Ulysses S. Grant: the record

Unconditional Surrender. The 18th president, 1869-1877, from Ohio. Every story here is tagged Record, meaning it’s documented, or Legend, meaning it gets told a lot and doesn’t hold up. Each one links to its source.

President: 18th
In office: 1869-1877
Home state: Ohio
Party: Republican
Height: 5'8"

The record

RecordAt West Point, Grant was the best rider in his class. On a huge horse named York, he set a high jump record that stood for about 25 years.Source: National Park Service, Graduation Day: Grant and the West Point Class of 1843
RecordWhen the Confederate commander at Fort Donelson asked for terms in 1862, Grant answered that he'd accept nothing except an unconditional surrender. Newspapers turned his initials into a nickname: Unconditional Surrender Grant.Source: National Park Service, Grant at Fort Donelson
RecordNear the end of his life, broke and sick with throat cancer, Grant raced to finish his memoirs so his family would have money. He finished days before he died, and the book sold hugely.Source: Miller Center, Grant
RecordAfter the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864, Grant's army took heavy losses. Generals before him had pulled back after fights like that. Grant ordered the army south, deeper into Virginia.Source: National Park Service, Grant at the Wilderness

What he cared about

Protecting the rights of freed people during Reconstruction. He used federal power against the Ku Klux Klan.
Paying down the war debt and keeping the dollar sound.
A "peace policy" toward Native nations, which often broke down in practice.

The full record

Before the war Grant owned one enslaved man, William Jones, and freed him in 1859. During the war he issued an order expelling Jewish people from his district, which Lincoln canceled.

How he fights in POTUS KO

Short, stubborn infighting

Grant won by refusing to back off. Where other generals pulled back after a bad day, he kept moving forward. In the ring, once he's figured you out, he just keeps coming.

See POTUS KO

Questions about Ulysses S. Grant

Where did the nickname Unconditional Surrender Grant come from?

When the Confederate commander at Fort Donelson asked for terms in 1862, Grant answered that he'd accept nothing except an unconditional surrender. Newspapers turned his initials into a nickname: Unconditional Surrender Grant.

Why did Ulysses S. Grant write his memoirs?

Near the end of his life, broke and sick with throat cancer, Grant raced to finish his memoirs so his family would have money. He finished days before he died, and the book sold hugely.

Was Grant a good horseman?

At West Point, Grant was the best rider in his class. On a huge horse named York, he set a high jump record that stood for about 25 years.