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On this day in 1822, the regal (and rather woeful) face that stares you down from your fifty-dollar bills–Hiram (after his granddad) Ulysses Grant–was born in Point Pleasant, OH. The future Union powerhouse and 18th U.S president suffered the childhood nickname “Useless”–sloughing it off when he enrolled in West Point at seventeen, where he proved a peerless horseman (a skill that earned him some notoriety later in life when he was ticketed $20 for driving his horse too fast). After serving as a lieutenant in the Mexican-American War (1846-48), he remained in the Army until abruptly resigning in 1854…Rumors abounded that Brevet Colonel Robert C. Buchanan was riding him for his heavy drinking–Grant was a purported fan of Old Crow. Grant was also a cigar aficionado who loved to herald a new day by munching on pickles. If you want to spend the weekend reliving Grant’s Vicksburg Campaign, it’s likely there’s a Civil War reenactment event near you, but if that tribute’s too much of a schlep, you can always head up NYC’s Riverside Drive to Grant’s Tomb (admission’s free). And if anyone quizzes you on who’s “buried” there, remember: entombed, not buried, and it’s Grant and his wife.
Yakko: Ulysses Simpson Grant
Who would scream and rave and rant
Wakko: While drinking whiskey
Although risky
Cause he’d spill it on his pants
posted by elizabutt on 4-27-2007 at 1:33 pm
Modern historians have concluded Grant’s reputation for drink was a bit exaggerated, and suspicions are that Henry Halleck, his immediate superior, was a bit jealous of the attention Grant gained during his successes in the Western theatre of the US Civil War. In any event, I’m pretty sure the record shows that as President, he could socially consume a small quantity of alcohol (e.g. wine at State dinners) without “falling off the wagon”.
Grant’s Memoirs are a masterfully written account of his time through the Civil War. A classic, they proved to be one of the highest-selling books of the 19th century and were only completed just before his death. Look up the story of the memoirs and Mark Twain’s involvement in publishing them — it’s a good story in its own right.
People today don’t realize how HUGE of a worldwide hero Grant was following the Civil War. He did a “world tour” in which he and wife Julia were greeted by huge crowds wherever they visited.
posted by Sid on 4-27-2007 at 1:46 pm
This is unrelated, but I’d be really interested in seeing a post about the history of the bagel. I find it fascinating because it’s seen as such a Jewish food, but living in Israel I’ve noticed that it’s very difficult to get a good bagel around here. Only in Jerusalem, where there are a lot of Americans, can they make a good bagel. Can you tell me more?
posted by Abi on 4-28-2007 at 2:00 pm
My husband and I were wondering why the Grant Memorial is in New York City.
Why not Ohio or even Washington d.c.?
posted by Lauren on 4-30-2007 at 9:49 am