Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was a Union general in the American Civil War and the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877).

Legacy

Anti-Semitism

Grant's legacy has been marred by the possibility of anti-Semitism. The most frequently cited example is the infamous General Order No. 11, issued by Grant's headquarters in Oxford, Mississippi, on December 17, 1862, during the early Vicksburg Campaign. The order stated in part:

Related Topics:
Anti-Semitism - General Order No. 11 - Oxford, Mississippi - December 17 - 1862 - Vicksburg Campaign

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: The Jews, as a class, violating every regulation of trade established by the Treasury Department, and also Department orders, are hereby expelled from the Department .

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The order was almost immediately rescinded by President Lincoln. Grant and his supporters (originally those who endorsed his bid for the White House) maintain that he was unaware that a staff officer issued it in his name. It also was portrayed as being outside the normal inclinations and character of the man, an aberration that was at most a temporary failure of judgment. And it was meant to apply to certain businessmen ("peddlers") with whom Grant had personal and professional difficulties over the years, not an entire religious class. There is evidence in other personal correspondence that this was Grant's focus.

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The issue of anti-Semitism was raised during the 1868 presidential campaign and Grant consulted with a number of Jewish community leaders, all of whom he was able to convince (at least according to their public reactions) that Order 11 was an anomaly and he was not an anti-Semite. He won the majority of the Jewish vote in his two election campaigns and maintained good relations with the community throughout his administration, on both political and social levels.

Related Topics:
1868 - Presidential campaign

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In Memoriam and trivia

In World War II, the British Army produced an armored vehicle known as the Grant tank (a version of the American M3 model, which was ironically nicknamed the "Lee").

Related Topics:
World War II - British Army - Grant tank - M3 model

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Grant's portrait appears on the U.S. $50 bill.

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The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., honors Grant.

Related Topics:
Ulysses S. Grant Memorial - Capitol Hill

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There is a U.S. Grant Bridge over the Ohio River at Portsmouth, Ohio.

Related Topics:
U.S. Grant Bridge - Ohio River - Portsmouth, Ohio

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Grant's nicknames included: The Hero of Appomattox, "Unconditional Surrender" Grant, Sam Grant (originating at West Point, from "U. S." Grant suggesting "Uncle Sam"), The Great Captain and, in his youth, Ulys, Lyss and Useless.

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Counties in nine U.S. states are named after Grant: Grant County, Arkansas; Grant County, Kansas; Grant County, Minnesota; Grant County, Nebraska; Grant County, New Mexico; Grant County, North Dakota; Grant County, Oklahoma; Grant County, Washington; and Grant County, West Virginia.

Related Topics:
Counties - U.S. state - Grant County, Arkansas - Grant County, Kansas - Grant County, Minnesota - Grant County, Nebraska - Grant County, New Mexico - Grant County, North Dakota - Grant County, Oklahoma - Grant County, Washington - Grant County, West Virginia

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Grant is the only President on record to receive a speeding ticket for running his horse and buggy through the streets of Washington, D.C.

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