'Grant' on History channel: Was Ulysses S Grant a 'bloody butcher' and corrupt politician in real life?
Spoilers for 'Grant' Episode 3 'Freedom's Champion'
Can one judge a man by the consequences of his actions? The three-part miniseries ‘Grant’ makes you reflect on all that and more. Diving into Ulysses S Grant's glorious life, who served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877, the series makes you think about who he really was. Right at the beginning of the series, the historians claim: "He's been called so many things over the years. 'The Greatest General of His Time', 'A Military Genius', 'A Bloody Butcher', 'A Corrupt President', 'A Belligerent Drunk Who Got Lucky'." But do any of those names hold true?
The third part, 'Freedom's Champion' shows the aftermath of the brutal battles in Virginia fought for seven weeks in 1864. The US Army was led to Cold Harbor as Grant wanted control over a vital road hub that linked to Richmond. On the third day of the 13-day battle, it was found that Robert E Lee's men were already there and it led to a costly affair when there were rivers of blood and skeletons lying across the battlefield.
With over 52,000 casualties, Grant was questioned by the journalists. "Was it worth it?" they asked and stamped the label of "the butcher" on his head. The battle came to be known as the second one he regretted after the assault on Vicksburg. So, was he really a 'bloody butcher'? Historians say, "No, he wasn't. It takes a great deal of sheer fortitude and determination to go on. He wasn't a butcher." Soon, Grant got Lee to surrender to him at Appomattox Court House, thus putting a stop to more killings. Grant told his men that the "war is over; the rebels are our countrymen again".
After watching the miniseries, one viewer wrote, "So forget 'The Butcher' Grant was also known as 'Unconditional surrender Grant.' #GRANT," and another said, "We are on to Vicksburg. And this is where Grant gets his nickname 'The Butcher'. He knew he was sacrificing a lot of his men to die, but he knew that he would still win. #GRANT."
Barely days after the war, Grant found out that President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. At his funeral, Grant stood alone and wept, calling Lincoln "the greatest man I have ever known". A few years down the line, he was sworn in as the eighteenth president on March 4, 1869. While he fought the Ku Klux Klan and helped the African-American citizens, his administration was both a success and a failure.
Corruption was everywhere and it was blamed on Grant's gullible nature. As historians point out, he would trust his men and stay loyal towards what they told him. It was not the same case when it came to his men and perhaps, that spelled his downfall. But the real question arises, was Grant a corrupt politician? The answer is no. He wasn't. "Sadly #Grant didn't understand governing within a civil govt, BUT I don't think anyone thought Grant himself was corrupt. If he was, he was even worse at that than other things cuz he ended up broke. I think he meant better than many Presidents, but sadly that doesn't mean success," one viewer posted.
Another wrote, "As a President, he did reign over a very corrupt administration, I think if you called it most corrupt or not depends on what you know & what history knows about other administrations. It's clear he was a terrible judge of men not in a war. #Grant." With gritty depictions of brutal battles, risky gambles, crushing setbacks and triumphant victories, the three-night History miniseries takes viewers inside the moments that defined Grant and forever changed the nation. As one viewer rightfully puts it: "Last night of #Grant on History. It’s been awesome. He was a great general. Watch the replay of the series if you can."
The miniseries premiered on Memorial Day and aired over three consecutive nights beginning Monday, May 25 at 9 pm ET on History Channel.