The U.S. in U.S. Grant

Thanks to Scott Mackenzie for sending along the following notice from the New York Times, which was published on July 19, 1863.

At a torchlight procession in Belleville, Illinois, last week, one of the transparencies contained the following:

Major-Genernl U. S. Grant.

Unconditional Surrender Grant, Uncle Sam Grant, United States Grant, Unparalleled Success Grant, Unabridged Seizure Grant, Union-Saver Grant, Uudenlably Superior Grant. Uuflinching Surmounter Grant, Undaunted Soldier Grant, Understanding Secession Grant, Use Sambo Grant, Unshackle Slave Grant, Ultimate Subjugation Grant, Uncommon Smart Grant, Unequaled Smasher Grant, Utterly Solid Grant, Utmost Safety Grant, Unrivaled System Grant, Unexceptionable Scientific Grant, Undertake Sure Grant, Unbounded Spunk Grant, Universal Sanative Grant, Unadulterated Saltpetre Grant, Uniform Succeeder Grant, Undisputed Sagacity Grant, Unabated Siege Grant, Unbending Superexcellence Grant, Unexampled Skill Grant, Undoubtedly Spunky Grant, Usually Sober Grant, Unprecedented Sardine Grant.

Go in, U.S. — I see it now !

HEMINGER, SEN.

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2 comments… add one
  • Keith Harris Feb 9, 2012 @ 20:03

    Unconditional Surrender. Love it.

  • Scott A. MacKenzie Feb 9, 2012 @ 13:25

    You’re welcome. I came across this during my thesis research in 2006. I saw it the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, the main source for all things West Virginia in this period. The synonyms stuck with me, particularly “Union Saver Grant.” My favorites are that, “Understanding Secession,” and “Unshackle Slave.” “Usually Sober Grant” seems to me to be a rejoinder to those who criticized his intemperance. “Use Sambo” is both racially insensitive and yet clearly in tune with those who sought to recruit African Americans to put the rebellion down. But where on earth did they get “Unprecedented Sardine”??? 🙂

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