Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant was born on April 27, 1822.

The Grant family relocates to Georgetown, Ohio.

Ulysses S. Grant was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point on March 3, 1839. This event marked the beginning of his military career and laid the foundation for his future role as a prominent military leader.

On May 29, 1839, Ulysses S. Grant arrived at West Point and discovered a controversy regarding his name. The Congressman who appointed him had used his middle name first and his mother’s maiden name (Simpson) for a middle name. This led to the acceptance of 'U.S. Grant' as his true name, although he later insisted that his middle initial stood for nothing. The cadets nicknamed him 'Uncle Sam' due to his initials, which was later shortened to 'Sam.'

In 1843, Ulysses S. Grant graduates from the U.S. Military Academy, ranking 21st of 39 cadets. This marked a significant achievement for Grant, as nearly half of the class that started in 1839 dropped out before graduation.

Ulysses S. Grant graduates from West Point in June, ranking 21 in a class of 39. He is assigned to duty with the Fourth U. S. Infantry at Jefferson Barracks, beginning September 30, and receives the rank of brevet second lieutenant.

In February 1844, Ulysses S. Grant met Julia Dent, who was the sister of his West Point roommate, at her family’s farm, White Haven, near St. Louis.

While on a visit to his parents in Ohio in May 1844, Grant learns that his regiment has been ordered to Louisiana. When he returns to White Haven, Julia Dent agrees to marry him.

In April 1845, Grant arrives at the camp of the Fourth Infantry near Natchitoches, Louisiana. There was speculation about the reason for the regiment's relocation to the western border of Louisiana, with a possible connection to the annexation of Texas.

In July 1845, Grant obtains leave and travels to St. Louis to see Julia, seeking her parents' consent for engagement. Despite doubts about his ability to support a family on a lieutenant's pay, Grant's determination is evident.

In September 1845, the Fourth Infantry is sent to New Orleans to await orders, marking a significant movement of troops during that time.

On March 11, 1846, Grant sails from New Orleans to Corpus Christi on the Nueces River in Texas, and is soon promoted to full second lieutenant. This journey takes place amid the territorial dispute between the United States and Mexico.

On March 28, 1846, General Zachary Taylor's force reaches the Rio Grande, leading to small clashes between U.S. and Mexican units. This eventually results in a Mexican declaration of war on April 23, with Grant expressing his views on the war's justification.

On May 8, 1846, Ulysses S. Grant experienced his first time under fire at the Battle of Palo Alto during the Mexican War.

General Taylor begins to move toward Monterey, and Grant is detailed as regimental quartermaster.

During the battle of Monterey, Grant, despite being expected to remain behind the lines, rides to the front and charges with his regiment, replacing the regimental adjutant. He also volunteers to carry a message to General Twiggs through streets occupied by Mexican forces.

Grant's Fourth Infantry is ordered to leave General Taylor's force and join that of General Winfield Scott, retracing their route across Mexico to Camp Page on the Gulf.

During the assault on San Cosme Garita, outside Mexico City, Grant orders a howitzer placed in a church belfry where it can be fired effectively, gaining the favorable attention of General Worth.

The occupation of Mexico ends for Grant as Worth's division marches out of Mexico City, and Grant's transport is scheduled to sail from Vera Cruz on July 16.

Ulysses S. Grant married Julia Boggs Dent in St. Louis, Missouri on August 22, 1848.

Grant reports at Detroit, Michigan, and learns that he has been assigned to duty at the dreary outpost of Madison Barracks at Sackett's Harbor, New York, on Lake Ontario.

Ulysses S. Grant's son, Frederick Dent Grant, was born on May 30, 1850. He later passed away on April 12, 1912.

By spring of the following year, Grant has obtained a transfer to Detroit.

Grant reports at Governor's Island, New York, for embarkation on the steamer Ohio, as the Fourth Infantry is ordered to the Pacific Coast.

While Ulysses is still in transit, his and Julia's second child, Ulysses S. Grant Jr., whom they call Buck, is born.

Grant arrives at Fort Vancouver, Oregon Territory, and becomes discouraged and unhappy about the long separation from his family, leading to consolation in drink and consideration of resigning.

Grant receives notice that he has been promoted to captain and ordered to report at Fort Humboldt, California.

On June 2, 1854, Grant’s resignation from the army was accepted by Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis.

On June 2, 1855, Grant receives his official commission as captain and writes his resignation from the army the same day. The resignation is later accepted by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis.

On July 4, 1855, the Grant family moves to Wish-ton-wish, where their third child, Ellen Grant, whom they call Nellie, is born.

In September 1856, the Grants move into the home Ulysses built, which they humorously name 'Hardscrabble'.

On December 23, 1857, Ulysses S. Grant pawns his watch, presumably to buy Christmas gifts for his family, during a time when the Panic of 1857 had withered crop prices.

Ulysses S. Grant's son, Jesse Root Grant, Jr., was born on February 6th. He lived until June 8, 1934.

In March 1859, despite the financial troubles of the Grant family, Ulysses S. Grant sets free his slave, William Jones, who had come to him through his wife's family.

On August 15, 1859, Ulysses S. Grant submits his application for the position of County Engineer of St. Louis, but is passed over by politicians who prefer a Republican, despite being qualified.

On November 8, 1860, Ulysses S. Grant helps his Republican brother Orvil serve oysters and liquor during a victory celebration held by the Republicans of Galena, supporters of Abraham Lincoln. Grant, apparently undecided about the merits of Lincoln and his opponent, Stephen Douglas, has not lived in Illinois long enough to be eligible to vote.

Elihu B. Washburne arranges for Ulysses S. Grant to preside over a public meeting in Galena to respond to Lincoln's call for troops after the outbreak of the Civil War. Grant drills the company of Jo Daviess Guards raised at the meeting, but declines the captaincy.

Ulysses S. Grant left Galena with the Jo Daviess Guard to offer his services to Governor Yates in Springfield, marking the beginning of his significant role in the Civil War.

Ulysses S. Grant is appointed as a mustering officer, a temporary job which ends within two weeks. During this time, he witnesses the disorder following the capture of Camp Jackson by Unionists under Nathaniel Lyon and Frank Blair while in St. Louis seeking a commission.

Two days after returning to Galena, Ulysses S. Grant writes to Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas expressing his competence to command a Regiment if the President sees fit to entrust one to him. However, the letter is never answered.

Ulysses S. Grant returns to Springfield and accepts Governor Yates' offer of the colonelcy of the Seventh District Regiment, an unruly group which has driven its first colonel into retirement.

Ulysses S. Grant boards a streetcar in Springfield to ride out to his regiment at Camp Yates.

Colonel Grant and the Seventh District Regiment officially entered U.S. service as the Twenty-first Illinois, marking a pivotal moment in Grant's military career during the Civil War.

The Twenty-First Illinois begins its first march from Springfield to Quincy, Illinois, on the Mississippi River.

President Lincoln appoints Grant as a brigadier general of volunteers based on the recommendations of Illinois congressmen. This marks the beginning of Grant's military leadership during the Civil War.

Grant assumes command at Ironton, Missouri, further solidifying his role as a military leader during the Civil War.

General Benjamin M. Prentiss arrives and wrongfully asserts that he outranks Grant, leading to Grant departing for St. Louis.

Grant is given command of all troops in southeast Missouri with headquarters temporarily at Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Grant occupies Paducah, preventing the Confederates from consolidating their defense line in Kentucky.

Grant leads his troops to Belmont, Missouri, in a diversionary movement to prevent Confederate reinforcement of General Sterling Price. The Union troops initially overrun a Confederate camp but are later forced to scramble for their transports.

Grant asks Major General Halleck for permission to start a campaign on the Tennessee River, and on February 1, he receives it. This marks a significant strategic decision in the Civil War.

Grant's forces start advancing from Cairo, indicating the beginning of the campaign on the Tennessee River.

Naval forces under Flag-Officer Andrew H. Foote capture Fort Henry in Tennessee, a significant victory in the Civil War. Grant's forces are on their way in the combined operation.

Grant makes a reconnaissance to within one mile of Fort Donelson, demonstrating his determination to keep the campaign moving forward.

General John A. McClernand leads a premature assault on the Donelson lines, followed by an unsuccessful assault by the gunboats of Foote's flotilla. The Confederates also make a temporary assault to break out of the siege, but are forced back to their lines.

The Confederates make an assault to break out of the siege at Fort Donelson, which initially has temporary success but they are eventually forced back to their lines.

Grant accepts the surrender of Confederate troops under General Simon Bolivar Buckner at Fort Donelson, TN, earning the nickname 'Unconditional Surrender' Grant.

President Lincoln signs the papers for Ulysses S. Grant's promotion to major general of volunteers.

General Halleck orders Ulysses S. Grant to turn his forces over to General C. F. Smith due to telegraph failures, believing that Grant is failing to obey orders to report to his superior.

Ulysses S. Grant is restored to command after being ordered to turn his forces over to General C. F. Smith.

Ulysses S. Grant resumes his Tennessee River campaign, massing his troops at Pittsburg Landing for a thrust against the vital rail center at Corinth, Mississippi.

The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, takes place.

Aided by reinforcements, General Grant drives the Confederates from the field after a costly victory for the North. The battle is known for its severe fighting and high casualties, leading to angry public reactions in the North.

General Halleck takes personal command of the army, and Grant serves unhappily as second in command. Disgusted by Halleck's unwillingness to engage the enemy, Grant considers resigning but is persuaded to remain by General William T. Sherman.

Grant leaves Halleck at Corinth to establish separate headquarters as district commander at Memphis.

Grant is ordered to Corinth to take command of the army, arriving on July 15, after General Halleck is ordered to Washington to serve as general-in-chief.

Confederate General Braxton Bragg orders General Sterling Price to prevent Grant from sending reinforcements to General Don Carlos Buell. Grant sends troops under William S. Rosecrans and E. O. C. Ord to drive Price from Iuka, Mississippi, before he can be reinforced by General Earl Van Dorn or go east to join Bragg. Rosecrans encounters the enemy, and although the battle is inconclusive, the Confederates retreat.

While Grant is at Jackson, Tennessee, Van Dorn attacks Rosecrans at Corinth. Grant sends reinforcements as soon as he learns of the attack, but Rosecrans repels the assault before they arrive, and Van Dorn withdraws with his army largely intact.

Union forces occupy Holly Springs in northern Mississippi, where Grant establishes a supply base for the advancing army.

General Orders No. 11, issued on December 17, expelled 'Jews, as a class' from the Department of the Tennessee. However, these orders were revoked in January 1863.

After the capture of Holly Springs and destruction of supplies by Van Dorn, Grant returns to Holly Springs and decides to relocate his headquarters to Memphis, giving up his overland drive on Vicksburg.

General Sherman, unaware of the destruction at Holly Springs, moves down the Mississippi, picks up reinforcements at Helena, Arkansas, and makes an unsuccessful assault on Vicksburg along Chickasaw Bayou.

President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free, goes into effect.

General John A. McClernand arrives at the mouth of the Yazoo River and takes over command of the forces near Vicksburg from Sherman, despite Grant's concerns about McClernand's fitness to command.

Grant visits McClernand and his command at Napoleon, where he becomes aware of the army and navy's distrust of McClernand's fitness to command, leading Grant to take personal control of the Vicksburg expedition.

Grant takes personal command of the Vicksburg expedition at Young's Point on the Mississippi, north of Vicksburg, over McClernand's protests, due to the distrust of McClernand's leadership by the army and navy.

Grant's attempt to bypass Vicksburg by building a canal to divert the Mississippi River away from the city is abandoned on March 27.

On April 16, 1863, Acting Rear Admiral Porter successfully ran his fleet south past the Vicksburg batteries, followed by six supply transports on April 22. Troops also marched overland west of the river to below Vicksburg.

After a naval bombardment of Grand Gulf, Grant decides against an attempt to land his men there. Instead, McClernand's command is landed some miles below at Bruinsburg on April 30, 1863. This strategic move provided a degree of relief to Grant and gave the Union forces a foothold in Mississippi.

Grant's victory at the battle of Port Gibson on May 1, 1863, gave the Union forces a firm footing in Mississippi and compelled the abandonment of the fortifications at Grand Gulf. This significant victory marked a turning point in the Vicksburg campaign.

Grant begins moving inland, brings up more troops, and prepares to attack Pemberton's army in the Vicksburg area on May 12, 1863. This marked a crucial phase in the Vicksburg campaign and demonstrated Grant's strategic military leadership.

After some fighting, Union forces successfully capture Jackson, Mississippi, marking a significant advancement in the Civil War.

Grant's forces win the battle of Champion's Hill, a crucial victory as they turn back towards Vicksburg.

Grant completes the encirclement of Vicksburg, a strategic move in the Civil War.

Grant relieves McClernand of command due to improperly issuing a congratulatory order to his troops without obtaining headquarters approval.

The Confederate army under J. E. Johnston crosses the Big Black River, possibly preparing an attack to save the Vicksburg garrison. However, Vicksburg falls before the attack comes.

Pemberton sends a message to Grant requesting terms of surrender. Grant answers that his only terms are unconditional surrender.

Vicksburg surrenders and the garrison marches out and stacks arms. Grant immediately provides food for the starving soldiers and civilians. The loss of Vicksburg marks a turning point in the war.

While in New Orleans to confer with General Nathaniel Banks, Grant sustains painful injuries when his horse falls.

Grant meets with Secretary of War Stanton in Indianapolis.

Grant arrives in Chattanooga to take command and relieve troops cut off from supplies and reinforcements.

Union forces assault the main Confederate position on Missionary Ridge, driving the Confederates from their entrenched positions.

On March 1, Lincoln submits Grant's nomination for the restoration of the rank of lieutenant general, which is confirmed the following day. This marks a significant step in Grant's military career.

On March 3, Grant is ordered to Washington to receive his commission as a lieutenant general, indicating the official recognition of his new rank and responsibilities.

On March 8, 1864, Lincoln and Grant meet for the first time, signifying the beginning of their important collaboration during the Civil War.

President Lincoln grants Grant the commission as Lieutenant General of all Union armies, acknowledging his skill, courage, and perseverance.

On March 12, 1864, General Grant is assigned to command all armies of the United States and decides to make his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac. He then makes a quick trip to Nashville to confer with Sherman, who is given Grant's former command on March 18. By March 23, Grant is back in Washington.

On April 27, 1864, General Grant gives orders for the movement of the Army of the Potomac, and on May 4, the army crosses the Rapidan River in Virginia.

Winfield Scott Hancock's corps captures a bridge over the North Anna River during the Civil War. Grant chooses not to bring on a general engagement due to the effective placement of Lee's force on the south bank of the river.

Union assaults are made upon a strong Confederate position at Cold Harbor, resulting in severe losses for the North. The assaults do not improve the Union position and are regretted by Grant.

Grant's army crosses the James River on pontoon bridges, heading towards Petersburg during the Civil War. The inability to break the Confederate line in frontal attack leads to a siege at Petersburg.

Union forces make the first assault on Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War, leading to the beginning of the battle of Petersburg which gradually settles into a siege.

General Philip Sheridan replaces General David Hunter in the Shenandoah Valley and is given orders to harass the enemy constantly and destroy supplies.

Confederate Peace Commissioners arrive at Grant's headquarters seeking to discuss terms of surrender with the Secretary of War and President Lincoln. The meeting was not successful in its goals of surrender and peace.

Sheridan's victory at Five Forks on April 1 forces Lee to abandon Petersburg and Richmond two days later, as part of Grant's strategy to force Lee to retreat.

Grant captures Petersburg and Richmond, VA.

Lee's effort to avoid encirclement leads to his defeat at Sayler's Creek on April 6.

Grant writes to Lee on April 7, stating 'The results of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle.'

Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, marking the end of the Civil War.

Grant meets with the Cabinet to discuss Lee's surrender and the future of the South. He declines Lincoln's invitation to the theatre, thus eluding the plan of John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators to assassinate him along with Lincoln.

Grant was honored with a large celebration in Galena and presented with a home on Bouthillier Street, signifying the recognition and appreciation for his leadership during the Civil War.

Congress established a new rank, general of the armies of the U.S. (four stars), to which Grant was immediately appointed, solidifying his prominent position in the post-Civil War era.

Grant reluctantly accompanies President Johnson on a political tour, during which Johnson's responses to heckling prompts Grant to lose sympathy with the President.

President Andrew Johnson asks Grant to temporarily take over the War Department in an attempt to remove Secretary of War Stanton, who has been a consistent opponent of the President and stands close to the radical Republicans.

Grant resigns his position as Secretary of War ad interim after Congress insists upon the reinstatement of Stanton, leading to an open break with President Johnson.

The Republican National Convention at Chicago nominates Ulysses S. Grant for President, marking a significant political development.

Ulysses Grant accepts the nomination by the Republican Party for President of the United States. His campaign slogan becomes 'Let Us Have Peace.'

The Democrats nominate Horatio Seymour for President and Francis P. Blair, Jr. for Vice President. Seymour is a former Governor of New York, and Blair, Jr. is one of Grant's former commanders.

Grant is elected President of the United States.

Ulysses S. Grant responds to a speech by John M. Langston, chair of a committee representing the National Convention of Colored Men.

Grant's written Acceptance Letter from the same day is widely published and ends with the widely-quoted phrase: 'Let us have peace.'

Congress counts electoral votes and officially announces Ulysses S. Grant as the President.

On March 4, 1869, Ulysses S. Grant was inaugurated as the 18th President of the United States. This event marked the beginning of his presidency, during which he worked to implement Congressional Reconstruction and to remove the vestiges of slavery.

President Grant withdraws the nomination of A. T. Stewart as Secretary of the Treasury after learning that Stewart's business interests make him ineligible. He soon nominates George Boutwell of Massachusetts as a replacement, leading to further complications.

Two days after withdrawing A. T. Stewart's nomination, President Grant nominates George Boutwell of Massachusetts as the new Secretary of the Treasury, causing further complications in the Cabinet.

On March 18, 1869, Ulysses S. Grant signed the Act to Strengthen the Public Credit, committing the government to redeem the greenback currency issued during the Civil War with gold. This action aligned Grant with the financial conservatives of the time.

Lt. Governor Oscar J. Dunn of Louisiana, the first prominent black public official ever to visit the White House, was warmly received.

President signs act authorizing submission of the Constitutions of Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas to a vote of the People, allowing separate votes on specific provisions and requiring ratification of the 15th Amendment prior to admission of representation to Congress.

On May 9, 1869, Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation that established the 8-hour work day for federal employees. This was a significant milestone in labor rights and working conditions for government workers during his presidency.

On May 10, 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed with the driving of a ceremonial golden spike at Promontory Point, Utah, where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met. This significant event marked the joining of the two railroads, connecting the East and West coasts of the United States.

Proclamation 181 directed the submission of the draft Constitution for Virginia to voters for ratification on 07/06/1869, following the law enacted on 04/10/1869. This was a significant step in the constitutional development of Virginia.

A memorial service at Arlington Cemetery was attended on this date, signifying the importance of honoring and remembering individuals who served the nation.

President of the United States appoints his long-time aide, Orville Babcock, as a special agent to gather information about Santo Domingo, as communicated in a letter to the President of the Dominican Republic.

President issues Proclamation 185, directing the submission of the draft Constitution for the state of Texas to voter approval on 11/30/1869.

On September 24, 1869, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk attempted to corner the available gold supply, leading to the infamous Black Friday on the New York gold exchange. Grant's brother-in-law, Abel Rathbone Corbin, was involved in the conspiracy, but Grant's approval of a government gold sale prevented the corner and restored prevailing prices.

On November 3, 1869, Ulysses S. Grant won the presidential election.

Grant's meetings with Gould and Fisk prior to the affair had a devastating effect on farmers as the prices of crops tumbled. While Gould and Fisk were prevented from cornering the market through Grant's intervention, their excellent legal defense and connections with judges enabled them to emerge from the disaster without penalty and with their large fortunes intact.

President delivers the first annual message to Congress, outlining key priorities and initiatives for the upcoming year.

On January 10, 1870, Ulysses S. Grant submitted a treaty of annexation with Santo Domingo to the Senate, aiming to provide an attractive field for American investment and a solution to the race problem. The treaty faced opposition, particularly from Charles Sumner, and despite Grant's efforts, it was not confirmed by the Senate.

President Grant exercises his veto power on the Private Relief Bill, marking the beginning of his frequent vetoing of relief bills throughout his two terms in office.

President Grant signed an Executive Order addressing Virginia's readmission to the Union, which officially occurred on 01/26/1870.

On February 3, 1870, President Grant signed the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, granting black men the right to vote.

On March 30, 1870, Texas was readmitted to the Union after the Civil War.

Special Message transmitted regarding a treaty with Colombia for the construction of an interoceanic canal across the Isthmus of Panama, a project later realized during Theodore Roosevelt's administration.

President issues Proclamation 192 warning against the Fenian Brotherhood's raids on British Army territory in Canada.

The Enforcement Act of 1870, also known as the First Enforcement Act, was signed into law by the President. It prohibited official and private limitations on the right to vote, including acts of intimidation, and made it a federal crime to violate citizens' constitutional rights.

The Act (16 Stat 162) was signed to establish the Department of Justice, a significant step in the development of the federal government's legal system.

Following discussions on tariff reduction, a new tariff law is enacted, maintaining most of the existing protectionist features.

Ulysses S. Grant signs the Tariff Act of 1870, which establishes a duty on most fruit imported into the United States. This act serves as the precursor for 1872 revisions that involved a famous typo.

At the request of North Carolina Governor William Holden, Ulysses S. Grant directs the Secretary of War to provide troops to suppress Ku Klux Klan violence.

The Republican majority in the House dropped from 70% to 56% and in the Senate from 83% to 75%. Many Southerners still did not have voting rights.

President Grant forwards War Department accounts of racist and partisan violence in the former Confederacy.

President Grant addresses disloyal organizations intended to resist the laws or to deprive citizens of the United States of the protection of law or the enjoyment of their rights under the Constitution, emphasizing the Ku Klux Klan.

The Federal Election Law is passed, requiring federal oversight of elections in cities with populations over 20,000. It aims to ensure fair treatment of black voters in the South and is part of a series of enforcement acts.

President Grant signs the Civil Service Reform Act, which leads to the establishment of the first Civil Service Commission.

On April 20, 1871, Congress passed the Ku Klux Klan Act, also known as the third Enforcement Act, at the urging of President Ulysses Grant. The act aimed to expand federal authority to protect voters and established penalties for attempts to deprive citizens of equal protection under the laws.

The Treaty of Washington, negotiated by Hamilton Fish, allows for the settlement of American claims against England arising from the activities of the British-built Confederate raider Alabama. The international tribunal eventually awards $15,500,000 to the United States in a well-balanced decision, avoiding any animosity between the two countries.

The Third Enforcement Act of 1871, also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act, was signed into law. It empowered the President to use armed force to combat voter discrimination and allowed the suspension of habeas corpus to enforce the act if necessary. Section 3 of the act addressed insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combinations, or conspiracies that obstructed the execution of laws and deprived people of their rights, privileges, or immunities named in the Constitution.

The Treaty of Washington was signed by the US and Great Britain on May 8, 1871.

President Ulysses S. Grant issues Proclamation 199, cautioning citizens to refrain from engaging in any activities prohibited in the Third Enforcement Act of 1871.

The Senate ratifies the Treaty of Washington on this date, which was signed by negotiators on 05/08/1871. President Grant also ratifies the treaty on 05/25/1871. The treaty is proclaimed on 07/04/1871.

In July 1871, Grant sent troops to North Carolina to suppress KKK violence.

The Treaty of Washington is signed between the United States and Britain, initiating friendly relations between the two nations. It provides for an arbitration procedure to settle the Alabama claims, in which the United States demands that Britain pay for damages to American shipping during the Civil War caused by Confederate vessels built and equipped in England. The treaty also renews Canadian-American fishing arrangements.

The city of Chicago is almost completely destroyed in a devastating fire, leading to a significant rebuilding effort and the innovation of skyscrapers in urban architecture.

President Ulysses S. Grant issues a proclamation specifically targeting the Ku Klux Klan in South Carolina, taking a stand against their activities in the state.

On October 17, 1871, President Grant suspended habeas corpus in several South Carolina counties.

President removes Attorney General Amos Akerman from office, who was known for his vigorous enforcement against the Klan. It is suggested that his removal was due to offending powerful Republican railroad interests.

The Civil Service Commission appointed by President Grant submitted its report to Congress on December 19, 1871.

On March 1, 1872, President Grant signed legislation establishing Yellowstone as the nation's first national park.

On April 15, 1872, Grant becomes the first President to veto a Private Pension Bill, setting a precedent as he will veto five such bills while in office.

President Grant implemented the reforms suggested by the Civil Service Commission for the Executive Branch of the government on April 16, 1872.

President informs congressional members of the Ku Klux Klan’s actions in South Carolina and sustains the veto in the Senate.

President Grant signs the 'An Act to promote the Development of the mining Resources of the United States,' declaring mineral deposits in public lands free and open to exploration and purchase by citizens of the United States.

On May 22, 1872, President Grant signed the amnesty bill for former Confederates.

On June 5, 1872, the Republican National Convention nominates Grant for reelection and Senator Henry Wilson for vice president.

President Grant signed the Tariff Act of 1872, which was a revision of the Tariff Act of 1870. The act included a typographical error that removed tariffs from imported fruit instead of fruit-plants, resulting in a significant loss of government revenue.

On June 10, 1872, President Grant accepted the Republican nomination for a second term as president.

The National Democratic Convention in Baltimore adopted the platform of the Liberal Republicans and endorsed their nominees as the Democratic candidates.

The Arbitration Panel under the Treaty of Washington awarded the United States $15.1 million for damages caused by British-built warships and illegal fishing, setting a novel method of resolving international disputes and consolidating the 'special relationship' between the U.S. and Great Britain.

The Crédit Mobilier scandal eroded public trust during President Grant's administration.

Ulysses S. Grant won the presidential election on November 4, 1872.

On Election Day, Grant won with 82% of the electoral vote and 56% of the popular vote, defeating Democrat Horace Greely. Republicans also retained strong majorities in the House and the Senate.

Ulysses S. Grant delivered his Fourth Annual Message to Congress.

The House of Representatives adopts a resolution to investigate the relations of Credit Mobilier in conjunction with the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1872, the New York Sun published the story of a scandal in which Union Pacific Railroad directors used the dummy Credit Mobilier Corporation to pay themselves from the railroad treasury; additionally they had bribed congressmen to avoid an investigation. Thirteen Senators are involved, although only two receive censure.

The Coinage Act of 1873, also known as the Crime of '73, omitted silver currency due to scarcity. When Nevada mines began producing greater quantities of silver, they demanded renewed coinage, referring to the act as the 'Crime of '73.'

A House resolution censured Oakes Ames of Massachusetts and James Brooks of New York for their connections with the Credit Mobilier scandal, which involved corruption and bribery in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

President Ulysses S. Grant signs the Coinage Act, which establishes the mint as a bureau of the Treasury Department and specifies details about official coinage. The Act controversially does not authorize a silver dollar for domestic use, leading to it being known as 'The Crime of ’73.'

Ulysses S. Grant was inaugurated as the 18th President of the United States, marking the beginning of his second term in office.

Ulysses S. Grant announced that he would use force if necessary to restore order in Louisiana.

President Ulysses S. Grant approved more civil service rules through an Executive Order, aiming to reform and improve the civil service system.

The panic of 1873 begins with the failure of the firm of Jay Cooke, spreads to the stock exchange, and eventually leads to widespread unemployment.

A special message was delivered to Congress informing them of the resolution reached with Spain regarding the capture of the U.S. ship Virginius on October 31, 1873.

Spanish authorities in Cuba execute the American captain and 36 crew members and passengers of the Virginius, while flying the U. S. flag.

President Ulysses S. Grant delivered his fifth annual State of the Union message, addressing the nation on the current state of affairs and outlining priorities for the future.

Grant refuses to send troops to Texas where defeated Republicans balked at conceding power.

Ulysses S. Grant signed an act repealing the congressional salary increases that were passed in the Salary Grab Act of March 3, 1873, in response to public outcry and protest.

Three Buffalo, New York men who were convicted in 1872 for registering Susan B. Anthony and other women to vote were pardoned by President Grant.

Grant vetoes a bill to increase the amount of legal tender currency. His strong stand against inflation leads to a bill (June 20, 1874) limiting the amount of legal tender currency and providing for its retirement.

President Ulysses S. Grant's daughter, Ellen, married Algernon Sartoris at the White House on May 21. This event garnered public attention and was a significant social occasion.

Ulysses S. Grant issued Proclamation 220, ordering the dispersal of the white supremacist paramilitary organization known as the “White League” in Louisiana.

President Grant took action by deploying US troops and naval vessels to New Orleans to restore law and order.

President Grant issues a proclamation to disperse the rebellious 'White League' in Louisiana and sends five thousand troops and three gunboats to New Orleans. The resistance ends two days later, but Grant and the Republicans face severe criticism for the intervention.

President Grant signed the Resumption Act, which aimed to return the country to the gold standard.

Grant signs the Civil Rights Act of 1875, guaranteeing black Americans equal rights in public places and prohibiting their exclusion from jury duty. The act includes no enforcement provisions and will be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1883. School integration, championed by the now-deceased Charles Sumner, is not included in the bill. The act, nevertheless, creates an important precedent.

Ulysses S. Grant is inaugurated for a second term. In his second inaugural, Grant expresses gratitude for the honor conferred upon him and promises to render the best services within his power to the countrymen. He also acknowledges the overwhelming responsibilities he has carried since the firing upon Fort Sumter in April 1861.

Two hundred and thirty-eight people are accused of conspiring in the 'Whiskey Ring Scandal,' which charges distillers and Treasury Department officials with colluding to evade liquor taxes. President Grant's Private Secretary Orville E. Babcock is later implicated.

The Whisky Ring, a group of corrupt officials and businessmen, is exposed by the Saint Louis Democrat. This leads to an investigation that ultimately compromises important Grant appointees and General Orville E. Babcock, Grant's private secretary.

President Grant states in a letter to Harry White that he is not seeking renomination, which is later republished in numerous newspapers.

Grant receives a letter warning of threats from Whiskey Ring members and forwards it to the Secretary of the Treasury, expressing his desire for no guilty man to escape prosecution. His statement is widely published around the country.

The Whiskey Ring prosecution continues as Grant's statement about not letting any guilty man escape is widely known.

During a speech in Des Moines, Iowa, Grant emphasizes the significance of public education in upholding freedom and democracy in the United States. The speech garners widespread attention and sparks speculation about Grant's potential third term.

Grant advocates nonsectarian and compulsory education in his annual message to Congress.

Grant announces the death of Vice President Henry Wilson through an Executive Order. Wilson's passing marks the fourth instance of a Vice President dying while in office.

The United States and Hawaii signed a trade treaty, granting lands at Pu'u Loa for the establishment of a naval base for the United States.

The trial of Orville E. Babcock begins in St. Louis, known for its connection to the Whiskey Ring scandal.

Ulysses S. Grant gives a deposition related to the trial of his aide, Orville E. Babcock, suspecting the lead prosecutor's motives in connection to the presidential candidacy.

Orville E. Babcock's trial ends with his acquittal after 18 days, marking a significant event in the aftermath of the Whiskey Ring scandal.

Secretary of War William W. Belknap is impeached on charges of accepting bribes from Indian agents, and President Grant accepts his resignation on the same day.

Ulysses S. Grant opened the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Ulysses S. Grant announced that he will not run for a third term as president.

Rutherford B. Hayes of Ohio is nominated by the Republican National Convention for President and William A. Wheeler for vice president.

General George A. Custer and 266 Americans are killed by Sioux Indians in the Battle of Little Bighorn, intensifying anti-Native American sentiment and negating Grant’s Peace Policy.

The Democratic National Convention nominated Samuel J. Tilden for the presidential election.

Colorado officially became the 38th state to join the Union on August 1, 1876.

Democrat Samuel J. Tilden wins the popular vote, but does not have enough electoral college votes to win the election against Republican Rutherford B. Hayes.

Signs Executive Order banning sale of fixed ammunition and metallic cartridges to Native Americans.

In his last message to Congress, Grant reflects on his years in the White House, acknowledging his lack of previous political training before assuming the office of Chief Executive.

In a Special Message, Ulysses S. Grant approves of the electoral commission established by Congress to resolve the disputed 1876 presidential election.

The Compromise of 1877 serves as the basis for settling the 1876 presidential election. It involves Democrats conceding the Presidency to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes in exchange for the complete withdrawal of federal troops from the South, marking the end of the Reconstruction Era and the ushering in of Jim Crow laws.

Rutherford B. Hayes is declared as the president of the United States.

The Senate accepts the Compromise of 1877, and the electoral commission awards disputed electoral votes to Hayes, leading to his presidency.

On March 4, 1877, Ulysses S. Grant retired from the White House after serving as the 18th President of the United States.

In May 1877, the Grant family left Philadelphia on the steamship “Indiana” for a trip around the world, marking a significant event in their post-presidential life.

The Specie Resumption Act is passed, allowing fractional currency and legal-tender notes to be redeemed for coin, beginning January 1, 1879. Sponsored by John Sherman, the bill also increases the number of national banks throughout the country.

On September 20, 1879, Ulysses S. Grant arrived in the United States at San Francisco after his trip around the world.

Ulysses S. Grant returns from his trip, where he was honored in many countries and worked to improve relations with the United States.

The Republican National Convention meets in Chicago, with delegates divided between the followers of James G. Blaine and the stalwarts led by Senator Roscoe Conkling of New York. The convention ends with the nomination of James A. Garfield, despite 306 delegates still voting for Grant.

Ulysses S. Grant, along with his son Ulysses Jr. and his new wife, tours Mexico with Don Matias Romero, the former Mexican minister in Washington. Grant, now president of Jay Gould's Mexican Southern Railroad, advocates for a railroad link between Mexico and the United States.

In August 1881, Ulysses S. Grant purchased a brownstone at 3 East 66th Street in New York City.

Returning from a visit, Ulysses S. Grant slips on the ice in front of his home in New York City, leading to health complications in the following month.

On March 6, 1884, the firm of Grant and Ward collapsed due to a swindler, Ferdinand Ward, luring Ulysses Grant, Jr. into a partnership, resulting in substantial debts for General Grant.

The firm of Grant and Ward collapses, leaving Ulysses S. Grant in dire financial circumstances, leading him to write articles for the Century magazine and eventually decide to write his memoirs.

In February 27, 1885, Ulysses S. Grant signed a contract with his friend Mark Twain to publish his 'Memoirs.'

As an act of respect, Ulysses S. Grant is placed on the list of retired generals, providing much-needed financial support for the Grants.

The first volume of Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs is sent for printing. Due to his deteriorating health, only the initial part has been spoken, and the rest is written down with the help of others. Grant expresses his reflections on his unexpected career as a military leader, president, and now an author, as he battles with illness.

In June 16, 1885, the Grant family moved to a cottage at Mount McGregor, New York, in the Adirondacks to avoid the summer heat.

On July 18, 1885, Ulysses S. Grant completes The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, which are published by Mark Twain's publishing company, Charles A. Webster.

On July 23, 1885, Ulysses S. Grant passes away. He is laid to rest in a temporary tomb in Riverside Park in New York City.

Funeral services for Grant are held at Mount McGregor, and a memorial service is held in London's Westminster Abbey. The coffin is carried by special train to Albany and displayed in the state Capitol, then taken to City Hall in New York City.

Three Presidents of the United States attend the burial services, and Union and Confederate Generals ride together in carriages. Grant's coffin is placed in a temporary tomb at Riverside Park.

After Ulysses S. Grant's death, his memoirs were published in two volumes by Charles L. Webster & Co. in New York.

On December 10, 1885, the Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant were published.

Julia Grant, the wife of Ulysses S. Grant, received the first royalty check for the Personal Memoirs, amounting to $200,000.

Ground is broken for Grant's tomb, after considerable time spent raising the necessary funds.

Grant's tomb is dedicated on what would have been his 75th birthday, after the coffin had been privately transferred 10 days earlier.

Julia Grant dies and is buried with her husband, as both had earnestly requested.

The index to the Ulysses S. Grant Papers was published in 1965 in Washington, D.C.

The administration of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, is a significant period in U.S. history marked by Reconstruction and economic challenges.

In Spring 2022, student intern Trey Lowenthal conducted research for the project by studying all thirty-one volumes of The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant and compiling the information into a spreadsheet.