Ulysses S. Grant Part 1: How did Grant Handle losing 23,746 men in 36 hours?

On March 5, 1877, Ulysses S. Grant was enjoying his first day as a private citizen after eight years as the 18^th president, when he received a phone call from the future.

In this episode, we are going to clear up the rumors and misconceptions you might have about the man on your $50 bill.

Some saw Grant as a butcher who would push men into battle without any concern for their wellbeing or survival. Yet, his men zealously trusted and followed him knowing that he would not ask them to take risks that he would not take himself.

Some say he was a foolish drunkard and should be removed from command. Yet, because of his battlefield brilliance, ability to stay calm, and willingness to fight, Lincoln promoted him throughout the ranks so quickly they scarcely had enough time to sew on his new stripes before he would need another.

And still other say grants presidency was an epic failure because a few poor decisions that in hindsight looked obvious. Yet, during the reconstruction phase at the end of the civil war, he managed to pull the nation together, even though the south resented him as the man who had toppled the mighty Robert E. Lee.

So what was true? Was he a butcher or the only man willing to do the dirty work that had to be done. And with all that carnage, how is it possible that he couldn’t stand the sight of blood? And finally, what natural ability gave him the advantage on each battlefield?

Start the episode to join the conversation.