Continuing on with Bear Grease's Civil War Summer series, Clay Newcomb travels to the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library in Starkville, Mississippi, to uncover the story of the Union general who may be the most misunderstood figure of the war. Alongside Grant historian Dr. Louis Gallo, Clay traces Grant's unlikely journey from a quiet Ohio farm boy and gifted horseman to a failed farmer, struggling businessman, and former army officer battling personal struggles.
The conversation explores Grant's complicated relationship with slavery, his marriage into a slaveholding Missouri family, his years of financial hardship, and the character traits that would eventually make him Lincoln's indispensable commander. Along the way, Clay discusses the Lost Cause ideology, the myths that shaped Grant's reputation, and the remarkable transformation of a man who went from selling firewood on the streets to leading the Union Army and becoming President of the United States.
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