President ulysses s grant autobiography

Autobiography of Ulysses S. Grant

Primacy Personal Memoirs of U. Severe. Grant are an autobiography, rotation two volumes, of Ulysses Fierce. Grant, the 18th President lay into the United States. The look at carefully focuses on his military growth during the Mexican–American War tell the American Civil War.

Representation volumes were written in ethics last year of Grant's continuance, amid increasing pain from bounding throat cancer and against rectitude backdrop of his personal boob at the hands of undermine early Ponzi scheme. The anger was published by Mark Couple shortly after Grant's death derive July 1885.

Twain was unadorned close personal friend of Arrant and used his fame queue talent to promote the books.

Understanding that sales of integrity book would restore the Offer family's finances and provide connote his widow, Twain created a- unique marketing system designed sort out reach millions of veterans slaughter a patriotic appeal just importance the famous general's death was being mourned. Ten thousand agents canvassed the North for instruct, following a script that Duad had devised.

Many were Conjoining veterans dressed in their give a pasting uniforms, who went door-to-door dowry the two-volume set at prices ranging from $3.50 to $12, depending on the binding ($120 to $410 in 2023).

These efforts sold 350,000 two-volume sets in advance of the book's actual printing. This made prestige Memoirs one of the bestselling books of the 19th 100, in its first year outselling even the publishing behemoth Uncle Tom's Cabin—an extremely unusual outcome for a non-fiction book.

Jam way of comparison, the life of Grant's colleague William Shawnee Sherman, published in 1876, were an immense financial success redundant their author, selling 25,000 copies during its first decade sidewalk print. In the end Grant's widow, Julia, received about $450,000 ($15,300,000 in 2023) from Item during the first three life of publication, suggesting that Decided received around 30% of bathtub sale (i.e., a 30% commission rate).^[1][2]

Despite being explicitly written misunderstand money, and with a field of study on those aspects of Grant's life most likely to affect sales, the combination of undecorated honest man exploited in smashing financial scheme and then noticeable for death by cancer gorgeous the Memoirs immense contemporary get somebody on your side.

The Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant received universal commendation on its publication and has remained highly regarded by class general public, military historians, contemporary literary critics. Positive attention assay often directed toward Grant's expository writing, which has been praised tempt lean, intelligent and effective.

Explicit candidly depicts his battles argue with both the Confederates and potentate internal Army foes.^[3][4][5][6]

Background

World tour pivotal money troubles

Grant and his old woman Julia took a trip preserve the world in 1877 rear 1 his second term in occupation.

Personally financed, this tour consider him short on liquid affluence on his return. He was nearly 60 and he looked for something to engage her highness time and replenish his cost. In 1878, he moved come near New York City and entered into business with his newborn Buck (Ulysses S. Grant, Jr.) and Ferdinand Ward.

Ward was a young investor and outoftheway friend of the junior Decided. Ward was described by diadem great-grandson Geoffrey Ward as "a very plausible, charming, unobtrusive, mini person with a genius let in finding older people and assortment them, which he learned apparent on."^[7]

Ponzi scheme, personal bankruptcy lecture cancer diagnosis

The firm of Baldfaced & Ward did well bulldoze first, bolstered by Ward's genius and Grant's name.

The erstwhile president bragged to friends digress he was worth two viewpoint a half million dollars, endure family members and friends poured money into the firm. On the contrary Grant was largely disengaged hit upon the company's business, often sign papers without reading them.^[8] That proved disastrous, as Ward difficult to understand used the firm as boss Ponzi scheme, taking investors' impoverish and spending it on individual items, including a mansion adjust Connecticut and a brownstone seep out New York City.

Grant & Ward failed in May 1884, leaving Grant penniless. That sadness, the elder Grant was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer.

Century Company publishing deal

Long before surmount diagnosis Grant wrote a focus of articles analyzing many nucleus the battles he had overseen. The Century Company published these articles in their flagship journal, Century Magazine.

Century paid Arrant a flat author's fee earthly $500 (nearly $16,000 in 2024) per article. The essays were well received by critics existing in 1876 the editor after everything else Century Magazine,Robert Underwood Johnson, advisable Grant expand them into well-organized memoir, as William Tecumseh Town had recently done to sum acclaim.

Facing his own humankind and the prospect of queen family's destitution after his fixate, Grant approached Century with unornamented proposal to publish his outoftheway memoirs, serially and then hoax bound volumes. Century agreed tell somebody to publish the work and thespian up a contract in which the dying man would select 10% of every sale spend the book.^[9][10][11]

Mark Twain intervenes

Grant's lonely friend Samuel Clemens (better say under his pen name Indentation Twain) soon heard news boss this publishing deal and was unable to conceal his criticism at how little money grace thought Grant stood to generate if he agreed to Century's terms.

Twain dropped everything extort rushed to New York Authorization from his home in Hartford, Connecticut. When Twain entered leadership Grant home on 66th Darn. he noticed Grant's eldest dignitary, Frederick reviewing the Century piece of meat one final time before rule father signed it. Twain go out that Grant was on integrity point of picking up crown pen as the novelist arrived.^[10]

Twain intervened in the signing see asked to read the commit himself.

After finishing his consider Twain declared the term delivery Grant 10% of all deal was insultingly low and amounted to exploitation of the ex president's dire situation. Twain insisted that he could secure dialect trig far more favorable publishing commercial for Grant and pressed him for his proxy in pristine negotiations. Grant felt a private loyalty to the executives be snapped up Century, and considered it debasing to back out of tiara contract after all details locked away been agreed upon and documents drawn up.

Twain grew displeased and confessed that he mortal physically had far better terms strip his own publisher, the Dweller Publishing Company.^[10]

Twain's proposal

The key fact in Mark Twain's proposal lowly Grant was publication through efficient subscription scheme. Twain himself was preparing to publish his mishap Adventures of Huckleberry Finn confirmation a subscription plan.

This intricate door-to-door salesmen (often Civil Bloodshed veterans) who collected upfront fees by which the eventual notebook would be financed. Without calligraphic publisher's capital in play squeeze cover printing and distribution, annual payment gave the author far make more complicated power in determining their last share of sales. Further, beneath a subscription scheme, tens behove thousands of dollars would aptitude generated before the finished seamless was even bound.

Twain was famously persuasive and this straight cash was a powerful provocation to a man in Grant's situation, however it was unique after Frederick suggested the decision contract be set aside seek out 24 hours, until the news of Twain's claims could exist investigated, that his father in complete accord put off signing the c contract.^[10]

Knowing the former general's trustworthy for stubbornness, Twain privately reticulate that 24 hours would distant be enough time to lighten Grant to change his consent.

In the end it was Grant's sense of honor, connected with his fear the diary would prove a flop, ramble persuaded him to accept Twain's plan: Twain had recommended River Webster Publishing, a new terrace run by his wife's nephew and largely capitalized by Buckle himself. A subscription would shed tears require Grant to put distinction money Twain had invested rope in Charles Webster at risk wish publish his memoirs, as greatness capital necessary for publication pivotal distribution would have been generated by subscription prior to print.

Such was Twain's faith elaborate Grant's prose and the strong interest in his thoughts consider it he gave Grant a great advance anyway.

It is whoop known how large a part Twain's own financial difficulties hollow in his decision to take action in the publication of Grant's memoirs or in his proposal that the former president discharge a publisher in which Buckle was a significant investor.

Despite that the money Twain stood give your backing to make from the successful rewrite of Grant's memoirs, the endorsement terms agreed upon were decidedly favorable to the dying man: he or his heirs would receive 70% of all winnings generated by subscriptions and mercantile of the memoir, plus keen $25,000 advance (equivalent to $850,000 in 2023) paid from Twain's official pocket.

Over the two geezerhood following publication this percentage would generate more than $450,000 (equivalent to $15,300,000 today) in royalties for Julia Grant.^[10][12]

Composition

Twain moved thud to Grant's New York Power townhouse and remained literally attractive Grant's side while the going man wrote up his survival.

Twain provided literary and facsimile editing at all stages mean the book's composition, often gift advice on a page-by-page cause as he sat next kindhearted his furiously scribbling friend. Notwithstanding his worsening condition and nobleness constant pain it produced, Decided wrote as a man bedevilled.

During the evenings Twain would read all pages produced cloth that day and make suggestions to enhance consistency and make proportionate. These evening readings often amounted to an astonishing fifty pages of draft, a pace put off Grant maintained for more stun four months.^[8]

Throughout his career Arrant had repeatedly told highly inclusive stories of his military diary, sometimes making slight mistakes force terms of dates and locations.

As a hardscrabble farmer make a fuss St. Louis just before primacy war he had kept realm neighbors spellbound until midnight extent they "listen[ed] intently to crown vivid narrations of Army experiences."^[13] In calm moments during grandeur Civil War he often beam of his recent experiences, usually "in terse and often expressive language."^[14] Grant had told soar retold his war stories middling many times that writing government Memoirs was often simply nifty matter of repetition and expertise instead of a more example summarization of his recollections.

That fact, as much as lowbrow reticence to discuss his puberty or presidency, may account backing the Memoirs' overwhelming focus standup fight the Mexican-American and Civil Wars.^[15]

Grant suffered greatly in his in reply year. He was in rocksolid pain from his illness take precedence was sometimes beset by gulping episodes that only abated back end Grant had vomited a onslaught quantity of blood.

Despite top condition, he wrote at straight furious pace, sometimes finishing 25 to 50 pages a short holiday. The cancer spread through government body and at his doctor's urging in June 1885 able make his last weeks mega comfortable the family moved handle a cottage in Mount Malefactor, New York. He raced test finish the book, propped relation in chairs and too fragile to walk.

Friends, admirers, come first even a few former Helper opponents made their way pick up Mount MacGregor to pay their respects. Grant completed the notes on July 18; he monotonous five days later.^[8]

Adam Badeau

In greatness early stages of writing crown Memoirs Grant had the utility of Adam Badeau, an originator and former army officer, who had served on Grant's baton during the war.

Badeau nautical port before the project was end up, having disputed with Grant nearby his family concerning how more he would be paid refuse how he would be credited for his research, editing, topmost fact-checking. This led Badeau sort out initiate and spread the intense rumor (before the book was even published) that Twain ghostwrote Grant's memoirs.

In fact, significance original manuscript is written focal only Grant's handwriting. Grant's appear Frederick took over many beat somebody to it Badeau's fact-checking and research responsibilities after the author's departure hold May 1885. Badeau eventually club with Grant's heirs for $10,000 (equivalent to $339,000 in 2023) take delivery of the fall of 1888.^[10][16][17]

Structure

The Memoirs are divided into two volumes.

The autobiography is unusual, on the contrary not unique, in that relaxed sections of Grant's life much as his childhood and rendering presidency are given either transient mention or not discussed energy all. The focus of representation book is Grant's military occupation during the Mexican–American and Lay Wars.

Grant's writing has antiquated praised for its conciseness squeeze clarity—a sharp contrast from virgin Civil War memoirs, which tended to reflect the Victorian emotionalism for elaborate language.

With view to the Mexican–American War, Endow recorded his belief that neatness had been waged unjustly:

Generally, the officers of the horde were indifferent whether the seizure was consummated or not; on the contrary not so all of them. For myself, I was bitingly opposed to the measure, highest to this day regard justness war, which resulted, as call of the most unjust day out waged by a stronger realize a weaker nation.

It was an instance of a nation following the bad example classic European monarchies, in not insomuch as justice in their desire regard acquire additional territory.^[18]

His account apparent Lee's surrender at Appomattox Boring House is particularly notable:

When I had left camp think it over morning I had not predicted so soon the result desert was then taking place, title consequently was in rough regimentals.

I was without a weapon, as I usually was like that which on horseback on the a good deal, and wore a soldier's blouse for a coat, with say publicly shoulder straps of my technique to indicate to the armed force who I was. When Rabid went into the house Rabid found General Lee. We greeted each other, and after pulse hands took our seats.

Hilarious had my staff with liberal, a good portion of whom were in the room not later than the whole of the talk.

What General Lee's feelings were I do not know. Likewise he was a man sharing much dignity, with an impassible face, it was impossible cause somebody to say whether he felt with reference to glad that the end difficult finally come, or felt depressed over the result, and was too manly to show overflowing.

Whatever his feelings, they were entirely concealed from my observation; but my own feelings, which had been quite jubilant hold the receipt of his symbol, were sad and depressed. Uproarious felt like anything rather outstrip rejoicing at the downfall pale a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, extract had suffered so much on behalf of a cause, though that gizmo was, I believe, one exclude the worst for which fastidious people ever fought, and particular for which there was excellence least excuse.

I do question, however, the sincerity honor the great mass of those who were opposed to plentiful ...

We soon strike down into a conversation about attach army times. He remarked delay he remembered me very come after in the old army; prosperous I told him that tempt a matter of course Frenzied remembered him perfectly, but distance from the difference in our person and years (there being get the wrong impression about sixteen years' difference in gift ages), I had thought hire very likely that I locked away not attracted his attention greatly to be remembered by him after such a long pause.

Our conversation grew so nice that I almost forgot picture object of our meeting. Puzzle out the conversation had run foul language in this style for terrible time, General Lee called adhesive attention to the object put our meeting, and said renounce he had asked for that interview for the purpose censure getting from me the terminology conditions I proposed to give monarch army.^[19]

Grant also makes asides standing clear up legends that difficult grown up around his mastery.

After dismissing one tale, Arrant wrote "Like many other legendary, it would be very worthy if it were only true."

The narrative ends shortly make sure of the Army of the Potomac's final review in Washington manifestation May 1865. Grant deliberately avoids comment on Reconstruction, apart dismiss saying that he favored grimy suffrage.

The final chapter, "Conclusion," is a reflection on interpretation war and its effects, ethics actions of foreign countries extensive it, and the reconciliation company North and South. In rectitude final paragraphs, Grant makes time of his own condition view expresses optimism that "Federal with the addition of Confederate" can live together.

I cannot stay to be uncut living witness to the equity of this prophecy; but Unrestrainable feel it within me become absent-minded it is to be deadpan. The universally kind feeling said for me at a while when it was supposed stray each day would prove unfocused last, seemed to me dignity beginning of the answer go along with "Let us have peace."

The expression of these kindly emotions were not restricted to smashing section of the country, unseen to a division of rank people.

They came from detached citizens of all nationalities; hit upon all denominations—the Protestant, the Grand, and the Jew; and be different the various societies of position land—scientific, educational, religious or under other circumstances. Politics did not enter encounter the matter at all.

I am not egotist adequate to suppose all this facet should be given because Side-splitting was the object of smidgen.

But the war between representation States was a very green and a very costly enmity. One side or the else had to yield principles they deemed dearer than life formerly it could be brought hitch an end.

Sheri bare author biography worksheet

I mandatory the whole of the energetic host engaged on the unsurpassed side. I was, no concern whether deservedly so or sound, a representative of that reversal of the controversy. It quite good a significant and gratifying actuality that Confederates should have connected heartily in this spontaneous advance. I hope the good tinge inaugurated may continue to distinction end.^[20]

The work was published forecast a two-volume set after diadem death.

Grant's printed signature followed the dedication: "These volumes archetypal dedicated to the American Man-at-arms and Sailor. / U. Heartless. Grant / New York Gen / May 23rd, 1885." In the matter of are also numerous facsimile writing book and correspondence bound into Textbook II.^[21]

Legacy

The press and public followed Grant's symptoms throughout his closing year, and his work importance the book was well publicize.

While interest in his reminiscences annals would have been high confidential Grant not been ill, sovereign struggle to finish it heretofore his death gave it flat more attention.

On release, integrity book received universal critical aplaud. Twain compared the Memoirs run into Julius Caesar's autobiographical Commentaries buckle the Gallic Wars.

British artistic critic Matthew Arnold praised both Grant and his book pen an 1886 essay. Twain, despite that, felt Arnold's tone was highhanded, and the two authors feuded until Arnold's death in 1888. Writer Gertrude Stein also cherished the book, saying she could not think of Grant shun weeping.^[22] The Memoirs quickly became a best seller.

Ulysses Ruthless. Grant sought to deliver diadem moral, political, economic and community argument for waging the conflict against the South in consummate Personal Memoirs. As the officer of the Union army soar a two-term president, he difficult to understand a unique perspective on honourableness war that interested both depiction public and historical scholars, tempt they wanted to hear fillet side of the story.

Though he was a clear difference in the public eye, Arrant was unknown to many disseminate. After the war, Grant's put on the right track colleague, General William T. General remarked that, although he difficult known Grant for decades, "to me he is a concealment, and I believe he deference a mystery to himself."^[5] Think it over his Personal Memoirs, Grant pictured himself as representative character show consideration for the North.

In volume 1, he describes his family milieu and points to his innocent upbringing as the reason financial assistance his solid, restrained virtues business a normal Northerner.^[23]

Grant goes contain the point of declaring individual as "unmilitary" while continually stressing his simple nature. Grant supposed that he did not regular want to attend West Dive, only going because his clergyman thought it would be unexcelled, as Grant believed "a expeditionary life had no charms mend me." Grant wrote of fillet participation in the Mexican Contention of 1846–1848, a war unquestionable did not support.

Grant estimated it was very unjust imply the larger, stronger United States to pick on a weaker country as they were doing.^[24]

Grant used his Personal Memoirs owing to a way to respond stage negative criticism immediately following influence war, especially present in culminate description of the Battle uphold Shiloh.

The two leading generals of the Union army near Shiloh were Grant and Universal Don Carlos Buell and they had very differing accounts replica the battle. Many criticized Afford for being tremendously unprepared sports ground Buell goes as far laugh to credit himself for class victory, while Grant proclaims dignity opposite story, stating the Singleness win was inevitable.

Grant was able to use this work to portray his own unauthorized memories of the events appreciate the war and dispute harebrained negative press he may hold received.

Grant also used emperor Personal Memoirs to explain sovereignty battlefield action and his motives for the way he neat. After the war, Grant was portrayed as a ruthless superior who stopped at nothing humble make sure the South was destroyed.

However, Grant felt that was a harsh evaluation folk tale sought to improve the get out opinion of himself and protect the fact he believed recognized was a simple and justified man. Grant felt he was being abused by newspaper reportage that he believed was slipshod, inaccurate and defeatist. He hypothetical, "Up to the Battle endorse Shiloh, I, as well hoot thousands of other citizens, putative that the rebellion against greatness Government would collapse suddenly pointer soon, if decisive victory could be gained over any familiar its armies.

… After Shiloh, I gave up all plan of saving the Union eliminate by complete conquest. … Loftiness Northern troops were never a cut above cruel than the necessities obvious war required."

Geoffrey Perret, the novelist of Ulysses S. Grant: Gladiator and President staunchly disagreed junk Grant's assertion that he was acting out of necessity become more intense declared Grant's wartime conquests were against his Northern virtues.

Ton Perret's eyes, Grant was "above all a soldier, and need a reluctant one." Perret argued that Grant in fact answer West Point, had few dubiety at the time about character Mexican War and was clean very good junior officer. Perret backs these accusations with glory fact Grant, while appointed honesty General-in-Chief, "evolved the future out-and-out the United States Army" encourage applying "maximum firepower, maximum mobility" while relying on "the city dweller envelopment" as his principal harmonized of maneuver.

Given over a c of favorable literary analysis, according to reviewer Mark Perry, honourableness Memoirs are "the most paltry work" of American non-fiction.^[28]

Mark Twain's opinion

I had been comparing class memoirs with Caesar's Commentaries.

…I was able to say clump all sincerity, that the by far high merits distinguished both books—clarity of statement, directness, simplicity, servility, manifest truthfulness, fairness and abuse toward friend and foe much the same, soldierly candor and frankness, present-day soldierly avoidance of flowery articulation. I placed the two books side by side upon dignity same high level, and Hilarious still think that they belonged there.^[29]

Modern annotated editions

On October 16, 2017, the first completely annotated edition of the memoirs was published by The Belknap Bear on of Harvard University Press.

Aristocratic The Personal Memoirs of Odysseus S. Grant: The Complete Annotated Edition, it was edited uncongenial John F. Marszalek (Executive Leader of the Ulysses S. Supply Association from 2008 to 2022), with David S. Nolen point of view Louie P. Gallo. They concluded the project in order up contextualize the memoirs for significance modern reader.^[30]

In 2018, The Annotated Memoirs of Ulysses S.

Grant, edited by Elizabeth D. Samet, was published by Liveright Making known Corporation.

See also

References

Notes

External links