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Ulysses Simpson Grant Collection

 Collection
Identifier: A0605

Scope and Contents

The Ulysses Simpson Grant Collection is an artificial, or subject-based, collection comprising a variety of documents that have been placed in this collection over the years due to their common subject matter (i.e., Ulysses S. Grant). The Ulysses S. Grant Series includes items dated 1858-1885, and consists primarily of correspondence to and from Grant. The series includes eight documents relating to the Civil War and a few items relating to his presidency. The Grant-Dent Family Series includes items dated circa 1885–1959, and comprises material written to or by members of the Grant or Dent families. The Reference Series includes original documents that were collected because they contain information about Grant and typescript copies and reproductions of Grant-related items.

Dates

  • 1788-1959
  • Majority of material found within 1858-1935

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection. However, special reading room handling rules are applicable and should be discussed with the archivist on duty. As with all collections, if the documents exist in another format, researchers will be required to use the other format before the original documents will be paged to the reading room. In the case of the Ulysses S. Grant Collection, published versions of documents should be consulted in the series entitled The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, which is available at the Archives Reference Desk.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright. Facsimiles and other copies of original material may not be reproduced.

Biographical Sketch

The biographical information here is intended only to give major dates in Grant’s life for reference purposes. For additional information, researchers should consult the extensive biographies or other published sources. Ulysses S. Grant was born April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, to Hannah Simpson and Jesse Root Grant, and was baptized Hiram Ulysses Grant. Known as Ulysses from infancy, due to a mix-up by the congressman who nominated him to West Point, he was appointed to the military academy as Ulysses Simpson Grant and the adjutant there refused to correct the error. Grant attended West Point from 1839 to 1843 and served in the Mexican War from 1844 to 1847. On August 22, 1848, he married Julia Boggs Dent, the young woman he had met while stationed at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, 1843-1844. Their marriage produced four children: Frederick Dent Grant (1850-1912), Ulysses Simpson Grant, II (1852-1929), Ellen Wrenshall Grant (1855-1922) and Julia Root Grant (1858-1934). Grant is best known for his Civil War military service during which he rose in rank from colonel of an Illinois regiment to command of all Union armies. Following the war, Grant served briefly as secretary of war and was elected president of the United States in 1868. He served two terms as president, until 1876. After leaving office, he settled in New York and began his memoirs, which were published posthumously in 1885 and 1886. U. S. Grant died of throat cancer on July 23, 1885.

Extent

0.5 Cubic Feet ( (1 box))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in the following series: Ulysses S. Grant Series, Grant-Dent Family Series, and Reference Series. The documents are arranged chronologically within each series.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

Accession numbers and other donor information, when available, are contained at the end of each entry in brackets, such as "[gift of William K. Bixby]."

Existence and Location of Copies

Most of the material in the Ulysses S. Grant Serieshas been published in The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant. Notations such as “Vol. 1/345” that follow an entry in this inventory are references to the volume and page number of The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant in which the document has been published. The bulk of the Ulysses Simpson Grant Collection was digitized by Missouri Historical Society staff in 2007, and additional items were completed in 2016 by Sarah Wohaska. The images may be viewed online by clicking the links beside each item in the inventory.

Related Materials

The following is a list of Ulysses S. Grant documents found in other collections in the Missouri Historical Society Archives.

Other Grant Documents

  1. Document signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C. Appoints Stillman A. Fish of Missouri to be recorder of land titles at St. Louis, Missouri, for four years from the 20th of March 1871, March 25, 1871 (1 page). Alphabetical Files: Fish, Stillman.
  2. Docment signed U.S. Grant, attesting that Lizzie Fortman attended school 200 days without absence at Clay Public School, St. Louis, June 15, 1876. Includes letter regarding donation, dated January 25, 1956 [accession number 66-0067] (Oversize). Alphabetical Files: Fortman, Lizzie.
  3. Note signed U.S. Grant, [Washington, D.C.], to secretary of the treasury. Asks the secretary to see Miss Couzins, February 26, 1873. Small card. (2 pages). Couzins Family Papers.
  4. Letter signed A.R. Easton, St. Louis, Missouri, to U.S. Grant. Recommends his brother Col. L.E. Easton for brigadier general, January 22, 1864 (4 pages) (Vol. 10/90n). Easton, Rufus, Papers.
  5. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Nashville, Tennessee, to A.R. Easton. Complies with Easton’s request to appoint his brother brigadier general, February 7, 1864 (1 page) (Vol. 10/90n). Easton, Rufus, Papers.
  6. Document signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C. Appoints Alton R. Easton as assessor of internal revenue, 1st District of Missouri, April 7, 1869 (1 page). Easton, Rufus, Papers.
  7. Document signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C. Suspended James Lindsey as pension agent at St. Louis, Missouri; designates A.R. Easton to perform duties, April 29, 1873 (1 page). Easton, Rufus, Papers.
  8. Document signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., December 15, 1873. Appoints A.R. Easton to be pension agent at St. Louis, Missouri, for a term of four years beginning December 8, 1873 (1 page). Easton, Rufus, Papers.
  9. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., to A.R. Easton, November 21, 1875. About appointment for marshal of the Eastern District of Missouri. Includes envelope (3 pages). Easton, Rufus, Papers.
  10. Invitation. [U.S. Grant], [Washington, D.C.], to [Barnes], March 4, 1869. Inauguration reception invitation for Grant and Colfax. Invitee slot is blank (1 page). Heath, Anna Barnes, Collection.
  11. Invitation. [U.S. Grant], [Washington, D.C.], to Miss [Anna] Barnes, March 4, 1873. Inauguration Ball invitation (1 page). Heath, Anna Barnes, Collection.
  12. Invitation. [U.S. Grant], [Washington, D.C.], to [Barnes], May 21, 1874. Wedding invitation for marriage of Grant’s daughter, no invitee named. 1 page. Includes menu for reception, printed on fabric, catered by F. Freund (1 page). Heath, Anna Barnes, Collection.
  13. Note signed U.S. Grant, Long Branch, New Jersey, to Mr. Barnes, August 5, 1874. Dinner invitation. Also invites Miss Anna (1 page). Heath, Anna Barnes, Collection.
  14. Invitation. [The Grants], Washington, D.C., to Miss Barnes, December 28, 1875. Dinner invitation. Not in Grant’s hand (1 page). Heath, Anna Barnes, Collection.
  15. Invitation. [The Grants], Washington, D.C., to Miss Barnes, December 27, 1876. Dinner invitation (1 page). Includes place card with seating chart (2 pages). Heath, Anna Barnes, Collection.
  16. Letter signed H.T. Hesse, St. Louis, Missouri, to U.S. Grant, March 26, 1873. Desirous of obtaining consulship to Saxony, a province of Prussia. Verso includes recommendations signed by several men. Contemporary copy (2 pages). Hesse, Herman T., Papers.
  17. Letter signed Robert E. Lee, Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia, to U.S. Grant, October 3, 1864. About exchange of prisoners (1 page) (Vol. 12/263n). Lee, Robert E., Papers.
  18. Document signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., May 15, 1871. Whaling permit. Abraham Burke, captain (1 page). Lehmann, Frederick, Collection.
  19. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., to John F. Long, February 16, 1874. Mr. Fox asked if he would be reappointed (1 page). Long, John F., Papers.
  20. Telegram. U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., to John C. Dent or John F. Long, March 24, 1874. Remains of Judge Dent leaving D.C. this afternoon for St. Louis. Please make arrangements for burial. Dr. Sharp and Col. Grant will accompany the remains (1 page). Long, John F., Papers.
  21. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., to John F. Long, December 1, 1874. Sent $1000 check to pay Missouri taxes. Will send more by February 7 for last installment on Carondelet property (1 page). Long, John F., Papers.
  22. Letter of [U.S. Grant], Long Branch, New Jersey, to John F. Long, July 13, 1875. Incomplete letter. Carlin must pay his own bills. Grant has not kept up with farm receipts and expenses for months. His farming experiment is to wind up, advertise for private sale and then sell everything at auction. Gives payment terms (4 pages). Long, John F., Papers.
  23. Letter of U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., to John F. Long, November 30, 1876. Contemporary copy. Please find a position for Mr. C.C. Fourke (1 page). Long, John F., Papers.
  24. Letter of U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., to John F. Long, January 28, 1877. Will be in U.S. until Jesse finishes in June, then go to Europe. “My means will be sufficient . . . I have no business or attachments to a locality . . . am able to select home of my choice.” (4 pages). Long, John F., Papers.
  25. Letter of U.S. Grant, Galena, Illinois, to John F. Long, September 19, 1880. Signature cut from letter. Received check; no time to visit St. Louis before going east but will attend reunion of old regiment, 21st Illinois (2 pages). Long, John F., Papers.
  26. Letter signed U.S. Grant, New York City, to John F. Long, November 12, 1880. Election results fortunate. No longer lease for Smith. Will sell all Missouri property. Children all entirely independent (4 pages). Long, John F., Papers.
  27. Letter signed U.S. Grant, New York City, to John F. Long, November 30, 1881. Endorsements for surveyor posts come to him. It is not probable that he will see the president until after the 1st of January (2 pages). Long, John F., Papers.
  28. Letter signed U.S. Grant, New York City, to John F. Long, December 16, 1881. Trip to Washington not necessary for the appointment he seeks. Grant will talk to him in your interest. Obliged for the trouble Long has taken with his Missouri property (2 pages). Long, John F., Papers.
  29. Letter signed U.S. Grant, New York City, to John F. Long, April 15, 1882. About Long’s appointment, he has talked to secretary of treasury. He would like to sell St. Louis property (3 pages). Long, John F., Papers.
  30. Document signed U.S. Grant, St. Louis, Missouri, July 7, 1884. Bond for stock in St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association (1 page). Long, John F., Papers.
  31. Sketch of U.S. Grant’s property near Gravois in St. Louis, Missouri, no date (1 page). Long, John F., Papers.
  32. Letter signed John C. Dent, St. Louis, Missouri, to U.S. Grant, December 19, 1864. Letter of introduction for Col. Madison Miller. Includes envelope (1 page) (Vol. 7/503). Miller, Madison, Papers.
  33. Document signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., October 14, 1867. Appoints Madison Miller brevet brigadier general for service in the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, on March 13, 1865. Marked "Care of John Hogan in St. Louis, Missouri." (1 page). Miller, Madison, Papers.
  34. Letter signed F.D. Grant (for U.S. Grant), New York City, to Madison Miller, November 19, 1884. About U.S. Grant's magazine article. Will appear in his book on the war. Would be glad to have Miller’s statement of service for future use (2 pages). Miller, Madison, Papers.
  35. Document signed U.S. Grant, St. Louis, Missouri, November 1, 1858. Deed between Frederick Dent and John Stewart. Grant drew up the deed and signed as witness (3 pages) (Vol. 1/345n). Missouri Land Collection.
  36. Letter signed U.S. Grant, St. Louis, Missouri, to John O'Fallon, April 7, 1858. From office of Barnard and Co., 51 Washington Ave. About a check (1 page) (Vol. 1/342). O’Fallon, John, Collection.
  37. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Headquarters, District S.E. Missouri, Cairo, to commander, Gunboat Conestoga, September 9, 1861. Norfolk is being marched on. Gunboat Lexington likely to be attacked. Please assist (1 page) (Vol. 2/221-2). (The citation is for copies in other repositories but the Missouri Historical Society document appears to be the original.). Phelps, Seth Ledyard, Collection.
  38. Letter signed W.T. Sherman, Headquarters, Right Wing, 13th Army Corps, camp Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, to Col. J.A. Rawlins, January 3, 1863. Contains Sherman's report to General U.S. Grant of the Yazoo River Expedition, December 1862. Includes list of killed, wounded, and missing, by brigade, for the right wing, 13th Army Corps (16 pages) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  39. Letter signed U.S. Grant to Porter. "Report from opposite side of the point says that Queen has just gone down the river, also that heavy guns have been heard far down the river. The firing this afternoon was at the dummy. So far as heard no damage was done," February 24, 1863 (2 pages) (Vol. 7/355n) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  40. Letter signed Grant to Porter, March 2, 1863. "I send you my reply to the letter brought by 'flag of truce'. . . ." (2 pages) (Vol. 7/372) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  41. Note signed W.T. Sherman, headquarters, 15th Army Corps, camp before Vicksburg, to General Grant, March 3, 1863. "I send the negro boy who came up this morning. He belongs to the Indianola and can tell his own tale. . . ." (1 page) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  42. Letter signed U.S. Grant to Porter, March 10, 1863. "Will you be kind enough to furnish our dredging machines with one barrel of lubricating oil to last until some already sent for can be brought from Memphis. . . ." Contemporary copy (1 page) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  43. Letter signed U.S. Grant to Porter. "Should twelve to fifteen small boats be required at the foot of the Canal tonight, to be taken below to be used in landing troops at Warrenton, can they be got from you? . . ." March 26, 1863 (3 pages) (Vol. 7/475) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  44. Letter signed U.S. Grant, headquarters, Dept. of the Tenn., before Vicksburg, to Porter, April 4, 1863. "I see by the Vicksburg papers an advertisement calling upon planters to bring in all their small boats to be sold to the Govt. May this not be intended to make a raid upon our transports and burn at least a part of them? . . ." (2 pages) (Vol. 8/15-16) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  45. Letter signed Wm. C. Stiles, Philadelphia, to U.S. Grant, April 4, 1863. Offers his plan for protecting the Union's iron clad boats in the Mississippi River. Note of U.S. Grant dated April 16 on verso reads, "Referred to Admiral Porter." (2 pages) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  46. Letter of U.S. Grant, Smith's Plantation, Louisiana, to General W.T. Sherman, April 27, 1863. Suggests that Sherman make a reconnaissance of Haines' Bluff. Contemporary copy (2 pages) (Vol. 8/130) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  47. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Port Gibson, to Porter, May 2, 1863. "Our forces entered this place...this morning. Found all the rebels gone and the bridges burned. [When the stream is bridged], I will move immediately to Grand Gulf. . . . I do not anticipate any resistance. . . . I think tomorrow at 10 o’clock my advance may be looked for at the Gulf. Would it not be well to have most of the gunboats there at the same time." (2 pages) (Vol. 8/142) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  48. Letter signed U.S. Grant, rear of Vicksburg, to Porter, May 19, 1863. "My forces are now investing Vicksburg. Sherman's forces run[?] from the Mississippi River above the city two miles east. McPherson is to his left and McClernand to the left of McPherson. If you can run down and throw shell in just back of the lower part of the city it would aid us and demoralize and already badly beaten enemy. . . ." (2 pages) (Vol. 8/239-240) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  49. Note signed U.S. Grant, Haines Bluff, to Porter, May 20, 1863. "A gunboat playing on the second water battery would materially help us. The first water battery is in our possession." (1 page) (Vol. 8/238n) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  50. Letter signed U.S. Grant, near Vicksburg, to Porter, May 21, 1863. "I expect to assault the city at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I would request . . . that you send up the gunboats below the city and shell the rebel entrenchments. . . . If the mortars could all be sent down to near the point on the Louisiana shore and throw in shells during the night it would materially aid me. . . ." (1 page) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  51. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Lake's Landing, Mississippi, to Porter, May 29, 1863. "Will you have the kindness to order the Marine Brigade to Hains' Bluff with instructions to disembark at that point and remain in occupation till I can relieve them by other troops. . . . I have also to request . . . two 9 inch guns, implements and ammunition, complete, to be placed in battery in the rear of Vicksburg. . . ." (2 pages) (Vol. 8/284) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  52. Letter signed U.S. Grant to Porter, July 6, 1863. "The company you speak of being captured at Brook Haven is the one I expected to reach Pensacola. . . ." (1 page) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  53. Letter signed U.S. Grant, headquarters, Dept. of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Porter, July 12, 1863. Regarding boats going to Natchez. (2 pages) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  54. Letter signed U.S. Grant, headquarters, Dept of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Porter, July 21, 1863. Grant suggests "that the gunboats between here and Cairo be instructed to let all boats pass until further orders, without convoy." (2 pages) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  55. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Porter, July 21, 1863. "I am called in just now for transports to supply Gen. Banks to move the Confederate and our sick, to send off prisoners of war who refused to take the parole, to return the 9th Army Corps to Gen. Burnside and lastly I am ordered from Washington to send a force to Helena to go after Price who is said to be moving into southeast Missouri." Requests boats from Naval Brigade (2 pages) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  56. Letter signed U.S. Grant, headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Porter, July 23, 1863. Grant requests that soldiers in his command now on Porter's vessels be directed to report to Lieut. Col. L. Kent, provost marshal general at Vicksburg (1 page) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  57. Letter signed Nimrod B. McPherson (lieutenant commanding Company A, 101st Illinois Volunteers), on board gun boat "Gen. Bragg," off Helena, Ark., to General U.S. Grant, August 4, 1863. Complains of treatment his company has received from naval officers. Includes note of General Grant dated August 19 on verso requesting of Admiral Porter that "this company be ordered to its regiment if it can be spared from its present duty without detriment to the service." (2 pages) [gift of William K. Bixby]. Porter, David D., Papers.
  58. Autograph of U.S. Grant, June 12, 1865. Autograph sent to A.B. Coffin by Amos Webster with letter of transmittal bearing the same date (2 pages). Presidents Collection.
  59. Letter of U.S. Grant, Headquarters, District of West, Jackson, Tennessee, to Gen. Halleck, October 5, 1862. Handwritten copy marked “from war records.” Grant expresses the importance of having a corps of experienced railroad engineers and builders, and asks Halleck for authority to place Col. George G. Pride at the head of this corps (2 pages) (Vol. 6 /120-1). Pride, George G., Collection.
  60. Telegram, 1862. U.S. Grant to Col. Pride. Don’t think road from Memphis will be constructed. Would like to get along with no more locomotives. Building bridge from here to Tallahatchie (1 page). Pride, George G., Collection.
  61. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Milliken’s Bend, Louisiana, to Col. G.C. Pride, April 23, 1863. Regret that you’re leaving the service. Testimonial listing reasons obliged to Pride (3 pages) (Vol. 8/112-3). Pride, George G., Collection.
  62. Letter signed U.S. Grant, Walnut Hills, Mississippi, to Col. Pride, June 15, 1863. Received your letter. Miss your help. Our trenches close to the enemy, position strong (2 pages) (Vol. 8/379). Pride, George G., Collection.
  63. Letter signed T.C. Reynolds, St. Louis, Missouri, to U.S. Grant, June 3, 1875. Draft copy. Suggest Robert C. Allen for U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri (2 pages). Reynolds, Thomas C., Papers.
  64. Document signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., June 10, 1875. Appoints Isaac H. Sturgeon as collector of internal revenue for the First District of Missouri, until the end of the next session of the Senate (1 page). Sturgeon, Isaac, Papers.
  65. Document signed U.S. Grant, Washington, D.C., December 17, 1875. Appoints Isaac H. Sturgeon as collector of internal revenue for the First District of Missouri (1 page). Sturgeon, Isaac, Papers.
  66. Letter signed U.S. Grant, St. Louis, Missouri, to John O’Fallon and J. How, January 27, 1864. Your invitation to a dinner to be given by citizens of St. Louis is received. Grant accepts and says that his stay in the city will be short (2 pages) (Vol. 10/69-70). Treat, Samuel, Judge, Papers.

Separated Materials

When the collection was processed in 1999, several items were transferred to the Missouri Historical Society Library and other collections in the Missouri Historical Society Archives.

Items Removed:

  1. Galena’s Yesterday, 1931, by Florence Gratiot Bale. Transferred to Library, June 30, 1999.
  2. “Grant’s Letters to His Missouri Farm Tenants,” edited by LeRoy H. Fischer. (Reprinted from Agricultural History, January 1947.) Transferred to Library, June 30, 1999.
  3. Article titled “The Rediscovery of Ulysses S. Grant” by John Y. Simon. In Inland: The Magazine of the Middle West, No. 1, 1974. Transferred to Library, June 30, 1999.
  4. Program titled “Memorial Day at the Tomb of General U.S. Grant, Riverside Park. Under the Auspices of U.S. Grant Post No. 327, Department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic,” May 30, 1908. Transferred to William K. Bixby Papers, Archives, June 30, 1999.
  5. Correspondence relating to the Dent family home known as White Haven, 1916-1961. Transferred to Alphabetical Files--Grant-Dent Memorial Association, July 6, 1999.
  6. Correspondence relating to the Grant monument on 12th St., 1888. Transferred to Grant Monument Association of Missouri Records, Archives, July 6, 1999.
  7. Correspondence and plans relating to the Grant family home known as Hardscrabble, 1888-1958. Transferred to Alphabetical Files--Grant Cabin Association, July 6, 1999.
  8. Chauncey Filley correspondence and reminiscences, 1907-1908. Transferred to Filley Family Papers, Archives, July 6, 1999.

Processing Information

Processed by Amy Shaffer and Chuck Hill, July 1999.

Subjects

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Inventory of Ulysses Simpson Grant Collection
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Jaime Bourassa using ArchivesSpace
Date
2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

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