urious that he was not part of the Calvary during the Civil War, possibly due to his compact stature. Calvary men were usually much taller that Grant’s 5’8 height. Grant finished twenty-first out of thirty-one cadets graduating in 1843.
After graduating from West Point, Grant, like many officers during the Civil War, Grant served in the Mexican War (1846-1848). While stationed at remote outposts, away from wife Julia, Grant drank heavily. Idleness, boredom, and loneliness would get the better of Grant, and people around him would notice his emotional change. Consistently throughout his life however, Grant would abstain from alcohol during combat periods where he was engaged in battle and had responsibilities. (Chernow)
In his Memoirs Grant maintains that he left the Army in 1854 because he could not support his wife and two children on his army officer pay while on the Pacific coast. (Grant) There is however overwhelming evidence that suggests Grant resigned due to his drinking problem. Grant had been offered the option to “resign or reform” to which Grant replied “I will resign if I don’t reform.” (Chernow) On a following Sunday morning, Grant showed up to pay his company, drunk or under the influence of alcohol. He was given the option to resign, or face a court-martial; he choose to resign, and mentioned he did not want wife Julia to know. Civilian life for Grant, as for Sherman, would be unfruitful and both men would face extreme hardship. (Flood)
Life as a civilian was not good for Grant. After resigning from the Army, Grant went to live with Julia’s family just outside of St. Louis, Missouri on a plantation called White Haven. (Flood) Grant was not a supporter of slavery, and Julia’s family, the Dent’s owned slaves. This fact would be a source of contention between Julia’s father, Colonel Dent, and Grant who grew up with abolitionist parents. Grant farmed the land, albeit unsuccessfully, lacking money to sto...