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There's some question as to whose idea it was. It remains that Sam Grant made it happen.
And that brings up two off-topic questions: Why was he called Sam? And, did he ever use the name, Hiram?
ole
I seem to recall seeing one of the paintings which Grant did and it was signed "Hiram Grant"
I have often wondered why he was called "Sam." For that matter, why was John Bell Hood also known as "Sam" and why was James Longstreet known as "Pete". It was certainly a confusing time. Its almost as bad as Tolkien in the Silmarillian where everyone has four names.
__________________ "There must be more historians of the Civil War than there were generals figthing in it... Of the two groups, the historians are the more belligerent." David Donald, Lincoln Reconsidered (1961)
This seems like a good place to ask. Forts Henry and Donelson are still on my 'to see' list. Are they worth a visit? (I have a long way to come)
Don't let me scare you, I'm just giving those boys west of the Smokey mountains a hard time. They won't admit the war in the west play second fiddle to the war east of the Smokey and Blue ridge mountains.
Ft. Donelson was a good battle for Grant had them pinned to the river. Just like Shiloh, the rebels attack while Grant was off doing something and he comes back to secure victory.
The rebels turned Grant's right flank and open a two mile wide gap. The rebels leader knew this but chose to not to exploit it giving Grant time to counterattack and victory.
Just like Shiloh a little later on in history..
These fans of the war in the west can do a better job then me explain this battle. Grant's victory did open central TN. to be secure for the north.
__________________
"States Rights are about States Wrongs" - Jesse Jackson
I seem to recall seeing one of the paintings which Grant did and it was signed "Hiram Grant"
I have often wondered why he was called "Sam." For that matter, why was John Bell Hood also known as "Sam" and why was James Longstreet known as "Pete". It was certainly a confusing time. Its almost as bad as Tolkien in the Silmarillian where everyone has four names.
Hiram is his given name by his dad but some scew up at West Point somehow Sam was added....
I should look it up but his given name:.
Hiram Ulysses Grant
Forgiven if I am wrong but I am being lazy...
__________________
"States Rights are about States Wrongs" - Jesse Jackson
Hiram is his given name by his dad but some scew up at West Point somehow Sam was added....
I should look it up but his given name:.
Hiram Ulysses Grant
Forgiven if I am wrong but I am being lazy...
I know his given name was Hiram Ulysses, but he generally went by H. Ulysses or 'Lyss. When he was given his appointment to West Point it was in the name of Ulysses Simpson Grant, Simpson being his mother's maiden name. He tried to register as Ulysses H. Grant (wanting to avoid the initials H.U.G. for obvious reasons) but they would only register him based on the name on his appointment - Ulysses S. Grant so thus it became.
But why was he known as "Sam?" And why was Hood known as Sam as well? And Longstreet as Pete? Come on, someone has to know.
__________________ "There must be more historians of the Civil War than there were generals figthing in it... Of the two groups, the historians are the more belligerent." David Donald, Lincoln Reconsidered (1961)
This seems like a good place to ask. Forts Henry and Donelson are still on my 'to see' list. Are they worth a visit? (I have a long way to come)
Do not come that far to see only them. I haven't been to Henry, but I understand that it's all gone. The Tennessee had flooded it in early 1862 and they've since dammed the river to create a lake which further inundated it. But I have visited Ft. Donelson. It is well worth a half-day. A few of the original breastworks, a contrived setup of some impressive cannon, a lovely view of the Cumberland River, and a population of eagles.
It's a short drive from Nashville (remember that we have a peculiar habit of driving on the wrong side of the road and all the rental cars have the steering wheel on the wrong side). But in the area, depending on your time and inclination to drive, you have Shiloh, Corinth, Spring Hill, Franklin, Murphreesboro, Chattanooga, Chickamauga plus, if you're into minutia, Parker's Crossroads, Sugar Creek, and all the places that were there during Hood's invasion and retreat.
Ask, and someone will give it unto you.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
I've also noticed the rental cars don't have a clutch pedal or proper gear lever. Quite rare over here, and a bit of novelty value when I visit the US.
I know his given name was Hiram Ulysses, but he generally went by H. Ulysses or 'Lyss. When he was given his appointment to West Point it was in the name of Ulysses Simpson Grant, Simpson being his mother's maiden name. He tried to register as Ulysses H. Grant (wanting to avoid the initials H.U.G. for obvious reasons) but they would only register him based on the name on his appointment - Ulysses S. Grant so thus it became.
My take is that he was never actually addressed as Hiram. Most called him Ulie, his father called him "useless."
This is logical speculation I've read: The congressman who made the appointment was aware only that his name was Ulysses. When he wrote the appointment, he assumed that the middle name must be Simpson, as the contemporary practice was to use the mother's maiden name as a middle name.
And there might be some merit that the initials "HUG" on the foot-locker might have some deleterious effect had something to do with Grant's decision to not object to the change of his actual name.
But we still have no idea why he was called Sam.
Having thoroughly hijacked the Ft. Henry thread, I'll submit that it was done anyway. Unless someone has something to add?
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
I have posted in the General Discussion re: Grant's name under the topic "Ulysses "Sam" Grant.
__________________ "There must be more historians of the Civil War than there were generals figthing in it... Of the two groups, the historians are the more belligerent." David Donald, Lincoln Reconsidered (1961)
Do not come that far to see only them. I haven't been to Henry, but I understand that it's all gone. The Tennessee had flooded it in early 1862 and they've since dammed the river to create a lake which further inundated it. But I have visited Ft. Donelson. It is well worth a half-day. A few of the original breastworks, a contrived setup of some impressive cannon, a lovely view of the Cumberland River, and a population of eagles.
It's a short drive from Nashville (remember that we have a peculiar habit of driving on the wrong side of the road and all the rental cars have the steering wheel on the wrong side). But in the area, depending on your time and inclination to drive, you have Shiloh, Corinth, Spring Hill, Franklin, Murphreesboro, Chattanooga, Chickamauga plus, if you're into minutia, Parker's Crossroads, Sugar Creek, and all the places that were there during Hood's invasion and retreat.
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