Ulysses S. Grant was actually born, Hiram Ulysses Grant, in 1822. His name was accidently changed when he was accepted at West Point after a mistake by his Congressman, Thomas Hamer. After graduation, Grant was posted to the 4th Infantry, and served in the Mexican War, serving as a regimental quartermaster.

He was working in his fathers store when the Civil War broke out and he offered his services to the War Department but could not gain an appointment. He organized volunteers from Illinois and on April 24, 1861, ten days after the fall of Fort Sumpter, Captain Grant arrived in Springfield Illinois with a company of men he had raised. The governor appointed him a colonel and by August he was a brigadier general of the volunteers.

Grant's willingness to fight, and his ability to win, impressed President Lincoln who was tired of ineffectual generals. He promoted Grant to lieutenant general on March 2, 1864, and on March 12, Grant became general-in-chief of all the armies of the United States. He became a four star general in 1866, the first since Washington.

Created/Published : Between 1860 and 1870

Creator : Mathew Brady, photographer, 1823-1896

LC Digital ID:

Forms part of the Brady Civil War Photographic Collection housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

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Product #: 21604036