Ulysses S. Grant to be promoted

[David Lockmiller]

Ulysses S. Grant will receive a posthumous promotion, thanks to a defense bill passed by Congress and now awaiting President Biden's signature. The 2023 National Defense Authorization Act included a measure promoting Grant to General of the Armies of the United States, the highest rank in the U.S. Army.

[Gene C]

And a long overdue promotion too.

However, the increase in his pay due to the posthumous promotion has not been collected by the late General, so this increase in salary was considered forfeit for not notifying proper government authorities of change of address in the required time, and all monies will be returned to the US Treasury immediately.

However any increase in income tax revenue due to the federal government's posthumous promotion can not be waived so the former president will be required to pay the income tax on this promotion going back 140 years, since death is not a legal remedy for not paying taxes. The estimated delinquent tax is estimated to be approximately $2,615,378.23 not including back interest and late payments increasing the total amount due to the Federal Government to just over $18,000,000.99

[Dave B]

Posthumous honors are more expensive than I thought.

[David Lockmiller]

(12-25-2022 11:18 PM)Dave B Wrote:  Posthumous honors are more expensive than I thought.

General Grant would have settled for being the mayor of the town in Ohio where he lived. According to Professor Burlingame, "the only office [Grant] wanted was the mayoralty of his hometown so that he could have a sidewalk laid from his house to the train station." (Abraham Lincoln, A Life, Vol. Two, page 628.) [Note: This remark was made in reference to the possibility of his being elected to the office of President of the United States.]

[AussieMick]

I was thinking that he would have been able to claim some deductions from that tax return... maybe not to the extent of some other presidents.

[David Lockmiller]

At the ceremony the following day, Lincoln addressed the general formally: "The nation's appreciation of what you have done, and it's reliance upon you for what remains to do, in the existing great struggle, are now presented with this commission, constituting you Lieutenant General in the Army of the United States. With this high honor devolves upon you also, a corresponding responsibility. As the country herein trusts you, so, under God, it will sustain you. I scarcely need to add that what I here speak for the nation goes my own hearty personal concurrence. "

Grant replied: "Mr. President, I accept this commission with gratitude for the high honor conferred. With the aid of the noble armies that have fought on so many fields for our common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disappoint your expectations. I feel the full weight of the responsibilities now devolving on me, and I know that if they be met, it will be due to those armies, and, above all, to the favor of Providence which leads both nations and men." Grant had so hastily scribbled down his remarks that he could barely read them. Manifestly embarrassed, he stumbled his way through his delivery. Despite that problem, William O. Stoddard reported that the event "was simple, manly, dignified," worthy of the general and the president. There was no "pomp, no show, no vulgar ostentation."

(Abraham Lincoln: A Life, Vol. Two, pages 630-631.)

[Dave B]

In my opinion Grant was one of the most humble individuals I've ever read about. We could use more of that in 2023.

[David Lockmiller]

(12-27-2022 08:21 AM)Dave B Wrote:  In my opinion Grant was one of the most humble individuals I've ever read about. We could use more of that in 2023.

Grant afterward returned to the Blue Room, where Lincoln discussed with him the ceremony to be held next day. "Tomorrow at such time a you may arrange with the Sec[retary] of War, I desire to make to you a formal presentation of your commission as Lieut. Genl." With characteristic consideration, the president tried to make the occasion as easy as possible for the rather shy Grant: "I shall then make a very short speech to you, to which I desire you to reply, for an object; and that you may be properly prepared to do so I have written what I shall say -- only four sentences in all -- which I shall read from my MSS[*], as an example which you may follow and also read your reply, as you are perhaps not as much accustomed to speaking as I myself -- and I therefore give you what I shall say that you may consider it and form your reply." In that reply, Lincoln asked the general to incorporate two points: "1st To say something which shall prevent or obviate any jealousy of you from any of the other generals in the service, and secondly, something which shall put you on as good terms as possible with this Army of the Potomac. Now consider whether this may not be said to make it of some advantage; and if you see any objection whatever to doing it be under no restraint whatever in expressing that objection to the Secretary of War who will talk further with you about it."

(Abraham Lincoln: A Life, Vol. Two, page 630.)

It was President Lincoln's guidance that substantially informed Lieutenant General Grant's formal reply in accepting the Commission.

* - MSS is an abbreviation for manuscript, meaning written by hand rather than printed or typeset in any way.

And, in reference to your statement, Dave, that "In my opinion Grant was one of the most humble individuals I've ever read about," I agree.

And, there is this confirmation: The two men, who had not met before, greeted each other cordially, but, as Nicolay recorded "with that modest deference -- felt rather than expressed by word or action -- so appropriate to both." (Abraham Lincoln: A Life, Vol. Two, page 630.)

[David Lockmiller]

I neglected to add the date of this event.

On March 8, [1864], Grant arrived and called that evening at the White House, where a public reception was being held. Noah Brooks described him on that occasion as "rather slightly built," with "stooping shoulders, mild blue eyes and light brown hair and whiskers, with a foxy tinge to his mustache. He has a frank, manly bearing, wears an ordinary-looking military suit, and doesn't put on any airs whatever." When Lincoln heard the crowd buzz, he knew Grant was on the premises, and hurried to welcome him, warmly shaking his hand.

(Abraham Lincoln: A Life, Vol. Two, page 629.)

[Dave B]

Off topic for a second. What amazes me about Lincoln is how he was able to put aside pride etc and invite his opponents to be his cabinet members. Not one in a thousand could have or would have done that.

[Dave B]

There's an annual Grant Symposium somewhere in Illinois east of St Louis, about an hour or so from me. But I've so far never attended. I may do so next time.

[Gene C]

That sounds like fun.
https://mohumanities.org/grant-symposium/

Not sure where or when the one for 2023 will be.

[David Lockmiller]

(12-28-2022 10:08 PM)Gene C Wrote:  That sounds like fun.
https://mohumanities.org/grant-symposium/

Not sure where or when the one for 2023 will be.

Gene, it says on the first page (second paragraph) of your hyperlink:

"Watch for news of the Tenth Annual U. S. Grant Symposium, which will be held in the third week of July, 2023."