10 Fascinating Facts About Lee and Grant-- Part 1: Of Bluebloods and Names

From the April 9, 2016, Yahoo! News "10 fascinating facts about Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant" by NCC Staff.

1.  Robert E. Lee was among the "bluest of Virginia bluebloods."  The Lee name is important in colonial and early Virginia history.  His father was "Light Horse" Harry Lee, who fought with George Washington and gave the eulogy at Washington's funeral.

2. U.S. grant was not a blueblood.  He grew up in Ohio and his father was not rich.  Grant, however, said, his grandfather fought at Bunker Hill.

3.  The family of Lee's future wife did not think Lee was good enough to marry their daughter.  When Lee announced his intention of marrying Mary Anne Cistis, her father objected because "Light Horse" Harry Lee had fallen on hard times financially.  Mary Ann Custis was Martha Washington's great granddaughter.

4.  Ulysses wasn't Grant's first name.  He was born Hiram Ulysses Grant in Point Pleasant, Ohio.  A mistake made on his application to West Point by the Congressman who nominated him resulted him being listed as Ulysses S. Grant.

--Old Secesh