Ulysses S. Grant was regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in United States history, and as the 18th President, he united a country that was divided during the Civil War. #GRANT premieres Monday May 25 on @HISTORY as part of a three-night event. pic.twitter.com/fgAcxo2sMG
I read Grant’s memoirs a few years ago. He never gave “the so-called Confederacy”, as he always phrased it, any legitimacy. I wish his Presidential Library was here.
Must watch and must record TV for me too. Been waiting on this for a while now. The Washington documentary that showed several months ago was good, I thought. I think i expect more from this one, although they haven’t really done much advertising lately.
Speaking of advertising, did anyone watch Snowpiercer? I missed the premiere and just wondering if it lived up to the huge amount of money they must have spent running ads.
Grant was a great man. His only regret was Cold Harbor. Logan has been mostly lost in the sands of time, yet is one of only three people to appear in the state song.
Before I went in for my job interview with Rod Blagojevich, I brushed up on the lyrics of the state song. I thought he might ask to make sure I was up on all my Illinois trivia/facts. #LittleDidIKnow
- ItsMillerTime - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:54 am:
@DownstateR
Your comment made me curious about where his library was. I was surprised to see it was in Mississippi. I mean good on them about having it I’m just surprised Illinois, Ohio, or New York didn’t have it considering his tied to those states. Did Illinois ever consider building a presidential library/museum for Grant?
There’s a charming civil was museum in Paducah — the kind of museum with a big ol’ portrait of Nathan Forrest on the wall for some reason that tries to rehab the fools that thought it was a good idea to assault Paducah when it was reinforced by a Union garrison which resulted in a lot of futile deaths and a significant portion of the town being destroyed that doesn’t mention slavery at all, and only refers to Grant in reference to when he carried out a general order to expel Jewish people from Paducah.
After spending some time there I started to wonder if Grant gets downplayed these days as part of the fictional narrative put together by racists, segregationists, the Klan, and other Southern apologists.
Something that is telling of the intent of these communities is what happened in Paducah — where the high school was once exclusively named for the widow of a confederate general that donated the funds to start the school who had her first name dropped from the school in order to increase it’s association with her dead idiot husband who died because he thought he should be able to own other people.
Being a Northerner my visit there was my first real exposure to the fictionalized history of the American Civil War.
I think a lot of the effort to downplay or insult Grant is a direct result of trying to elevate the “Southern Cause” and ignore the glaring faults and incompetence displayed by many of their leaders.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:01 am:
Grant and GOAT had that steely determination, apparently, to stop at nothing before victory.
Love Galena and took a jaunt there last year. Didn’t go to Grant’s home but was there before. Went to a gas station in a nearby town and saw Confederate flag stickers for sale. Something is really wrong with people who would sell and buy those near the Union general and president’s home.
===Did Illinois ever consider building a presidential library/museum for Grant? ===
If I had to guess, I would think there probably wasn’t enough buzz around fake personal objects for a group of people to turn a presidential museum/library into a fraudulent money making scheme.
No one’s going to pay seven figures for Grant’s hat.
Just like no one paid seven figures for one of Lincoln’s.
Logan’s Memorial Day Order. After the marching band arrived, the order was solemnly read each “Decoration Day” in my small town cemetery, followed by a roll call of the names of all soldier/sailors/airmen from the town who had been lost to war over the years. This was customary back in the day. Perhaps it still is?
As a general rule, there are no presidential libraries or memorial archives prior to Herbert C. Hoover and his successors. Government funding came after Hoover, but all of the libraries also have solicited donations too.
The Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield is something of an exception.
A few presidents have individual memorials. The Coolidge homestead in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, is quite good and privately funded.
As for Illinois, I was somewhat shocked that the Executive Mansion in Springfield appeared not to have any artwork commemorating Ronald W. Reagan, the only Illinois native to serve as president.
Lincoln, Grant and Obama were recognized in the building.
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:14 am:
MillerTime and DownstateR: The US Grant Papers project was housed at SIUC for decades, then moved to Mississippi, where it became a more official Grant Presidential Library. So, a precursor of the Grant Library was in Illinois for a long time.
- ItsMillerTime - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:14 am:
@DownstateR
I’m happy that a southern state is willing to spend money and host a museum dedicated to Grant, shows that we are not as divided as we think we are. What annoys me is Illinois dropping the ball on such a good opportunity. I hear so many good things about Galena and having a library to Grant there would probably be a good boost to the town. Unless it was out of their hands, I don’t know how it is decided where theses museums are built.
- Senator Blutarsky - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:21 am:
Finally got around to reading Bailey’s amended complaint. A first year law student could have done a better job interpreting the statute. The complaint doesn’t even make a plausible case that the governor has acted outside of his authority. It cherry picks a specific phrase from one member of an illustrative list of situations in which the governor could act and then attempts to apply it to every member of the list when it obviously only applies to hazardous spills and water contamination. Astoundingly bad lawyering.
Is anyone here old enough to remember the gag quiz show question: “Who’s buried in Grant’s tomb?”
It’s in NY city, BTW.
- former southerner - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:27 am:
Mississippi State University has actually done a very nice job with the US Grant collection. The force and motives putting it there are well placed and run contrary to the divisiveness being championed by many current lowlife pseudo leaders. As my old home state continues a slow move forward, far too many rural types in other states are seemingly charmed with becoming what Mississippi was in its ugly past. https://apnews.com/1c79b8f4c8974576a3f072b5f204532a/New-Ulysses-Grant-presidential-library-at-home-in-the-South
- Back to the Future - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:34 am:
A friend recommended the Ron Chernow book on Grant. It is a long read, but it keeps your attention and is a great book.
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:35 am:
Practical Politics. Yes, there are presidential libraries prior to Hoover. The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum would disagree with you. But those presidential libraries of those who preceded Hoover ey are not affiliated with the National Archives. Believe or not, even Jefferson Davis has a presidential library.
From then article above, it looks like it was moved there because the new Association Executive Director was an emeritus at Miss State and wanted the papers there. Not a good reason at all.
You expressed my point more clearly and precisely. That is what I meant to say. There are other presidential sites for some, but not all former US presidents, but not all are supported by the National Archives.
One of the best moments in Illinois history is when Leo belts out “I’m the king of the world” on the bow of the Titanic; an iconic moment for Illinois’ proudest native son.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:55 am:
** Is anyone here old enough to remember the gag quiz show question: “Who’s buried in Grant’s tomb?” **
I remember the reruns of “You Bet Your Life,” hosted by the great Groucho Marx.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:55 am:
Grant’s autobiography is on my list of must reads. Grant finished the book while dying of stomach cancer so his wife would have enough money. Impressive.
Am bracing for a Memorial Day where many people are lumped in with those who died in combat. I don’t like to see the meaning diluted.
Last Bull Moose — Mark Twain was a close friend and admirer of Grant’s, and published Grant’s memoirs. In fact, many believe that Twain did a lot of the writing for Grant’s autobiography.
True story: Leo DiCaprio has been trying to decide for awhile, whether to play TR or Grant as another Big Historical Movie for him. I hope he sees sense and chooses Grant (this could be another Spielberg, Lincoln-style project). DiCaprio and Grant even look somewhat alike.
Several people have mentioned Grant’s memoirs — truly a must read, perhaps the best written presidential memoirs yet. Very like the man: understated, unflinching, well crafted. When Lee’s staff heard of Grant’s appointment, many disparaged him. But Longstreet warned Lee: That man will fight us day and night. Longstreet was right. Grant was a fighter all his life.
- Old Shepherd - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:28 am:
These celebrity-hosted “documentaries” are hard to watch.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:29 am:
With a very talented Jason Bateman starring as Grant. I really enjoy his role in Ozark on Netflix.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:30 am:
If I can’t get to Galena, truly one of my favorite places in this country, I’m all over this documentary.
This will be must watch for me.
- Responsa - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:39 am:
Repeat from a past thread:
“Not without thy wondrous story, Illinois Illinois
Can be writ the nation’s glory, Illinois Illinois
On the record of thy years, Abraham Lincoln’s name appears
Grant and Logan and our tears, Illinois Illinois
Grant and Logan and our tears, Illinois”
- DownstateR - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:40 am:
I read Grant’s memoirs a few years ago. He never gave “the so-called Confederacy”, as he always phrased it, any legitimacy. I wish his Presidential Library was here.
Looks like a good show.
- L.A. - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:41 am:
Must watch and must record TV for me too. Been waiting on this for a while now. The Washington documentary that showed several months ago was good, I thought. I think i expect more from this one, although they haven’t really done much advertising lately.
Speaking of advertising, did anyone watch Snowpiercer? I missed the premiere and just wondering if it lived up to the huge amount of money they must have spent running ads.
- Ray Gun - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:41 am:
Grant was a great man. His only regret was Cold Harbor. Logan has been mostly lost in the sands of time, yet is one of only three people to appear in the state song.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:48 am:
Haha Responsa —
Before I went in for my job interview with Rod Blagojevich, I brushed up on the lyrics of the state song. I thought he might ask to make sure I was up on all my Illinois trivia/facts. #LittleDidIKnow
- ItsMillerTime - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:54 am:
@DownstateR
Your comment made me curious about where his library was. I was surprised to see it was in Mississippi. I mean good on them about having it I’m just surprised Illinois, Ohio, or New York didn’t have it considering his tied to those states. Did Illinois ever consider building a presidential library/museum for Grant?
- ChicagoVinny - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:54 am:
I believe this documentary is based on Chernow’s ‘Grant’, which I enjoyed.
- DownstateR - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:58 am:
ItsMillerTime
I’ll admit–I deliberately avoided mentioning is was in MS. I can imagine people’s reactions; I remember mine.
As far as I know, Illinois was never considered. Pity.
- essentially working - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:59 am:
Thanks for posting, I forgot about this. ChicagoVinny, everything Chernow writes is great. Didn’t know he had a book about Grant. Thanks for that too.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 9:59 am:
There’s a charming civil was museum in Paducah — the kind of museum with a big ol’ portrait of Nathan Forrest on the wall for some reason that tries to rehab the fools that thought it was a good idea to assault Paducah when it was reinforced by a Union garrison which resulted in a lot of futile deaths and a significant portion of the town being destroyed that doesn’t mention slavery at all, and only refers to Grant in reference to when he carried out a general order to expel Jewish people from Paducah.
After spending some time there I started to wonder if Grant gets downplayed these days as part of the fictional narrative put together by racists, segregationists, the Klan, and other Southern apologists.
Something that is telling of the intent of these communities is what happened in Paducah — where the high school was once exclusively named for the widow of a confederate general that donated the funds to start the school who had her first name dropped from the school in order to increase it’s association with her dead idiot husband who died because he thought he should be able to own other people.
Being a Northerner my visit there was my first real exposure to the fictionalized history of the American Civil War.
I think a lot of the effort to downplay or insult Grant is a direct result of trying to elevate the “Southern Cause” and ignore the glaring faults and incompetence displayed by many of their leaders.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:01 am:
Grant and GOAT had that steely determination, apparently, to stop at nothing before victory.
Love Galena and took a jaunt there last year. Didn’t go to Grant’s home but was there before. Went to a gas station in a nearby town and saw Confederate flag stickers for sale. Something is really wrong with people who would sell and buy those near the Union general and president’s home.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:02 am:
===Did Illinois ever consider building a presidential library/museum for Grant? ===
If I had to guess, I would think there probably wasn’t enough buzz around fake personal objects for a group of people to turn a presidential museum/library into a fraudulent money making scheme.
No one’s going to pay seven figures for Grant’s hat.
Just like no one paid seven figures for one of Lincoln’s.
- Ray Gun - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:08 am:
We did have the papers. Then some ridiculous thing happened.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2009-01-18-0901170223-story.html
- Responsa - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:10 am:
Logan’s Memorial Day Order. After the marching band arrived, the order was solemnly read each “Decoration Day” in my small town cemetery, followed by a roll call of the names of all soldier/sailors/airmen from the town who had been lost to war over the years. This was customary back in the day. Perhaps it still is?
https://www.cem.va.gov/history/memdayorder.asp
- Practical Politics - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:13 am:
@Downstate R:
There is no Grant Presidential Library per se.
As a general rule, there are no presidential libraries or memorial archives prior to Herbert C. Hoover and his successors. Government funding came after Hoover, but all of the libraries also have solicited donations too.
The Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield is something of an exception.
A few presidents have individual memorials. The Coolidge homestead in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, is quite good and privately funded.
As for Illinois, I was somewhat shocked that the Executive Mansion in Springfield appeared not to have any artwork commemorating Ronald W. Reagan, the only Illinois native to serve as president.
Lincoln, Grant and Obama were recognized in the building.
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:14 am:
MillerTime and DownstateR: The US Grant Papers project was housed at SIUC for decades, then moved to Mississippi, where it became a more official Grant Presidential Library. So, a precursor of the Grant Library was in Illinois for a long time.
- ItsMillerTime - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:14 am:
@DownstateR
I’m happy that a southern state is willing to spend money and host a museum dedicated to Grant, shows that we are not as divided as we think we are. What annoys me is Illinois dropping the ball on such a good opportunity. I hear so many good things about Galena and having a library to Grant there would probably be a good boost to the town. Unless it was out of their hands, I don’t know how it is decided where theses museums are built.
- Senator Blutarsky - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:21 am:
Finally got around to reading Bailey’s amended complaint. A first year law student could have done a better job interpreting the statute. The complaint doesn’t even make a plausible case that the governor has acted outside of his authority. It cherry picks a specific phrase from one member of an illustrative list of situations in which the governor could act and then attempts to apply it to every member of the list when it obviously only applies to hazardous spills and water contamination. Astoundingly bad lawyering.
- Responsa - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:22 am:
Is anyone here old enough to remember the gag quiz show question: “Who’s buried in Grant’s tomb?”
It’s in NY city, BTW.
- former southerner - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:27 am:
Mississippi State University has actually done a very nice job with the US Grant collection. The force and motives putting it there are well placed and run contrary to the divisiveness being championed by many current lowlife pseudo leaders. As my old home state continues a slow move forward, far too many rural types in other states are seemingly charmed with becoming what Mississippi was in its ugly past. https://apnews.com/1c79b8f4c8974576a3f072b5f204532a/New-Ulysses-Grant-presidential-library-at-home-in-the-South
- Back to the Future - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:34 am:
A friend recommended the Ron Chernow book on Grant. It is a long read, but it keeps your attention and is a great book.
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:35 am:
Practical Politics. Yes, there are presidential libraries prior to Hoover. The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum would disagree with you. But those presidential libraries of those who preceded Hoover ey are not affiliated with the National Archives. Believe or not, even Jefferson Davis has a presidential library.
- JIbba - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:35 am:
From then article above, it looks like it was moved there because the new Association Executive Director was an emeritus at Miss State and wanted the papers there. Not a good reason at all.
- Practical Politics - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:36 am:
Oops! The Groucho Marx questions were my posting. Sorry about missing the nickname.
- Practical Politics - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:38 am:
@ Steve Rogers:
You expressed my point more clearly and precisely. That is what I meant to say. There are other presidential sites for some, but not all former US presidents, but not all are supported by the National Archives.
- Leo Fan - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:48 am:
One of the best moments in Illinois history is when Leo belts out “I’m the king of the world” on the bow of the Titanic; an iconic moment for Illinois’ proudest native son.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:55 am:
** Is anyone here old enough to remember the gag quiz show question: “Who’s buried in Grant’s tomb?” **
I remember the reruns of “You Bet Your Life,” hosted by the great Groucho Marx.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 10:55 am:
Grant’s autobiography is on my list of must reads. Grant finished the book while dying of stomach cancer so his wife would have enough money. Impressive.
Am bracing for a Memorial Day where many people are lumped in with those who died in combat. I don’t like to see the meaning diluted.
- DownstateR - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 11:09 am:
Thanks for the information, everyone. That is such a tragedy for SIU.
- Obamas Puppy - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 11:41 am:
Cant wait!!! this is The Last Dance for Civil War buffs.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 11:48 am:
Last Bull Moose — Mark Twain was a close friend and admirer of Grant’s, and published Grant’s memoirs. In fact, many believe that Twain did a lot of the writing for Grant’s autobiography.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 11:50 am:
This article is worth reading
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/war-and-peace-of-mind-for-ulysses-s-grant-1882227/
- Bigtwich - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 12:17 pm:
== many believe that Twain did a lot of the writing for Grant’s autobiography.==
And many more don’t.
- train111 - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 1:08 pm:
I’ve been to Grant’s tomb.
In a nice park on the west side of Manhattan.
- ZC - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 1:33 pm:
True story: Leo DiCaprio has been trying to decide for awhile, whether to play TR or Grant as another Big Historical Movie for him. I hope he sees sense and chooses Grant (this could be another Spielberg, Lincoln-style project). DiCaprio and Grant even look somewhat alike.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 2:37 pm:
I love Galena.
Everything about it.
Stayed at Eagle Ridge, “in town”, at a condo…
Love the history, architecture, shops… go in a Saturday in the fall… the bars and college football, best I’ve been around… can’t get enough of Galena.
One of my favorite places in America, let alone Illinois.
But what brings me back… every single time… Grant.
Grant’s Home
The leather shop, Washburne House, Dowling House, The DeSoto House Hotel … Grant.
I can golf, eat, drink, shop… but it always for me comes back to Grant.
Looking forward to this documentary.
- Jibba - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 3:56 pm:
Good to see Rep Bailey get turfed, but his smirk said he’d be on Fox tonight or in a presidential tweet.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 5:22 pm:
Thanks Soccermom
- Flapdoodle - Wednesday, May 20, 20 @ 7:40 pm:
Several people have mentioned Grant’s memoirs — truly a must read, perhaps the best written presidential memoirs yet. Very like the man: understated, unflinching, well crafted. When Lee’s staff heard of Grant’s appointment, many disparaged him. But Longstreet warned Lee: That man will fight us day and night. Longstreet was right. Grant was a fighter all his life.