The American Civil War discussion

Ok, this thread is for any Civil War discussion that is kind of random...

So tonight, my 11 year (who is a trivia enthusiast and always trying to stump us) comes running into the room with his tablet.

"Dad, do you know what the S stands for in Ulysses S Grant?"

I chuckle, because I know what it stands for. I immediate proceed to give him a historic exposition on how his name was Hiram Ulysses Grant, but that when he arrived at Westpoint, the admissions officer said that they had an approval for "Ulysses S Grant", not a Hirum Ulysses Grant. That if he want was "Hiram Ulysses Grant, then they didn't have a spot for him, but that if he was Ulysses S Grant they did. I then spoke about how he was know as "Unconditional Surrender" Grant because of the Battles of Ft Henry and Donnelson. But anecodotally he was also known as "Uncle Sam" Grant. After about 5 minutes, I stopped, "I betchya didn't think I knew all that?"

He looks at me, "I just wanted to know what the S stood for. Do you know what the E stands for in Robert E Lee?"

Great story!

What city was the first to be occupied by federal forces? Alexandria, VA.

What was the first confederate capital to fall? Nashville, and was occupied from February 1862 - through the end of the war (and afterward with reconstruction).

Interesting, Belle. Nashville is part of the story that the North had some good advances in the war before the Peninsula Campaign. We forget that.

Porter wrote: "So tonight, my 11 year (who is a trivia enthusiast and always trying to stump us) comes running into the room with his tablet.

"Dad, do you know what the S stands for in Ulysses S Grant?"

I chuck..."

That's hilarious, and so typical of children – totally unimpressed by their parents.

He was last night when he asked me if I knew that there was an island controlled by the US and Canada.

I immediately told him about the Pig War and he thought that was the funniest thing ever

Porter wrote: "He was last night when he asked me if I knew that there was an island controlled by the US and Canada.

I immediately told him about the Pig War and he thought that was the funniest thing ever"

Thanks, Porter. I had never heard of the Pig War but I've just read up on it on Wiki and it made me laugh. What a fascinating little bit of Anglo-American history. :-D

Porter wrote: "So tonight, my 11 year (who is a trivia enthusiast and always trying to stump us) comes running into the room with his tablet.

"Dad, do you know what the S stands for in Ulysses S Grant?"

I chuck..."

Good one Porter :) I'm jealous - usto have to coerce & threaten my ex-gf's 11 yr old every night to do even a minimum of homework :(

Anyway, watched a dvd the other night that had a short mention of that Grant story which got me wondering (along with your son :) ...

Did you REALLY have to change your name to get into a school?
Couldn't they just trade the REAL Grant for the non-existent one?
Where did Ulysses come from anyway?
Was there a legal name change involved at some point?
If not, how can you be president?
How would dad feel if his son changed the name he gave him? :)

P.S. I call him Ultimately Sieges Grant :)