A book review/recommendation: The Personal memoirs of Ulysses Simpson Grant.

I was reading some article and they mentioned this book is one of the written in American history. I found that statement interesting because I have never heard of it before, despite living in St. Louis where Grant lived for a time and was stationed at Jefferson Barracks and despite being to Galena Illinois, several times where he worked in his father‘s hardware store.

It’s free on Apple Books. I’m about a third of the way through it so far and it’s been fascinating.

Who knew Grant was a bleeding heart liberal?!!!

“On the 2d of August I was ordered from Washington to live upon the country, on the resources of citizens hostile to the government, so far as practicable. I was also directed to "handle rebels within our lines without gloves," to imprison them, or to expel them from their homes and from our lines. I do not recollect having arrested and confined a citizen (not a soldier) during the entire rebellion. I am aware that a great many were sent to northern prisons, particularly to Joliet, Illinois, by some of my subordinates with the statement that it was my order. I had all such released the moment I learned of their arrest; and finally sent a staff officer north to release every prisoner who was said to be confined by my order. There were many citizens at home who deserved punishment because they were soldiers when an opportunity was afforded to inflict an injury to the National cause. This class was not of the kind that were apt to get arrested, and I deemed it better that a few guilty men should escape than that a great many innocent ones should suffer.”

Excerpt From
Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete
Ulysses Simpson Grant
https://books.apple.com/us/book/personal-memoirs-of-u-s-grant-complete/id5006131
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