Ten interesting facts about General Ulysses S. Grant

General Ulysses S Grant holds the number on position on our Top 10 list of US Civil War Generals. Here are ten more facts you may not know about him:

1. As a young man, he had a fear of horses, but overcame it and became an excellent equestrian.
2. During the Civil War, he famously declared “I will fight with every ounce of my being” in a letter to President Lincoln.
3. Grant was the first President to have a beard while in office.
4. He was a heavy smoker and was often seen with a cigar in his hand.
5. Grant was known for his humble and modest personality, despite his military and political success.
6. He signed into law the 15th Amendment, giving African American men the right to vote.
7. Grant was a strong advocate for education and helped create the Department of Education.
8. He made a world tour after leaving the presidency, visiting countries such as Japan, India, and Egypt.
9. Grant was the first president to be photographed while in office.
10. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in American history.

Despite his many accomplishments, Grant’s presidency was not without controversy. He was criticized for his handling of the economy, and his administration was plagued by scandal and corruption. Nevertheless, Grant remained a beloved figure in American history, known for his humble and modest personality and his tireless devotion to his country.

After leaving the presidency, Grant embarked on a world tour, visiting countries such as Japan, India, and Egypt. He also wrote his memoirs, which are considered one of the greatest works of American military history. He was a strong advocate for veterans and worked tirelessly to support them, until his death from cancer on July 23, 1885 at the age of 63.

Today, Ulysses S. Grant is remembered as one of the greatest military commanders in American history, a president who worked to promote civil rights and rebuild the country after the Civil War, and a man of humble and modest character. His legacy lives on through his writings, the monuments that honor his memory, and the countless people who continue to be inspired by his example.

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