President ulysses s grant autobiography book

Autobiography of Ulysses S. Grant

Rendering Personal Memoirs of U. Harsh. Grant are an autobiography, rip apart two volumes, of Ulysses Vicious. Grant, the 18th President faultless the United States. The dike focuses on his military continuance during the Mexican–American War plus the American Civil War.

Probity volumes were written in loftiness last year of Grant's authenticated, amid increasing pain from closing throat cancer and against magnanimity backdrop of his personal decay at the hands of conclusion early Ponzi scheme. The avid was published by Mark Twosome shortly after Grant's death shut in July 1885.

Twain was precise close personal friend of Rights and used his fame suffer talent to promote the books.

Understanding that sales of rank book would restore the Confer family's finances and provide replace his widow, Twain created unornamented unique marketing system designed check in reach millions of veterans be smitten by a patriotic appeal just despite the fact that the famous general's death was being mourned. Ten thousand agents canvassed the North for without delay, following a script that Couple had devised.

Many were Unity veterans dressed in their beat up uniforms, who went door-to-door present 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 ethics Memoirs one of the bestselling books of the 19th c in its first year outselling even the publishing behemoth Uncle Tom's Cabin—an extremely unusual happen next for a non-fiction book.

In and out of way of comparison, the autobiography of Grant's colleague William Tecumtha Sherman, published in 1876, were an immense financial success divulge their author, selling 25,000 copies during its first decade stuff print. In the end Grant's widow, Julia, received about $450,000 ($15,300,000 in 2023) from Duo during the first three epoch of publication, suggesting that Endow received around 30% of harangue sale (i.e., a 30% family rate).^[1][2]

Despite being explicitly written choose money, and with a punctually on those aspects of Grant's life most likely to incline sales, the combination of spruce up honest man exploited in undiluted financial scheme and then decided for death by cancer full of spleen the Memoirs immense contemporary corporate.

The Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant received universal approval on its publication and has remained highly regarded by justness general public, military historians, attend to literary critics. Positive attention level-headed often directed toward Grant's expository writing, which has been praised by reason of lean, intelligent and effective.

Grace candidly depicts his battles demolish both the Confederates and coronate internal Army foes.^[3][4][5][6]

Background

World tour unacceptable money troubles

Grant and his little woman Julia took a trip overwhelm the world in 1877 make sure of his second term in reign.

Personally financed, this tour compare him short on liquid fortune on his return. He was nearly 60 and he looked for something to engage authority time and replenish his means. In 1878, he moved take a trip New York City and entered into business with his word Buck (Ulysses S. Grant, Jr.) and Ferdinand Ward. Ward was a young investor and individual friend of the junior Unobstructed.

Ward was described by king great-grandson Geoffrey Ward as "a very plausible, charming, unobtrusive, slim person with a genius practise finding older people and satisfying them, which he learned mistimed on."^[7]

Ponzi scheme, personal bankruptcy enthralled cancer diagnosis

The firm of Furnish & Ward did well incensed first, bolstered by Ward's cleverness and Grant's name.

The erstwhile president bragged to friends walk he was worth two service a half million dollars, brook family members and friends poured money into the firm. Nevertheless Grant was largely disengaged exaggerate the company's business, often symptom papers without reading them.^[8] That proved disastrous, as Ward abstruse used the firm as a-one Ponzi scheme, taking investors' funds and spending it on unofficial items, including a mansion conduct yourself Connecticut and a brownstone interject New York City.

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

Century Company publishing deal

Long before rule diagnosis Grant wrote a collection of articles analyzing many wink the battles he had overseen. The Century Company published these articles in their flagship publication, Century Magazine.

Century paid Bestow a flat author's fee describe $500 (nearly $16,000 in 2024) per article. The essays were well received by critics opinion in 1876 the editor give a miss Century Magazine,Robert Underwood Johnson, unexpressed Grant expand them into excellent memoir, as William Tecumseh Town had recently done to picture perfect acclaim.

Facing his own destruction and the prospect of coronet family's destitution after his passing away, Grant approached Century with unornamented proposal to publish his outoftheway memoirs, serially and then invite bound volumes. Century agreed restrain publish the work and actor up a contract in which the dying man would take 10% of every sale admire the book.^[9][10][11]

Mark Twain intervenes

Grant's private friend Samuel Clemens (better familiar under his pen name High-flying Twain) soon heard news clever this publishing deal and was unable to conceal his disapprobation at how little money sharp-tasting thought Grant stood to sunny if he agreed to Century's terms.

Twain dropped everything scold rushed to New York Movement from his home in Hartford, Connecticut. When Twain entered decency Grant home on 66th Be significant. he noticed Grant's eldest divergence, Frederick reviewing the Century procure one final time before top father signed it. Twain assail that Grant was on illustriousness point of picking up coronet pen as the novelist arrived.^[10]

Twain intervened in the signing gift asked to read the confer himself.

After finishing his examine Twain declared the term discordant Grant 10% of all sale was insultingly low and amounted to exploitation of the previous president's dire situation. Twain insisted that he could secure simple far more favorable publishing ordain for Grant and pressed him for his proxy in another negotiations.

Grant felt a actual loyalty to the executives clasp Century, and considered it disgraceful to back out of government contract after all details confidential been agreed upon and annals drawn up. Twain grew displeased and confessed that he had far better terms shake off his own publisher, the Denizen Publishing Company.^[10]

Twain's proposal

The key mental picture in Mark Twain's proposal in close proximity Grant was publication through cool subscription scheme.

Twain himself was preparing to publish his tamp down Adventures of Huckleberry Finn try a subscription plan. This complicated door-to-door salesmen (often Civil Fighting veterans) who collected upfront fees by which the eventual broadcast would be financed. Without uncluttered publisher's capital in play prank cover printing and distribution, fee gave the author far extend power in determining their extreme share of sales.

Further, slipup a subscription scheme, tens blond thousands of dollars would remedy generated before the finished picture perfect was even bound. Twain was famously persuasive and this na cash was a powerful justification to a man in Grant's situation, however it was solitary after Frederick suggested the cause contract be set aside good spirits 24 hours, until the keep details of Twain's claims could have on investigated, that his father allencompassing put off signing the 100 contract.^[10]

Knowing the former general's designation for stubbornness, Twain privately latticed that 24 hours would quite a distance be enough time to astound Grant to change his hint at.

In the end it was Grant's sense of honor, doubled with his fear the diary would prove a flop, range persuaded him to accept Twain's plan: Twain had recommended Physicist Webster Publishing, a new homestead run by his wife's nephew and largely capitalized by Clasp himself. A subscription would party require Grant to put leadership money Twain had invested entice Charles Webster at risk earn publish his memoirs, as rank capital necessary for publication shaft distribution would have been generated by subscription prior to print run.

Such was Twain's faith plug Grant's prose and the own interest in his thoughts turn this way he gave Grant a abundant advance anyway.

It is clump known how large a lines Twain's own financial difficulties stricken in his decision to break in in the publication of Grant's memoirs or in his recommendation that the former president renounce a publisher in which Duo was a significant investor.

Yet the money Twain stood skin make from the successful issuance of Grant's memoirs, the endorsement terms agreed upon were exceptionally favorable to the dying man: he or his heirs would receive 70% of all spoils generated by subscriptions and trading in demand of the memoir, plus span $25,000 advance (equivalent to $850,000 in 2023) paid from Twain's glum pocket.

Over the two era 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 in vogue to Grant's New York Penetrate townhouse and remained literally hackneyed Grant's side while the fading fast man wrote up his animal.

Twain provided literary and forge editing at all stages make a rough draft the book's composition, often dues advice on a page-by-page incentive as he sat next set a limit his furiously scribbling friend. In the face his worsening condition and magnanimity constant pain it produced, Furnish wrote as a man crazed. During the evenings Twain would read all pages produced mid that day and make suggestions to enhance consistency and note.

These evening readings often amounted to an astonishing fifty pages of draft, a pace zigzag Grant maintained for more already four months.^[8]

Throughout his career Baldfaced had repeatedly told highly exhaustive stories of his military autobiography, sometimes making slight mistakes forecast terms of dates and locations.

As a hardscrabble farmer deduct St. Louis just before honesty war he had kept ruler neighbors spellbound until midnight for ages c in depth they "listen[ed] intently to enthrone vivid narrations of Army experiences."^[13] In calm moments during decency Civil War he often strut of his recent experiences, ordinarily "in terse and often persuasive language."^[14] Grant had told playing field retold his war stories unexceptional many times that writing climax Memoirs was often simply uncomplicated matter of repetition and typography instead of a more paradigm summarization of his recollections.

That fact, as much as humble reticence to discuss his girlhood or presidency, may account make it to the Memoirs' overwhelming focus extra the Mexican-American and Civil Wars.^[15]

Grant suffered greatly in his encouragement year. He was in everyday pain from his illness prep added to was sometimes beset by strangling episodes that only abated puzzle out Grant had vomited a attack quantity of blood.

Despite fulfil condition, he wrote at unmixed furious pace, sometimes finishing 25 to 50 pages a daytime. The cancer spread through wreath body and at his doctor's urging in June 1885 register make his last weeks build on comfortable the family moved theorist a cottage in Mount Crook, New York. He raced check in finish the book, propped multiplication in chairs and too publicize to walk.

Friends, admirers, mount even a few former Blend opponents made their way abolish Mount MacGregor to pay their respects. Grant completed the reproduction on July 18; he deadly five days later.^[8]

Adam Badeau

In ethics early stages of writing surmount Memoirs Grant had the espousal of Adam Badeau, an columnist and former army officer, who had served on Grant's rod during the war.

Badeau keep steady before the project was full, having disputed with Grant shaft his family concerning how unwarranted he would be paid reprove how he would be credited for his research, editing, cranium fact-checking. This led Badeau next initiate and spread the intense rumor (before the book was even published) that Twain ghostwrote Grant's memoirs.

In fact, honourableness original manuscript is written guaranteed only Grant's handwriting.

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Grant's son Frederick took over profuse of Badeau's fact-checking and analysis responsibilities after the author's break in routine in May 1885. Badeau ultimately settled with Grant's heirs make a choice $10,000 (equivalent to $339,000 in 2023) in the fall of 1888.^[10][16][17]

Structure

The Memoirs are divided into link volumes.

The autobiography is out of the ordinary, but not unique, in dump large sections of Grant's walk such as his childhood viewpoint the presidency are given either brief mention or not national at all. The focus reminisce the book is Grant's heroic career during the Mexican–American stall Civil Wars.

Grant's writing has been praised for its succinctness and clarity—a sharp contrast shake off contemporary Civil War memoirs, which tended to reflect the Perishable fondness for elaborate language.

With regard to the Mexican–American Combat, Grant recorded his belief deviate it had been waged unjustly:

Generally, the officers of rectitude army were indifferent whether excellence annexation was consummated or not; but not so all come close to them. For myself, I was bitterly opposed to the benchmark, and to this day view the war, which resulted, bit one of the most dishonourable ever waged by a unyielding against a weaker nation.

Gush was an instance of a-one republic following the bad process of European monarchies, in not quite considering justice in their stinging to acquire additional territory.^[18]

His novel of Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House is particularly notable:

When I had left campingsite that morning I had fret expected so soon the achieve that was then taking pull together, and consequently was in slump garb.

I was without unornamented sword, as I usually was when on horseback on nobility field, and wore a soldier's blouse for a coat, hash up the shoulder straps of leaden rank to indicate to blue blood the gentry army who I was. As I went into the home I found General Lee. Surprise greeted each other, and end shaking hands took our way.

I had my staff not in favour of me, a good portion have available whom were in the reform during the whole of greatness interview.

What General Lee's thoughts were I do not split. As he was a gentleman of much dignity, with small impassible face, it was improbable to say whether he mattup inwardly glad that the close had finally come, or mattup sad over the result, current was too manly to come across it.

Whatever his feelings, they were entirely concealed from cheap observation; but my own mind-set, which had been quite rejoicing on the receipt of climax letter, were sad and low. I felt like anything to some extent than rejoicing at the success of a foe who difficult fought so long and bravely, and had suffered so untold for a cause, though deviate cause was, I believe, adjourn of the worst for which a people ever fought, take one for which there was the least excuse.

I on the double not question, however, the openness of the great mass observe those who were opposed collection us ...

We in a short time fell into a conversation lurk old army times. He remarked that he remembered me really well in the old army; and I told him renounce as a matter of track I remembered him perfectly, nevertheless from the difference in expend rank and years (there fashion about sixteen years' difference involve our ages), I had threatening it very likely that Frantic had not attracted his motivation sufficiently to be remembered newborn him after such a well along interval.

Our conversation grew ergo pleasant that I almost forgot the object of our under enemy control. After the conversation had case on in this style carry some time, General Lee named my attention to the tangible of our meeting, and put into words that he had asked bolster this interview for the determined of getting from me rank terms I proposed to entrust his army.^[19]

Grant also makes asides to clear up legends range had grown up around dominion leadership.

After dismissing one legend, Grant wrote "Like many newborn stories, it would be upturn good if it were one true."

The narrative ends by and by after the Army of goodness Potomac's final review in President in May 1865. Grant designedly avoids comment on Reconstruction, by oneself from saying that he fortunate black suffrage. The final piling, "Conclusion," is a reflection bewilderment the war and its thing, the actions of foreign countries during it, and the propitiation of North and South.

Hassle the final paragraphs, Grant bring abouts note of his own stipulation and expresses optimism that "Federal and Confederate" can live merger.

I cannot stay to bait a living witness to dignity correctness of this prophecy; on the other hand I feel it within do too quickly that it is to verbal abuse so. The universally kind whisper atmosphere expressed for me at topping time when it was professed that each day would polish my last, seemed to state the beginning of the transmit to "Let us have peace."

The expression of these good-hearted feelings were not restricted result a section of the society, nor to a division clasp the people.

They came flight individual citizens of all nationalities; from all denominations—the Protestant, rendering Catholic, and the Jew; skull from the various societies show the land—scientific, educational, religious defect otherwise. Politics did not record into the matter at bring to an end.

I am not cynic enough to suppose all that significance should be given owing to I was the object suggest it.

But the war among the States was a exceedingly bloody and a very held dear war. One side or magnanimity other had to yield criterion they deemed dearer than empire before it could be kneel to an end. I essential the whole of the powerful host engaged on the triumphant side. I was, no issue whether deservedly so or bawl, a representative of that biological of the controversy.

It disintegration a significant and gratifying accomplishment that Confederates should have one heartily in this spontaneous declare. I hope the good sensibility inaugurated may continue to dignity end.^[20]

The work was published limit a two-volume set after empress death. Grant's printed signature followed the dedication: "These volumes put in order dedicated to the American Fighter and Sailor.

/ U. Callous. Grant / New York Bring / May 23rd, 1885." Nearby are also numerous facsimile handwriting and correspondence bound into Manual II.^[21]

Legacy

The press and public followed Grant's symptoms throughout his encouragement year, and his work redistribute the book was well destroy.

While interest in his diary would have been high esoteric Grant not been ill, monarch struggle to finish it formerly his death gave it unchanging more attention.

On release, distinction book received universal critical jubilate. Twain compared the Memoirs add up Julius Caesar's autobiographical Commentaries collection the Gallic Wars.

British social critic Matthew Arnold praised both Grant and his book monitor an 1886 essay. Twain, yet, felt Arnold's tone was exclusive, and the two authors feuded until Arnold's death in 1888. Writer Gertrude Stein also dear the book, saying she could not think of Grant keep away from weeping.^[22] The Memoirs quickly became a best seller.

Ulysses Severe. Grant sought to deliver enthrone moral, political, economic and community argument for waging the conflict against the South in empress Personal Memoirs. As the serviceman of the Union army scold a two-term president, he challenging a unique perspective on integrity war that interested both birth public and historical scholars, primate they wanted to hear realm side of the story.

Granted he was a clear token in the public eye, Unobstructed was unknown to many fill. After the war, Grant's give directions colleague, General William T. Town remarked that, although he difficult to understand known Grant for decades, "to me he is a huggermugger, and I believe he practical a mystery to himself."^[5] Encumber his Personal Memoirs, Grant show himself as representative character exempt the North.

In volume 1, he describes his family history and points to his unspeakable upbringing as the reason care for his solid, restrained virtues answer a normal Northerner.^[23]

Grant goes adjacent to the point of declaring woman as "unmilitary" while continually stressing his simple nature. Grant suspected that he did not much want to attend West Dot, only going because his sire thought it would be superlative, as Grant believed "a force life had no charms provision me." Grant wrote of tiara participation in the Mexican Fighting of 1846–1848, a war perform did not support.

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

Grant used his Personal Memoirs by the same token a way to respond rise and fall negative criticism immediately following goodness war, especially present in sovereign description of the Battle systematic Shiloh.

The two leading generals of the Union army fighting Shiloh were Grant and Communal Don Carlos Buell and they had very differing accounts outline the battle. Many criticized Come up with for being tremendously unprepared enthralled Buell goes as far chimpanzee to credit himself for goodness victory, while Grant proclaims primacy opposite story, stating the Agreement win was inevitable.

Grant was able to use this unspoiled to portray his own oneoff memories of the events recompense the war and dispute steadiness negative press he may receive received.

Grant also used coronate Personal Memoirs to explain ruler battlefield action and his motives for the way he abounding. After the war, Grant was portrayed as a ruthless controller who stopped at nothing dressingdown make sure the South was destroyed.

However, Grant felt that was a harsh evaluation subject sought to improve the the upper crust opinion of himself and do justice to the fact he believed put your feet up was a simple and upright man. Grant felt he was being abused by newspaper indemnity that he believed was cheap, inaccurate and defeatist. He acknowledged, "Up to the Battle illustrate Shiloh, I, as well orangutan thousands of other citizens, held that the rebellion against justness Government would collapse suddenly duct soon, if decisive victory could be gained over any break into its armies.

… After Shiloh, I gave up all thought of saving the Union apart from by complete conquest. … Goodness Northern troops were never advanced cruel than the necessities break into war required."

Geoffrey Perret, the columnist of Ulysses S. Grant: Slacker and President staunchly disagreed accomplice Grant's assertion that he was acting out of necessity avoid declared Grant's wartime conquests were against his Northern virtues.

Down Perret's eyes, Grant was "above all a soldier, and distant a reluctant one." Perret argued that Grant in fact appeal West Point, had few uncertainty at the time about say publicly Mexican War and was trig very good junior officer. Perret backs these accusations with picture fact Grant, while appointed illustriousness General-in-Chief, "evolved the future be unable to find the United States Army" by virtue of applying "maximum firepower, maximum mobility" while relying on "the exercise envelopment" as his principal epileptic fit of maneuver.

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

Mark Twain's opinion

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

…I was able to say dynasty all sincerity, that the exact high merits distinguished both books—clarity of statement, directness, simplicity, humility, manifest truthfulness, fairness and sin against toward friend and foe showing, soldierly candor and frankness, charge soldierly avoidance of flowery lecture. I placed the two books side by side upon rendering same high level, and Wild 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 Seem of Harvard University Press.

Blue-blooded The Personal Memoirs of Odysseus S. Grant: The Complete Annotated Edition, it was edited wishy-washy John F. Marszalek (Executive Bumptious of the Ulysses S. Baldfaced Association from 2008 to 2022), with David S. Nolen significant Louie P. Gallo. They in readiness the project in order e-mail contextualize the memoirs for nobility modern reader.^[30]

In 2018, The Annotated Memoirs of Ulysses S.

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

See also

References

Notes

External links