carolina alone, hundreds
more fled the state. The impact was profound
and immediate. By 1872, the Klan's power had
largely collapsed, and African Americans voted
in record numbers across the South. A testament
to Grant's decisive action. monumental achievement.
Absolutely. However, as Grant entered his second
term, the North began that gradual, tragic retreat
from Reconstruction. Southern conservatives,
the Redeemers, formed armed groups like the Red
Shirts and the White League, openly using extreme
violence, intimidation, voter fraud, and virulent
racist appeals to systematically overturn Republican
rule and disenfranchise Black voters. This shift
in public and political will, combined with mounting
challenges, created immense difficulties. Northern
apathy toward black people's rights grew. The
depressed economy from the Panic of 1873 consumed
national attention. And the scandals within Grant's
administration made it politically difficult
to maintain support for reconstruction. Power
irrevocably shifted when Democrats gained the
House majority in the 1874 election. While Grant
still acted sometimes like ending the Brooks
-Baxter war in Arkansas peacefully and sending
troops to New Orleans after the horrific Colfax
massacre, his intervention became increasingly
limited. By 1875, as racial violence escalated
in Mississippi, his attorney general, Edwards
Pierpont, told the Republican governor there
that the people were, quote, tired of the autumnal
outbreaks in the South, declining direct federal
intervention. Grant later expressed deep regret
for not issuing a proclamation to help. Congress
did pass the sweeping Civil Rights Act of 1875
to guarantee black people equal access to public
facilities. However, there was little federal
enforcement, and the Supreme Court ultimately
ruled it unconstitutional in 1883, gutted its
intent. After Grant left office, the bitterly
disputed 1876 presidential election was resolved
by the compromise of 1877. Republicans got the
White House for Rutherford B. Hayes in return
for ending enforcement of racial equality and
critically removing federal troops from the South.
Marked the official end of Reconstruction. Tragically
launched 80 years of Jim Crow segregation. This
raises that critical question. Grant's commitment
was clear. His actions against the Klan decisive.
But the broader political and social currents
ultimately undermined Reconstruction's long -term
success. highlights the profound limits of presidential
power against widespread, entrenched opposition.
A sobering reminder. Beyond civil rights, Grant
also tackled the challenging post -war economy,
took conservative steps to return to pre -war
monetary standards, signed the Public Credit
Act of 1869, guaranteeing bondholders repayment
in coin or its equivalent. committing the government
to the full return of the gold standard within
10 years. His overarching policy was hard currency,
economy, and gradual reduction of the national
debt. Fiscal conservatism. Grant's own ideas
about the economy were generally straightforward,
maybe a bit simple. He relied heavily on advice
from businessmen. Believing in fiscal conservatism
and sound money as the path to stability. a significant
policy direction after the inflationary pressures
and greenbacks issued during the war. This simple,
trusting approach, however, made him vulnerable
to manipulation, as seen in the gold -corner
conspiracy Black Friday of 1869. Railroad tycoons
Jay Gould and Jim Fisk conspired to corner the
gold market, believing a high gold price would
boost agricultural exports, which they'd profit
from. Treasury Secretary George Botwell's policy
of selling government gold kept the price low,
frustrating their scheme. Gould and Fisk, relentless
exploited connections, cultivated a relationship
with Grant's brother -in -law, Abel Corbin, gained
access to the president. Gould also bribed assistant
treasurer Daniel Butterfield for inside info.
Grant, naive regarding complex finance, was initially
convinced by their arguments that a low gold
price would hurt farmers. Regrettably, he reduced
the sale of treasury gold, inadvertently aiding
their scheme. September 23, gold price skyrocketed
to $143 .18. Boutwell rushed to the White House,
spoke urgently with Grant, explained the manipulation.
The very next day, September 24, Black Friday,
Grant ordered Boutwell to sell $4 million in
government gold. The market immediately collapsed,
prices plummeted, gold and fisc fled, leaving
widespread economic damages. An 1870 congressional
investigation ultimately cleared Grant of personal
profiteering, but excoriated Gould and Fisk for
manipulation and Corbin for shamelessly exploiting
his connection. This incident clearly highlighted
Grant's trusting nature and inexperience in complex
financial matters. A significant early challenge
to his administration's integrity, even if he
was personally cleared, showed how honesty could
be exploited. His presidency also saw the panic
of 1873 a major economic downturn. Grant signed
the Coinage Act of 1873, effectively ending bimetallism
and establishing the gold dollar as the sole
monetary standard. This led to deflation, which
silverites advocating for unlimited silver coinage
denounced as the crime of 1873, claiming it made
debts more burdensome for farmers. Then, September
1873, the collapse of J. Cook & Company, a major
New York brokerage house, triggered the panic
of 1873. Many banks, railroads went bankrupt,
ushered in a prolonged economic depression. Grant,
still knowing little about finance intricacies,
consulted businessmen, initially believing the
panic was just a fluctuation, like the gold ring
collapse. He instructed the Treasury to buy $10
million in government bonds, which curbed the
initial panic. But the long depression swept
the nation. Shows how even a strong leader can
struggle with complex economic forces beyond
their understanding. In 1874, Congress, hoping
inflation would stimulate the economy by adding
$64 million in greenbacks, passed the Ferry Bill.
Despite warnings a veto would hurt Republicans
in elections, Grant firmly believed the bill
would destroy national credit and courageously
vetoed it. Solidified his position in the Republican
conservative faction, committed the party to
a gold -backed dollar. He later pressured Congress
for a bill to strengthen the dollar, signing
the Specie Payment Resumption Act in 1875. This
era, post -Civil War, brought massive industrial
wealth, government expansion, rampant speculation,
and unfortunately pervasive corruption in federal
offices. And this brings us to the most criticized
aspect of his presidency, the pervasive scandals.
Grant was by nature honest, trusting, maybe gullible,
and fiercely loyal to his friends. And what's
truly fascinating here is how these very personal
virtues, his loyalty and trusting nature, sometimes
became profound vulnerabilities in the political
arena, inadvertently created an environment ripe
for corruption. His responses to malfeasance
were mixed. Sometimes he appointed reformers.
Other times he staunchly defended culprits, even
when evidence mounted. He struggled deeply to
perceive corruption in those close to him. He
genuinely believed in the goodness and loyalty
of people and that admirable trait made him susceptible.
This dichotomy is central to understanding his
presidential legacy. He did make efforts at reform,
though. Appointed Jacob D. Cox as Secretary of
the Interior, who implemented significant civil
service reforms. In 1871, Grant created the first
civil service commission. Established rules for
competitive exams, classified positions, advanced
civil service more than any prior president.
But when Congress failed to make the rules permanent,
Grant regrettably dissolved the commission in
1874. He also replaced corrupt New York collector
Thomas Murphy with Chester A. Arthur. who, ironically,
later became president and implemented further
reforms. He fired warehouse owner George K. Leit
for pocketing exorbitant freight fees. 1873,
he signed the Salary Grab Act, increasing pay
for federal employees, Congress retroactively
causing uproar, judiciary, and president doubling
his own salary. Critics derided Congress's retroactive
payments. Law was partially repealed, but Grant
kept his much needed raise. His efforts were
significant, showing a desire to clean up government.
But the sheer scale of corruption was overwhelming,
often involving people he trusted implicitly.
A challenging time. And here's one of the biggest
challenges, the whiskey ring scandal of 1875.
Benjamin Bristow, Grant's new treasury secretary,
discovered notorious collusion between distillers
and treasury officials to evade millions in taxes.
Grant unequivocally endorsed the investigation,
famously writing, let no guilty man escape. Federal
marshals rated 32 installations, leading to 110
convictions, $3 .15 million in fines, a massive
crackdown. But then the investigation revealed
Grant's private secretary, Orville E. Babcock,
same Babcock from Santo Domingo, received kickbacks,
secretly forewarned the ring's mastermind. Grant,
exhibiting that deep personal loyalty, refused
to believe Babcock was guilty. gave a deposition
in his defense, stating his confidence was unshaken.
Babcock was ultimately acquitted, but later dismissed
from the White House staff, though he kept another
federal position. Shows Grant's blind spot. There
were other damaging scandals, too. Interior Department
under Columbus Colono, rife with fraud, forced
resignation. Attorney General George H. Williams
fired after an extortion scandal involving his
wife. And most damaging, Secretary of War William
W. Belknap took quarterly kickbacks from traderships
at military forts, resigned February 1876, impeached
by House, acquitted by Senate, but a severe blow.
Even Grant's brother Orville received kickbacks.
In his December 5, 1876 annual message, Grant
delivered that poignant apology. Not of intent.
And that's the core insight, isn't it? While
Grant's personal integrity was largely recognized,
his trusting nature and loyalty, combined with
rapid government expansion, created an environment
ripe for corruption. His genuine reform efforts
were ultimately overshadowed. Tragically shaping
how his presidency was viewed for decades, shifting
to foreign policy, Grant had limited experience,
wisely relied heavily on his talented secretary
of state, Hamilton Fish. They developed a cordial,
trusting friendship. Grant had an expansionist
impulse, strong advocate of the Monroe Doctrine,
also had an idealist side, appointing Benjamin
Pixoto as consul in Bucharest. Responding to
Romanian persecution of Jews, stating, respect
for human rights is the first duty for those
said as rulers. Remarkably progressive. This
blend of idealism and pragmatic expansionism
defined his foreign policy, often through Fish's
capable hands. Their relationship was a true
strength. A crucial diplomatic challenge was
settling the Alabama claims. Damage is caused
to union merchant ships by the CSS Alabama, built
in a British shipyard, violating neutrality.
Major contention. Senator Charles Sumner led
demands for exorbitant reparations, even suggesting
British Columbia as payment. Fish and Treasury
Secretary Boutwell, however, convinced Grant
peaceful, strong relations with Britain were
essential. led to paying staking negotiations.
To avoid jeopardizing these sensitive talks,
Grant notably refrained from recognizing Cuban
rebels fighting for independence from Spain.
Maintained consistency. The Treaty of Washington
in 1871 was a major diplomatic achievement. International
Tribunal settled damages at $15 .5 million. British
expressed regret, not fault. Senate approved.
Peaceful resolution, Grant's most successful
foreign policy achievement, resolved troubled
Anglo -American issues, laid groundwork for Britain
becoming America's strongest ally, master class,
and patient diplomacy. Not all ventures were
successful, though. The Korean expedition of
1871, a diplomatic failure, Grant dispatched
forces to open trade, investigate disappearance
of the SS General Sherman. Korean garrisons fired
on American ships. Government refused negotiations.
Admiral John Rogers' forces destroyed several
Korean forts. 250 Koreans killed to three Americans.
Expedition failed to open trade only strengthened
Korea's isolationist policy. Costly lesson in
gunboat diplomacy limits. Grant also initiated
that plan to annex Santo Domingo, the Dominican
Republic. genuinely believed it offered benefits.
Resources, naval protection, stopping slavery
elsewhere, even a safe haven for Black people
escaping the KKK. He sent his military aide Orville
Babcock to evaluate. Babcock returned with unauthorized
annexation treaties. Typical Babcock. This plan
was fiercely obstructed by Senator Charles Sumner,
chairman of Senate foreign relations. Grant believes
Sumner approved after a meeting, but disputed.
Despite Grant's personal lobbying, Senate defeated
the treaties. Grant, outraged by perceived betrayal,
retaliated, sacked John Lothrop Motley, Sumner's
friend as minister to Great Britain, maneuvered
to have Sumner deposed from his powerful chairmanship.
The stinging controversy overshadowed other diplomacy,
drew criticism for relying on military personnel
like Babcock for sensitive policy. Another major
crisis, Cuba and the Virginia's affair in 1873.
American policy under Grant was neutrality during
Cuba's 10 years war against Spain. Refused to
recognize rebels, endorsed Spanish rule while
calling for abolition of slavery there. Delicate
policy aimed to protect commerce, maintain peace,
broke October 1873 when a Spanish cruiser captured
the U .S. flagged merchant ship, Virginia's,
carrying supplies to insurrectionists. Spanish
authorities brutally executed 53 prisoners, including
eight Americans, mutilated bodies, outraged calls
for war from the American public. Grant ordered
U .S. Navy warships to Cuba, clear show of force.
But Secretary Fish reached a peaceful resolution.
Spain expressed regret. surrendered the ship,
paid $80 ,000 to families, averted war. Testament
to Fish's cool head, Grant's willingness to seek
peaceful solutions when possible, even facing
intense public emotion. Grant and Fish also secured
a free trade treaty with Hawaii in 1875, incorporated
its sugar industry into US economic sphere. King
Kalakaua made a historic 91 -day state visit
to secure it. First reigning monarch on US soil.
Despite opposition from Southern Democrats protecting
sugar producers and others calling Hawaiians
an inferior race, the bill passed. U .S. gained
lands for what became Pearl Harbor. Far -sighted
treaty underscored America's growing economic
strategic interests in the Pacific. Set stage
for future expansion. Turning to his federal
Indian policy. Context. 1869, over 250 ,000 Native
Americans governed by 370 often poorly enforced
treaties. Grant's faith influenced his peace
policy. Beliefs creator didn't place races for
stronger to destroy weaker. Admirable sentiment,
but he was mostly an assimilationist. wanted
Native Americans to adopt European customs, language,
government, leading to eventual citizenship,
said it'd favor any course towards civilization,
Christianization, and ultimate citizenship. In
a remarkably progressive move for the time, Grant
appointed Ely S. Parker, assimilated Seneca,
wartime staff member, as Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, first Native American in this high post.
1869, Grant signed legislation establishing unpaid
Board of Indian Commissioners. Reduce corruption,
oversee peace policy, replace corrupt agents
with missionaries, protect Native Americans on
reservations, educate them in farming. But despite
intentions, policy faced setbacks. Maria's Massacre,
1870, Parker's resignation, 1871, due to congressional
pressure, infighting among religious agents,
entrenched economic interests, profiting from
exploitation. 1871, significant shift. Grant
effectively ended sovereign tribal treaty system.
By law, individual Native Americans deemed wards
of federal government losing tribal sovereignty.
Fundamental change, moving away from recognizing
them as sovereign nations, profound lasting negative
consequences. Modoc War, 1873, North California.
Major General Edward Canby killed by Modoc leader
Kent Pwash during peace talks. Grant ordered
restraint, but army captured Kent Pwash, convicted
of murder, hanged, sometimes dated as beginning
of Indian Wars. 1874, Grant pocket vetoed bill,
protecting bison. Supported Interior Secretary
Columbus Delano, who believed killing bison would
force Plains Indians to abandon nomadic lifestyle,
effectively using a natural resource as a brutal
policy tool for assimilation. Illustrates complex,
sometimes contradictory aspect, desire for peace
assimilation, but willingness to employ brutal
methods for perceived civilization. Tragic clash
of cultures. Then the Great Sioux War. 1876,
sparked by gold discovery in sacred Black Hills,
treaty protected lands, Russia white settlers
trespassing. Grant told Sioux leaders to make
arrangements to allow white persons to go into
the Black Hills. Children attend schools, speak
English, prepare for the life of white men. pushing
assimilation again. Under advice from General
Sheridan, Grant effectively agreed not to enforce
minor exclusion from Black Hills, forcing Native
Americans onto Sioux Reservation. Policy led
to warriors under Crazy Horse massacring Custer
and his men at Little Beehorn. Grant publicly
castigated Custer. I regard Custer's massacre
as a sacrifice of troops brought on by Custer
himself that was wholly unnecessary. Grant then
persuaded tribes to relinquish Black Hills in
1876. Congress ratified agreement before he left
office. Despite Grant's peace efforts, over 200
battles fought with Native Americans during his
presidency. Policy, though considered humanitarian
then compared to outright extermination, now
heavily criticized for assimilationist goals,
disregard for tribal cultures, sovereignty. However,
policy did ensure Indian affairs remained under
Interior Department, not War Department, after
his presidency. Shifted administrative approach,
even if goals problematic. After his eventful,
often tumultuous presidency, Grant samously remarked,
he was never so happy in my life upon leaving
the White House in 1877. With some funds from
liquidating an Grant and Julia embarked on that
grand two -and -a -half -year world tour, first
American president to circumnavigate the globe.
Far more than a leisurely trip, stops across
Europe, Africa, India, Middle East, Far East,
met Queen Victoria, Tsar Alexander II, Pope Leo
III, Bismarck, Emperor Meiji. Hayes' administration
encouraged Grant to assume unofficial diplomatic
role. strengthened American interests abroad,
toured, demonstrated U .S. was emerging world
power, returned to San Francisco 1879, greeted
by cheering crowds, hero once more. His renewed
popularity led to that unexpected, ultimately
unsuccessful bid for a third term in 1880. Politically
conservative, supported by stalwarts faction,
led by old ally Roscoe Conkling, saw his renewed
popularity as opportunity for third term, direct
challenge to unofficial two -term rule, bold
move. Grant publicly said nothing, privately
encouraged his men, wanted the job. At 1880 Republican
National Convention, Conkling nominated Grant
with eloquent speech. When asked which state
he hails from, our sole reply shall be, he hails
from Appomattox and its famous apple tree. Despite
leading initial ballots, couldn't secure a majority.
Opponents rallied against third -term precedent.
After 36 ballots, delegates nominated compromise
candidate James A. Garfield. Grant, loyal Republican
supporting Garfield, later wept upon learning
of Garfield's assassination in 1881. This post
presidency period also saw his devastating financial
ruin. Stark testament to precariousness of life
even for former president then. No federal pensions.
Grant's income mere 6 ,000 year depleted by world
tour. Wealthy friends bought him house in NYC.
Chartered Mexican Southern Railroad with Jay
Gould, but venture failed spectacularly after
Senate rejected free trade treaty. Then Grant's
most devastating financial blow. Grant and Ward's
scandal, 1884, profoundly illustrates how his
trusting nature remained a vulnerability. 1883,
son Buck opened Wall Street brokerage with Ferdinand
Ward. A conniving man running a sophisticated
Ponzi scheme. Grant, keen to secure family's
future, joined firm, invested $100 ,000 of his
own money, equivalent to $2 .78 million in 2023.
Ward's deception inevitably led to firms impending
bankruptcy. Ward, cynically assuming Grant was
a child in business matters, assured him temporary
shortfall. Grant, desperate, approached William
Henry Vanderbilt, who gave him personal loan
of $150 ,000. Grant invested it wasn't enough.
Collapse triggered panic of 1884. Vanderbilt
offered to forgive debt entirely, but Grant...
compelled by unyielding personal honor, refused,
impoverished, distraught, repaid what he could,
selling Civil War mementos. Vanderbilt took title
to Grant's home, allowed Grant's to reside there
rent -free, pledged to donate souvenirs to federal
government, insisted debt paid. Grant utterly
devastated, asked privately how he could ever
trust any human being again. Testified against
Warden Fish, March 1885, outpouring of national
sympathy followed. Summer 1884, Grant complained
of sore throat. Late October, diagnosed with
throat cancer, possibly from frequent cigar smoking,
bravely kept seriousness from Julia. Learned
grim truth from doctor. Knowing his desperate
financial difficulties, Congress finally restored
him to rank of General of the Army with full
retirement pay, corrected anomaly from resigning
commission. Congressional Act, not enough. Nearly
penniless, consumed by worry about providing
for wife after death, Grant began writing articles
for the Century Magazine. His loyal friend Mark
Twain, understanding Grant's dire state, recognizing
literary talent, offered unheard of 70 % royalty
for his memoirs, compared to magazine standard
10%. Grant, facing own mortality, worked intensely
on memoirs in NYC. Covered life through civil
war, assisted by Adam Beddow, son Frederick.
Moved to cottage in Mt. McGregor, NY, finished
memoir July 18, 1885, just days before death.
The personal memoirs of U .S. Grant became immediate
critical commercial success. Julie Grant eventually
received about $450 ,000 royalties, equivalent
to $15 .7 million in 2024, secured her financial
future. Memoir highly regarded by public, military
historians, literary critics, Grant portrayed
himself as honorable Western hero, candidly depicting
battles against Confederates, internal army foes,
powerful example of controlling narrative, securing
families future in dire circumstances. of will,
literary genius, written under immense pressure,
battling terminal illness, cemented own legacy,
powerful firsthand account, ensured family security,
final profound victory. Grant died in Mount McGregor
Cottage July 23rd, 1885. Commanding General Sheridan
ordered day -long tribute. President Cleveland
ordered 30 -day nationwide mourning. Quarter
million viewed body in NYC. Tens of thousands
veterans marched in funeral procession, over
1 .5 million attendees. Massive display of national
grief? Respect. profoundly powerful symbol of
national unity. Pallbearers included Union General
Sherman, Sheridan, and remarkably Confederate
generals Simon Bolivar Buckner, Joseph E. Johnston,
demonstrating depth of post -war reconciliation.
President Cleveland, two former presidents attended,
body laid to rest in Riverside Park, NYC, eventually
General Grant National Memorial, Grant's tomb.
Largest mausoleum in North America, his death
funeral became national spectacle, moment's reflection,
symbol of reconciliation. Grant initially hailed
across North as general who saved the Union.
Military reputation largely held up. Most successful
general, Union or Confederate. However, reputation
suffered soon after death. significantly damaged
by Lost Cosmosology, spread by Confederate sympathizers
romanticizing defeat, and Dunning School historians
resenting his defeat of Lee, strong reconstruction
enforcement. Reputation fell further early 20th
century due to WWI casualties recalling 1864
Virginia casualties and Harding administration
scandals recalling Grant's own issues. For decades,
often seen as unsuccessful president, unskilled,
if lucky, general. What truly stands out here
is how historical perspectives evolve. Beginning
1950s, accelerating dramatically 21st century
with new scholarship from historians like Ron
Chernow, Grant's reputation improved markedly.
Reassessed not as brute force, Victor, but skillful
modern strategist, truly exceptional commander,
understanding total nature of warfare. Modern
views of his presidency now show better appreciation
of his personal integrity, vigorous enforcement
of civil voting rights for African Americans,
genuinely intended peace policy. toward Native
Americans, even when flawed. 2021 C -SPAN survey
ranked Grant 20th out of 44 presidents, significant
jump from 33rd in 2017, attributed to receiving
more credit for reconstruction in his diplomacy
than condemnation for his alleged corruption.
And if we connect this to the bigger picture,
Grant's changing legacy powerfully demonstrates
the ongoing, often politically charged process
of historical interpretation, underscores importance
of continuously revisiting primary sources, diverse
perspectives. history isn't static, it's a lying
dialogue. We've journeyed through the remarkable
life of Ulysses S. Grant. From humble beginnings,
profound civilian struggles marked by poverty,
personal challenge, to military genius on Civil
War battlefields. We've seen him as president
deeply committed to civil rights, national unity,
battling corruption with its own administration,
navigating complex foreign domestic policies.
We also witnessed his post presidency challenges
culminating in that powerful act of literary
redemption, securing his family's legacy. Grant's
story is a profound reminder that even celebrated
figures are complex, multifaceted individuals
shaped by their times, own human flaws, encourages
us to look beyond simplistic narratives of hero
or villain. Appreciate Full Spectrum. His resilience
facing immense personal financial hardship, unwavering
commitment to vision of reunited America, efforts
to secure civil rights for African Americans
facing overwhelming opposition, offer powerful
enduring lessons. Absolutely. And this raises
an important question for all of us. Given the
dramatic shifts in Grant's historical reputation
and the active, often politically motivated efforts
to tarnish his legacy by those disagreeing with
his progressive policies, how should we approach
stories of other figures whose place in history
is debated or deliberately misrepresented. What
responsibility do we as informed citizens have
in seeking out and promoting a balanced evidence
-based understanding of the past, especially
when those narratives continue to shape our present
and influence our future? Something to think
about.