U.S. Grant, 18th President of the United States

Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States

Ulysses S. Grant was born 203 years ago today, on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio. He grew up in Georgetown, Ohio, where he developed strong horsemanship skills. Grant attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1843.

During the Civil War, Grant rose to prominence as a Union general known for his strategic brilliance. His leadership in key battles, including the Siege of Vicksburg and the Battle of Chattanooga, solidified his reputation. In 1864, President Lincoln appointed him General-in-Chief of the Union Army, where he led the final campaigns that secured victory.

As the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877, Grant, a member of the Republican Party, focused on Reconstruction and civil rights. His administration worked to protect freed slaves, dismantle the Ku Klux Klan, and promote economic growth. He also played a key role in stabilizing the post-war nation and advancing infrastructure development.

• Grant married Julia Dent in 1848, and they had four children together. Despite military and political pressures, his devotion to his family remained strong throughout his life.
• On April 9, 1865, Grant met with Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House, where Lee surrendered, effectively ending the Civil War. Grant’s generous terms helped foster national healing.
• The phrase "Who is buried in Grant’s Tomb?" refers to Ulysses S. Grant himself and is often used as a rhetorical question. Grant’s tomb, the largest mausoleum in North America, is located in New York City.
• The Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, located at Mississippi State University, preserves a vast collection of documents related to his life and presidency. Nearby landmarks include the Grant Presidential Museum and the Ulysses S. Grant Association headquarters. And, to collect your own piece of history while in the area check out the local antique shops. Here's the best places.

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by Roger Culpepper