Presidents of the United States: Ulysses S Grant, the US soldier-president

Editor’s Note: This profile is  part of a series taking a closer look at US presidents ahead of the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Ulysses S Grant, the 18th president of the United States, is remembered for his military prowess as the Union general who led the North to victory during the Civil War and his two terms as president during one of the nation’s most challenging periods, Reconstruction.

His presidency, while marked by efforts to heal the nation and promote civil rights for African Americans, was also marred by corruption scandals within his administration.

Despite the controversies, Grant’s dedication to preserving the Union and promoting equality has secured his legacy as a significant figure in American history.

Military career

Hiram Ulysses Grant was born on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, to a family of modest means. He was the eldest of six children born to Jesse and Hannah Grant. His father worked as a tanner, and although Ulysses disliked the work, his father pushed him toward education.

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At 17, Grant entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, where an error in his paperwork listed his name as Ulysses S Grant. He accepted the name change, later joking that the “S” stood for nothing.

Grant graduated from West Point in 1843, ranking 21st in a class of 39. He served with distinction during the Mexican-American War under General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott. Grant saw combat in several key battles and gained valuable military experience.

Grant married Julia Dent in 1848, and the couple had four children: Frederick, Ulysses Jr, Nellie, and Jesse. Julia was a steadfast companion throughout Grant’s military and political career, and the couple shared a close relationship.

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After Grant’s death, Julia remained active in promoting his legacy and lived until 1902. The Grant family has continued to hold an important place in American history, with several of his descendants engaging in public service.

After the war, however, he struggled with boredom in peacetime assignments, leading to a brief resignation from the army in 1854.

For several years, Grant lived in relative obscurity, working as a farmer and a clerk to support his family. He faced financial difficulties and struggled to find success in civilian life. However, the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 would change the course of his life.

Civil War leadership and rise to fame

With the start of the Civil War, Grant rejoined the army, initially serving as a colonel of the 21st Illinois Infantry Regiment. His decisive and bold leadership soon earned him promotions, and he became known for his willingness to take the fight to Confederate forces.

His early victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in 1862 gave the Union much-needed momentum in the Western Theater of the war. After the Battle of Fort Donelson, Grant’s demand for “unconditional surrender” from the Confederates earned him national fame and the nickname “Unconditional Surrender Grant.”

In 1863, Grant’s military career reached new heights with his brilliant campaign to capture Vicksburg, a Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. The victory at Vicksburg was a turning point in the war, splitting the Confederacy in two and solidifying Grant’s reputation as the Union’s most effective general. Later, Grant led Union forces to victory in pivotal battles such as Chattanooga.

In 1864, US President Abraham Lincoln appointed Grant as General-in-Chief of all Union armies, and he directed the Overland Campaign against General Robert E Lee’s forces in Virginia.

His relentless strategy, though costly in terms of casualties, ultimately led to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Civil War.

Presidency: Challenges of Reconstruction

Grant’s military heroism made him a national icon, and in 1868, he was elected as the 18th President of the United States. He ran as the Republican candidate, advocating for the continued protection of African American civil rights and a strong Reconstruction policy in the South.

His campaign slogan, “Let us have peace,” captured the public’s desire for unity and healing after the war.

As president, Grant worked to enforce the Reconstruction Acts, ensuring that former Confederate states adhered to federal laws and provided civil rights to newly freed African Americans.

He was a staunch supporter of the 15th Amendment, which granted African American men the right to vote, and used federal troops to suppress violent white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Under his administration, the Department of Justice was established in 1870 to protect civil rights and combat racial violence in the South.

Despite his commitment to civil rights, Grant’s presidency was marred by widespread corruption scandals. Although Grant himself was known for his personal integrity, many of his political appointees were involved in bribery, fraud, and other illegal activities.

The Credit Mobilier scandal, the Whiskey Ring, and other episodes damaged his administration’s reputation. Grant’s loyalty to friends and associates often prevented him from addressing the corruption more effectively.

Grant’s struggles in office

In foreign policy, Grant’s administration sought to strengthen America’s international standing. His efforts to annex the Dominican Republic were unsuccessful, but he successfully resolved a long-standing dispute with Great Britain over damages caused by British-built Confederate ships, leading to the Treaty of Washington in 1871.

The treaty improved relations between the two countries and established a precedent for peaceful arbitration of international disputes.

However, economic difficulties also plagued Grant’s presidency. The Panic of 1873, a severe financial depression, led to widespread unemployment and suffering.

The economic downturn eroded support for Reconstruction, as many Northern voters turned their attention to their own financial struggles, leaving Southern African Americans more vulnerable to discrimination and violence.

A post-presidency world-tour

After leaving office in 1877, Grant embarked on a two-year world tour with his wife, Julia Dent Grant, visiting Europe, Asia, and Africa. Upon returning to the United States, Grant’s reputation was restored to some degree, and he was welcomed as a national hero.

However, financial misfortune struck the Grants again when a business partnership in which Grant invested heavily went bankrupt due to his partner’s embezzlement.

To support his family, Grant began writing his memoirs, which were published by Mark Twain. His memoirs, completed just days before his death, became a literary success and are still regarded as one of the best presidential autobiographies.

Grant died on July 23, 1885, from throat cancer at the age of 63. His funeral was a national event, and he was laid to rest in Grant’s Tomb in New York City, the largest mausoleum in North America.

Legacy of Ulysses S Grant

Ulysses S Grant’s legacy is complex. As a general, he is remembered as one of the most effective military leaders in American history, whose strategy and determination helped preserve the Union.

As a president, his administration’s achievements in protecting African American civil rights during Reconstruction were groundbreaking, even as his presidency was tainted by scandals.

In recent years, historians have reevaluated Grant’s presidency, acknowledging his commitment to civil rights and his role in shaping post-Civil War America.

Despite the scandals, Grant’s dedication to equality and justice, both as a soldier and a president, remains a significant part of his legacy.