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Medal Name: Eighteenth President of the United States of America
Struck for: President Ulysses Simpson Grant
OBVERSE
Within a wreath of laurel, at the four points of which are shields of the United States of America:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. LIBERTY JUSTICE AND EQUALITY "LET US HAVE PEACE."
Bust ofPresident Grant, facing the right;
under it, a calumet of peace and a branch of laurel.
REVERSE
Within a circle composed of thirty-six stars: ON EARTH PEACE GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN 1871.
The western hemisphere of the globe resting on implements of husbandry, with the Holy Bible above it and rays behind it.
BACKGROUND
Ulysses Simpson Grant was born at Point Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio, April 27, 1822. He was graduated at West Point as second lieutenant in the 4th infantry, July 1, 1843, and served under General Taylor at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterey, and in all General Scott's battles, from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. He was breveted first lieutenant at Molinos del Rey, and captain at Chapultepec, for gallantry in the field. He resigned in 1854, and in the early part of 1860 removed to Galena, Illinois. In the Civil War he entered the service as colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteers, May, 1861. As brigadier-general of volunteers he fought the battle of Belmont, November 7, of the same year; captured Fort Donelson, February 16, 1862, for which he was appointed, on the same day, major-general of volunteers; and won the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862. He took Vicksburg, and was made major-general in the United States Army, July 4, 1863; won the battle of Chattanooga, November 25, same year, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. He became commander-in-chief of the army, March17, 1864; fought the battles of the Wilderness, in May, and besieged Richmond, 1864-1865. He received Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal for Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga, December 17, 1863. In July, 1866, he was made general; acted assecretary of War ad interim (12 August, 1867, February, 1868); President of the United States (first term), 1869-1873; (second term), 1873-1877.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)