Presidential Visits to Antietam Battlefield-- Part 3: U.S. Grant

The next president to visit the battlefield was former Army Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Grant.  He had been with Johnson in 1867 but apparently had not seen enough so he returned two years later.

He toured the battlefield on October 15, 1869 with his good friend and right hand man, William Tecumseh Sherman.  One could have just imagined their conversation that day.:  "Had I been commanding here, Cump, , I would have pitched right in."

After that, presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland  or Harrison did not visit.  Then, of course, in this case President William McKinley.  Only his was not a first-time visit.  He had been there as a soldier during the battle.

--Old Secesh