In this episode, we welcome Nick Sacco, the acting historian and curator at the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in St. Louis, to discuss the pivotal years of Ulysses S. Grant’s life between the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. We examine Grant’s early military assignments at Jefferson Barracks, his evolving personal and political relationships with the Dent family, and the diverse, rapidly expanding city of St. Louis as a backdrop to his struggles and successes. Nick sheds light on Grant’s complex ties to slavery, including his ownership and eventual emancipation of William Jones, while also addressing the paradox of Grant fighting to end slavery even as his wife continued to benefit from enslaved labor.

Our conversation explores Grant’s courtship of Julia Dent, the professional hurdles he encountered in St. Louis, and the lasting impact the city had on his life, from his first meeting with Julia to his return as president decades later. We delve into how Julia’s privileged upbringing shaped her role as First Lady, and how Grant’s close relationship with his brother-in-law, Fred Dent, extended into the White House years. By examining this lesser-known chapter of Grant’s life, we gain insight into the formative influences that would shape his perspectives on family, politics, and the nation’s most pressing social issues.

Music by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au