Ulysses S. Grant, the stoic Union general who led the North to victory in the Civil War and later served two terms as President of the United States, remains one of the most enduring figures in American history. His life was a tapestry of triumphs, scandals, and personal struggles, culminating in a poignant final chapter marked by financial ruin and a terminal illness. But when exactly did Ulysses S. Grant die? The answer is July 23, 1885, at the age of 63, succumbing to throat cancer in a modest cottage at Mount McGregor, New York. This date not only marks the end of an era but also the completion of his remarkable memoirs, which he raced against death to finish. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore Grant’s extraordinary journey—from his humble beginnings to his heroic military exploits, controversial presidency, and heartbreaking final years. Through it all, we’ll uncover the man behind the legend, drawing on historical accounts to paint a vivid picture of his enduring impact on the nation.
The Early Life of Ulysses S. Grant
Born Hiram Ulysses Grant on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, Grant’s early years were shaped by a modest Midwestern upbringing that foreshadowed his unassuming yet resilient character. His father, Jesse Root Grant, operated a tannery, exposing young Ulysses to the realities of hard labor from an early age. Despite this, Grant showed little interest in the family business, preferring outdoor activities and displaying an innate talent for horsemanship that would later serve him well in military life.
Childhood in Ohio
Growing up in Georgetown, Ohio, after his family relocated there in 1823, Grant was the eldest of six children. He attended local subscription schools, where he excelled in mathematics but struggled with other subjects. His childhood was marked by a strong work ethic; by age 10, he was driving wagons and handling horses with expertise uncommon for his years. Family life was influenced by Methodist values, though Grant himself maintained a private faith, never formally joining a church. Politically, he leaned toward the Whig Party, influenced by his father’s views, setting the stage for his later Republican affiliations. Anecdotes from his youth highlight his quiet determination—traits that would define his leadership style.
Education at West Point
In 1839, at age 17, Grant entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, nominated by Congressman Thomas L. Hamer. A clerical error listed him as “Ulysses S. Grant,” a name he adopted to avoid ridicule over his original initials, H.U.G. Ranking 21st in a class of 39 upon graduation in 1843, Grant was indifferent to military discipline but shone in horsemanship and art, producing several surviving works under tutor Robert Walter Weir. Assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, he began a military career that would soon thrust him into conflict.
Grant’s Military Career
Grant’s path to fame was forged in the fires of two major wars, transforming him from a reluctant soldier into a national hero. His experiences in combat honed his strategic mind and unflinching resolve, qualities that proved pivotal in preserving the Union.
Service in the Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) was Grant’s first taste of battle. Serving under Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, he participated in key engagements like Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterrey. At Monterrey, Grant bravely carried dispatches through sniper fire, earning a brevet promotion to first lieutenant. He later received another brevet to captain for actions at Molino del Rey and Chapultepec. Though he viewed the war as unjust—believing it was an act of aggression against Mexico that invited divine retribution in the form of the Civil War—Grant gained invaluable logistical and leadership skills. The conflict ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ceding vast territories to the U.S., but it left Grant disillusioned, leading to his resignation from the army in 1854 after peacetime struggles with isolation and rumored alcoholism.
Rise During the Civil War
When the Civil War erupted on April 12, 1861, with the attack on Fort Sumter, Grant, then working in his father’s leather store in Galena, Illinois, rejoined the Union cause. Appointed colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he quickly rose to brigadier general. His early successes, including the capture of Paducah, Kentucky, demonstrated his aggressive style. Grant’s philosophy was simple: “We have a government and laws and a flag, and they must all be sustained.”
Key Battles and Victories
Grant’s legend was cemented through a series of decisive victories. In February 1862, he captured Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, earning the nickname “Unconditional Surrender Grant” for his demand of “no terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender.” The Battle of Shiloh in April 1862 was bloody, with over 23,000 casualties, but Grant’s resolve—”Lick ’em tomorrow, though”—turned the tide. The Vicksburg Campaign (1862–1863) was his masterpiece; the city’s surrender on July 4, 1863, split the Confederacy and boosted Union morale. Promoted to lieutenant general in March 1864, Grant oversaw all Union armies, launching the Overland Campaign against Robert E. Lee. Battles like the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor were grueling, but the Siege of Petersburg led to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. Grant’s generous terms—”The war is over; the rebels are our countrymen again”—promoted reconciliation.
Grant as President
Elected in 1868 at age 46—the youngest president to date—Grant’s two terms (1869–1877) were a mix of progressive reforms and damaging scandals. His administration navigated the turbulent waters of Reconstruction, aiming to heal a divided nation.
Reconstruction Efforts
Grant prioritized civil rights, supporting the Fifteenth Amendment to secure African American voting rights and establishing the Department of Justice in 1870 to prosecute the Ku Klux Klan. Under Attorney General Amos T. Akerman, the KKK was dismantled by 1872. He appointed African Americans to federal posts, like Ebenezer D. Bassett as minister to Haiti, and signed the Civil Rights Act of 1875. His “Peace Policy” toward Native Americans sought assimilation, appointing Ely S. Parker as the first Native American Commissioner of Indian Affairs, though events like the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876 highlighted failures.
Scandals and Challenges
Despite personal integrity, Grant’s presidency was plagued by corruption. The Gold Corner Conspiracy (Black Friday, 1869) involved speculators Jay Gould and Jim Fisk manipulating the market, causing economic chaos. The Whiskey Ring (1875) saw tax evasion scandals, with Grant’s secretary Orville Babcock indicted but acquitted. Other issues included the Crédit Mobilier scandal and Secretary of War William Belknap’s resignation over kickbacks. The Panic of 1873 triggered the Long Depression, exacerbating economic woes. Grant’s loyalty to friends often blinded him to graft, tarnishing his reputation.
Foreign Policy Achievements
Grant’s diplomacy shone with the Treaty of Washington (1871), resolving Alabama Claims with Britain, and a free trade treaty with Hawaii in 1875, securing Pearl Harbor. Attempts to annex Santo Domingo failed, but his efforts bolstered U.S. international standing. He also established Yellowstone National Park in 1872, a landmark in conservation.
Post-Presidency Adventures
After leaving office in 1877, Grant sought new horizons, embarking on a world tour and later facing financial catastrophe that set the stage for his final act.
World Tour
From May 1877 to September 1879, Grant and Julia traveled globally, visiting Europe, Africa, India, the Middle East, and Asia. Funded partly by investments, they met luminaries like Queen Victoria and Otto von Bismarck, enhancing America’s global image. The tour, supported by U.S. Navy ships, was a triumphant respite, but Grant returned eyeing a third presidential term in 1880, which eluded him.
Financial Downfall
In 1881, Grant invested in his son Buck’s brokerage firm, Grant & Ward, but partner Ferdinand Ward’s Ponzi scheme collapsed in May 1884, leaving Grant bankrupt with just $189 in his account. This humiliation, compounded by years of cigar smoking, led to his throat cancer diagnosis in October 1884.
The Battle with Cancer
Grant’s final years were a heroic struggle against illness, mirroring his wartime tenacity. Diagnosed with incurable throat and tongue cancer—likely from smoking 10–20 cigars daily—he faced excruciating pain but channeled his energy into securing his family’s future.
Diagnosis and Progression
Symptoms began in June 1884 with throat pain, but Grant delayed treatment. By October, Dr. John H. Douglas confirmed cancer. Treated with cocaine water for relief, the disease spread, causing hemorrhages and choking episodes. By March 1885, nationwide concern mounted as newspapers reported his decline.
Writing the Memoirs
Bankrupt and dying, Grant accepted Mark Twain’s offer to publish his memoirs, receiving a $1,000 advance and 75% royalties. Writing furiously—up to 50 pages a day despite agony—he completed the 366,000-word “Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant” on July 16, 1885, focusing on his military life. Praised as one of the finest military autobiographies, it sold over 300,000 copies, earning Julia $450,000 (equivalent to $12 million today).
The Death of Ulysses S. Grant
In June 1885, Grant moved to a cottage at Mount McGregor for cooler air. Propped up to avoid choking, he endured constant pain, communicating via notes.
Final Days at Mount McGregor
Surrounded by family, Grant finished his memoirs and penned a farewell to Julia. On July 23, 1885, at 8:08 a.m., he passed away peacefully. His last words reflected acceptance: “There is nothing more I should do to it now, and therefore I am not likely to be more ready to go than at this moment.”
Funeral and Legacy
Grant’s funeral on August 8, 1885, in New York City drew over a million mourners, including former Confederate generals as pallbearers, symbolizing reconciliation. Buried in Riverside Park, his tomb—dedicated in 1897 as the General Grant National Memorial—remains the largest mausoleum in America. Grant’s legacy endures as a defender of the Union and civil rights advocate, though shadowed by presidential scandals. His memoirs, a testament to his grit, continue to inspire, reminding us of his final victory over adversity.
In reflecting on when Ulysses S. Grant died—July 23, 1885—we see not just an end, but the culmination of a life defined by duty, resilience, and quiet heroism. From Ohio farm boy to Civil War savior and president, Grant’s story is quintessentially American, blending glory with human frailty. His battle with cancer and financial woe humanizes him, while his achievements cement his place in history. As Gertrude Stein once noted, thinking of Grant brings tears, for he embodied the nation’s struggles and triumphs. Today, his tomb overlooks the Hudson, a silent guardian of his enduring spirit.