Galena's Generals

Did you notice I added the plural -s to Generals in this post's title?  Prior to our visit, I knew that Galena, Illinois claimed President Ulysses S. Grant as its favorite son, but I had no idea that eight other men from this town also rose to the rank of General during the Civil War.  


No other city in the United States had more men rise to the rank of General per capita than Galena, Illinois.  When Robert E. Lee finally surrendered to U.S. Grant at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865, three of the fourteen men present in the room were from Galena:  Grant, Parker and Rawlins.

Ulysses S. Grant's Home in Galena

That fact made me wonder whether these eight men were close acquaintances of Ulysses S. Grant from his time in Galena or whether several of them were promoted to Grant's staff because they hailed from Galena, holding that background in common with General Grant.  At this point in history, that's a very difficult question to answer.  However, here are a few facts about Ulysses S. Grant's time in Galena, Illinois.


Ulysses S. Grant moved to Galena in 1860 to work in the leather store owned by his father and managed by his brothers, Simpson and Orvil.  As a young man, Grant attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY and graduated in the middle of his class.  He served in the Mexican War from 1846-1848 under Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott and closely observed their military tactics, but he resigned his commission in 1854 because he missed his wife Julia and his children.   

Looking through doorway into Grant's library

None of Grant's business ventures in the interim had prospered; indeed, Grant was a rather indifferent store clerk since he was away traveling extensively in the Northwest during the winter of 1860-1861.  

Parlor of the Grant Home

With the start of the Civil War in April 1861, Grant left Galena to rejoin the U.S. Army and his wife Julia and four children soon followed him on his military campaigns.  


President Abraham Lincoln promoted Grant to Major General after Grant's victory over the Confederates holding Fort Donelson in February 1862.  To the Confederate fort commander's request to negotiate an end to the siege, Grant replied, "No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender."  His uncompromising reply became wildly popular when reported in Northern newspapers and earned Grant the nickname, "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.


Later, at Shiloh, when Grant was surprised by a Confederate attack and fought one of the bloodiest battles of the war, Lincoln defended Grant against his detractors who wanted him removed by saying, "I can't spare this man--he fights."

The Dining Room

When he returned to Illinois after the war, Galena celebrated the homecoming of its Civil War hero General Ulysses S. Grant on August 18, 1865 with a jubilant parade, welcome home speeches and much flag waving.  

A commanding view of Galena may be seen from Grant's home at the top of Bouthillier Street

A group of Galena citizens, including Elihu B. Washburne and Joseph Russell Jones (more about these two Galena gentlemen later!) had purchased a beautiful furnished house on Bouthillier Street for $2,500 and presented it to Grant at the culmination of his homecoming celebration.

Grant's Home at 500 Bouthillier Street in Galena

Ulysses S. Grant lived in Galena, Illinois from 1865-1869 before leaving for Washington and his inauguration as our 18th president.   


In 1904, Grant's four children gave the furnished home to the City of Galena with the understanding that it would be kept as a memorial to their father.  Perhaps all four children remembered their time in Galena with fondness and wished to do something to help the town which had fallen on hard times by gifting the city with their childhood home. When the City of Galena encountered financial difficulties in 1931, the home was deeded to the State of Illinois.

Statue of Julia Dent Grant

In 2006, a statue of Mrs. Julia Dent Grant, created by Lily Tolpo, was unveiled in the gardens next to the house.  Two of Grant's great-granddaughters participated in that unveiling.

Tim and Norma leaving Grant's home

Leaving Grant's home, we headed downtown to Main Street where our Galena adventures continued.  I'll post more about that tomorrow and watch for additional information regarding Elihu B. Washburne and Joseph Russell Jones later this week.