Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant; (Two Volumes) by Grant, Ulysses S - 1885

New York: Charles L. Webster, 1885. First Edition. Tan calf with a red label on spine for title and black label for volume with thin gilt bands, leather appropriately treated with Kugel-G. Red marbled endpapers with Vol II having four small round spots of stripped card holder. G+ to VG/not issued. 5.75" x 9" 8vo. Vol. I frontispiece of Grant as a young 2LT (A. H. Ritchie Daguerreotype, 1843), pp. 8-584 with 2 facsimiles and 15 maps. Vol. II frontispiece of Grant as LTG (Wm. E. Marshall steel engraving), pp. 10-647 with 1 facsimile and 28 maps. Both volumes are in very good condition, still well bound, clean minus stamps, all facsimiles are fine and neatly folded in, all edges marbled. Both volumes have a stamp on blank ffe of "Chas. F. Branch / Physician and Surgeon / Coventry, VT. Vol. I has Branch's name written in ink on inside edge of rear cover, scuffing at edges and spine. Vol. II additionally has a stamp on ffe from Edward Little High School in Auburn, ME, scuffing and spotting similar to Vol I and 1/4" early separation at top of spine. All engravings with tissue page protection are also fine. Both facsimiles in place and in fine condition with the facsimile of Lee's surrender terms printed on yellow paper, just as the original was, with two closed tears (~1") at the bottom from un-careful unfolding. The calf volumes are less common than the green cloth, all combine to make this an attractive addition to any presidential library shelf. The story is often repeated of how a destitute Grant decided to care for his family by publishing these memoirs. He died five days after completing them and five months before Vol. I was published. His widowed wife, Julia Grant, received the largest royalty check of the 1800's. The real story of this book is that of the original owner. Charles Franklin Branch (1845-1907) born in Newport VT, he was eager to participate in the stirring events of the times. He enlisted in Co. C., 9th Vt. Vols., and was successively promoted from private through the grades of Major. He attained this rank due to his conspicuous conduct at the capture of Richmond. In the early years of the war his regiment was captured at Harper's Ferry and paroled the next day. Branch was wounded twice during the war. He became one of the leading physicians amongst his peers. His roles included the U. S. pension examiner for several years, also professor of state university for medicine and hygiene. He quickly rose to become surgeon-general of Vermont in 1886-'88. Branch was an esteemed leader for many civic and professional organizations as well as the medical examiner for nine prominent life insurance companies. His keen interest in education was manifest as the superintendent of schools in Coventry, Vt for almost 20 years. Though he could have easily been elected to most any political office, he never showed an interest. Renown as a most brilliant speaker on the Civil War, he was always in demand as a Memorial Day orator. A hero in war and a hero in peace - Despite all of his accolade's, Branch's humility shows through in his name stamp; Physician and Surgeon. "General Lee was dressed in a full uniform which was entirely new, and was wearing a sword of considerable value, very likely the sword which had been presented by the State of Virginia; at all events, it was an entirely different sword from the one that would ordinarily be worn in the field. In my rough traveling suit, the uniform of a private with the straps of a lieutenant general, I must have contrasted very strangely with a man so handsomely dressed, six feet high and of faultless form. But this was not a matter that I thought of until afterwards." (Vol II p 490).