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Ulysses S. Grant Quiz Challenge - How Much Do You Know? | U.S. Presidents

How much do you know about Grant - the general, the president and the man?

A multiple-choice quiz by garvol. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
garvol

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
208,285

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
686

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was Ulysses Grant's occupation when the American Civil War broke out? Hint

Clerk

Railroad engineer

Whiskey distiller

Cigar roller

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Question 2 of 10

2. Grant has the distinction of having changed his name. What was the name on his birth certificate? Hint

Robert Ulysses

Herbert Ulysses

Hiram Ulysses

William Ulysses

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the name of Grant's wife? Hint

Glenora Dent

Mary Dent

Julia Dent

Abigail Dent

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which state regiment was the first to give Grant a military command? Hint

Ohio

Iowa

Indiana

Illinois

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Question 5 of 10

5. Where was Grant's first attack in Tennessee? Hint

Chickasaw Bluff

Fort Donelson

Fort Henry

Nashville

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the primary objective in Tennessee of both the Confederate and Union armies before the Battle of Shiloh? Hint

Manassas

Corinth, Mississippi

Pittsburgh Landing

Mississippi River

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who led the Confederacy at Shiloh? Hint

A. S. Johnston

H.K Hallett

Joseph Johnston

Robert E. Lee

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Question 8 of 10

8. Many historians regard this as the biggest weakness of Ulysses S. Grant. Which? Hint

Womanizing

Defensive fighting

Inept military plans

Whiskey

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Question 9 of 10

9. What town was put under siege in Mississippi by Grant's troops? Hint

Jackson

Vicksburg

Starkville

Biloxi

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Question 10 of 10

10. Grant was the first general of this rank in the Army of the Potomac. Which? Hint

3 star

4 star

5 star

2 star

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was Ulysses Grant's occupation when the American Civil War broke out?

Answer: Clerk

Ulysses was working in a leather store in Sacketts Harbor, Ohio. He was making $800 dollars a year at this job.

2. Grant has the distinction of having changed his name. What was the name on his birth certificate?

Answer: Hiram Ulysses

"Hiram" did not like the potential of being teased over his initials HUG. He changed his name to Ulysses Hiram Grant. When he got to West Point, the army had made the mistake of recording it at 'Ulysses Simpson'. He would not have been accepted, had he altered the papers, so he decided to keep the name. Moreover, his new name looked so very patriotic, too!

3. What was the name of Grant's wife?

Answer: Julia Dent

Julia Dent married the soon-to-be general and president. His wife's family owned slaves. Ulysses and his wife were invited to be with President Lincoln the night of the assassination, but at about noon Julia asked Ulysses to refuse the invitation.

4. Which state regiment was the first to give Grant a military command?

Answer: Illinois

He was from the 21st regiment from Illinois. He would be promoted to Brigadier-General, and soon would turn into one of the most famous generals in the history of the United States.

5. Where was Grant's first attack in Tennessee?

Answer: Fort Henry

Grant took Fort Henry easily. Fort Donelson was another story. This is where he came up with the term "Unconditional Surrender", which became one of his nicknames and also part of his legacy. The battles in the western part of Tennessee gave him momentum going into the battle of Shiloh. This led to his promotion to the Virginia theater of the war.

6. What was the primary objective in Tennessee of both the Confederate and Union armies before the Battle of Shiloh?

Answer: Corinth, Mississippi

Corinth, Mississippi was a railroad station junction with a north-south and east-west line. It was a vital target for both armies in the hunt for supplies.

7. Who led the Confederacy at Shiloh?

Answer: A. S. Johnston

A. S. Johnston was shot and killed in the battle. Even though there was more Confederate casualties, the south would give up the land at Shiloh Church in West Tennessee and finally Corinth, Mississippi. The death of Johnston was the turning point of the battle.

8. Many historians regard this as the biggest weakness of Ulysses S. Grant. Which?

Answer: Whiskey

Whiskey was his weakness. Lincoln did not approve of this bad habit. When Lincoln heard about it he reportedly said, "Find out what brand so I can give it to the rest of my Generals".

9. What town was put under siege in Mississippi by Grant's troops?

Answer: Vicksburg

This was to gain control of the Mississippi River, and took place between May and July 1863. This was at the same time that Gettysburg was being fought and the Emancipation Proclamation declared. In the following year (March 1864), Lincoln appointed Grant as the General of the United States Army.

10. Grant was the first general of this rank in the Army of the Potomac. Which?

Answer: 4 star

In 1865, Grant became the first 4-star general. George Washington had previously became a 3-star general. It was the highest rank achieved in the American army at the time.

Source: Author garvol

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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