Who is this person?

[David Lockmiller]

(11-06-2018 06:26 AM)David Lockmiller Wrote:  Early on in his life following his graduation from West Point, Grant had decided upon his career path. The first step involved a return to West Point. What was to be his planned future and what was the successful step he took in this direction?

In answer to my own question, I present the following information from U. S. Grant's Memoirs, Vol. 1, pages 39 and 51:

"Mathematics was very easy for me, so that when January came, I passed the examination, taking a good standing in that branch."

"As already stated, it was never my intention to remain in the army long, but to prepare myself for a professorship in some college. Accordingly, soon after I was settled at Jefferson Barracks, I wrote a letter to Professor Church -- Professor of Mathematics at West Point -- requesting him to ask my designation as his assistant, when next a detail had to be made. Assistant professors at West Point are all officers of the army, supposed to be selected for their special fitness for the particular branch of study they are assigned to teach. The answer from Professor Church was entirely satisfactory, and no doubt I should have been detailed a year or two later but for the Mexican War coming on."