Odd Facts About Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) was the 18th President of the United States, elected on the strength of his service leading the Union forces to victory during the American Civil War. His was a two-term Republican presidency, marked by scandal.

As is commonly known, Ulysses S. Grant assumed his name in preference to Hiram Ulysses Grant at West Point due to an error on his application. Actually, he never did care for the idea of having the initials "HUG" and reversed the first and middle name to become Ulysses Hiram Grant. At West Point, the error was compounded when his name was entered as Ulysses Simpson and he kept the name rather than contest it, since he would not have been accepted.

Mark Twain advanced Grant $20,000 to Grant for his memoirs in exchange for 20% of profits. In 1885, the ailing Grant worked despite increasing weakness, finishing the writing just two days before his 1885 death of throat cancer (he smoked 20 cigars a day). His share of the profits amounted to more than $450,000 and provided a legacy for his family as he had hoped.

A Mexican War officer twice brevetted for bravery, Grant opposed the war which he felt had a stronger country victimizing a weaker and aimed at expanding slavery in the United States.

He resigned from the Army in 1854. When the Civil War broke out, Grant was working in a leather store in Ohio.

In 1865, Grant was made a four star general. Even George Washington had only been a three star general.

Grant entered the Civil War as a colonel of volunteers.

Grant's frequent breakfast during the Civil war was a cucumber soaked in vinegar. He hated the sight of blood and on those occasions when he ate meat, it was seriously overcooked for him to be able to eat it.

Grant's weakeness was whiskey, but by age 40 (1862), his drinking was under control.

Grant established the first national park at Yellowstone on March 1, 1872.

On the Groucho Marx-hosted TV game show of the 1950's, You Bet Your Life, guests who lost were given a chance to win a consolation prize by answering the question "who's buried in Grant's tomb." The correct answer is Ulysses S. Grant. But it would also be correct to say Julia Dent Grant, the wife of the one-time president and general. The tomb is in Riverside Park in Manhattan.

The former president embarked on a two-year world tour after leaving the White House, and visited Japan where a tree he planted still stands in the Shibaken section of Tokyo.

Grant was once fined $20 for speeding...on horseback.

Grant endured his four years at West Point and finished at number 21 out of a class of 39 in 1843.

Grant courted Julia Dent before they married and he remained devoted to her throughout his life. She called him by the nicknames Dodo, Dudy, Dode, and Victor. They had four children.