PRESIDENT ULYSSES S. GRANT - AUTOGRAPH NOTE UNSIGNED CIRCA 1874 - HFSID 283570

[ULYSSES S. GRANT]
Unsigned note by President Ulysses S. Grant, asking the Secretary of the Navy to send the son of Judge Lewis Dent to Washington to see his dying father Judge Lewis Dent. The judge was the brother of First Lady Julia Dent Grant.
Autograph note unsigned. Black ink notes on verso in unknown hand. 2 pages, 3½x2 card. Written in lead pencil, in full: "Ask sec. of Navy to telegraph authority for Baine Dent to come to Washington to-day to remain until Monday to see his father who is not expected to live many days.". This note was written just before the death of Judge Lewis Dent, the brother of First Lady Julia Dent Grant, on March 22, 1874. Baine C. Dent, who had graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1860, was the judge's son. That was a rough year for Julia, as her father, Frederick Fayette Dent, had died not three months prior to her brother's death on Dec. 15, 1873. West Point graduate Grant (1822-1885, born Hiram Ulysses Grant in Point Pleasant, Ohio) had little success in civilian life but was one of the greatest military leaders the United States has produced. After winning many victories on the Mississippi during the American Civil War, culminating in the capture of Vicksburg (1863),he was brought to the Virginia theatre to face the forces of Robert E. Lee, who had bested a long series of former Union generals. He finally compelled Lee's surrender (April 9, 1865) on generous terms. Grant's two terms as Republican President (1869-77)were less successful. Personally honest, Grant was unable to prevent graft by subordinates. Lightly toned and soiled. Mounting residue at bottom edge and on verso, which touches signature. Otherwise in fine condition.