the winters of 1836-37 and 1838-39, which were spent
at schools in Maysville, Ky., and Ripley, Ohio.
In the spring of 1839, at the age of 17, was appointed
to a cadetship in the Military Academy at West Point
by Thomas L. Hamer, a Member of Congress, and entered
the Academy July 1, 1839. The name given him
at birth was Hiram Ulysses, but he was always called
by his middle name. Mr. Hamer, thinking Ulysses
his first name, and that his middle name was probably
that of his mother’s family, inserted in the
official appointment the name of Ulysses S. Grant.
The officials of the Academy were notified by Cadet
Grant of the error, but they did not feel authorized
to correct it, and it was acquiesced in and became
the name by which he was always known. Graduated
from the Academy in 1843, twenty-first in a class
of thirty-nine members. Was attached to the Fourth
United States Infantry as brevet second lieutenant
July 1, 1843; was appointed second lieutenant, Seventh
Infantry, September 30, 1845, and transferred to the
Fourth Infantry November 15, 1845. During the
Mexican War (1846-1848) took part with his regiment
in active service, and was in all the battles fought
by Generals Scott and Taylor except that of Buena
Vista. Was brevetted for gallant conduct at the
battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, but declined
the honor. At the battle of Monterey distinguished
himself by volunteering to run the gantlet and bring
ammunition for the troops into the city. September
8, 1847, was appointed brevet first lieutenant for
gallant conduct at Molino del Rey. Acted as regimental
quartermaster April 1, 1847, to July 23, 1848, and
from November 17, 1848, to August 5, 1853. September
13, 1847, was brevetted captain for gallant conduct
at the battle of Chapultepec, and on September 16
was appointed first lieutenant. At San Cosme
was mentioned in special orders by his commanders—regimental,
brigade, and division. After the Mexican War his
regiment was sent to Pascagoula, Miss., and afterwards
to Sacketts Harbor, N.Y., and Detroit, Mich.
August 22, 1848, married Miss Julia Dent, of St. Louis,
Mo. In 1852 his regiment was sent to the Pacific
Coast. August 5, 1853, was appointed captain.
Resigned July 31, 1854, and went to live on a farm
near St. Louis, but in 1858 gave up farming on account
of his health, and entered into the real-estate business
in St. Louis. In May, 1860, removed to Galena,
Ill., and became a clerk in his father’s store.
In April, 1861, after President Lincoln’s call
for troops, presided at a public meeting in Galena,
which resulted in the organization of a company of
volunteers, which he drilled and accompanied to Springfield,
Ill. Was employed by Governor Yates in the adjutant-general’s
office, and appointed mustering officer. Offered
his services to the National Government in a letter
written May 24, 1861, but no answer was ever made
to it. June 17, 1861, was appointed colonel of
the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers, and served until