U.S. Grant [Mourning Ribbon]
Bismarck, Dakota Territory: Bismarck, Dakota, 1885. Presumed one of multiple original issued. Ribbon. Format is approximately 2.5 inches by 6 inches. This is a period black memorial ribbon commemorating the death of civil war icon and 18th President of the United States, General Ulysses S. Grant. It is a black satin ribbon which originally had a cartes de visite style photograph applied to the surface. This image has worn away. Written in silver is the inscription: Bismarck, Dakota. IN MEMORIAM GENERAL U. S. GRANT Born, April 27, 1822. Died July 23, 1885. It has a tear between the In Memoriam and the space where Grant's image had been. The top is frayed and it appears that a portion of the bottom has been lost. The funeral of Ulysses S. Grant was held on August 8, 1885 in New York City, Grant’s funeral procession surpassed any public demonstration in the country up until that time, with an attendance of 1.5 million people, and additional ceremonies held in other major cities and communities. The day was described as a final, triumphant end to the national drama begun by the Civil War, as well as a day to praise Grant’s role in preserving the Union. A newspaper editorial proclaimed that Grant’s life did not need to be remembered in sculpture, pictures, prose, or poetry because “the union is his monument.” The theme of unity was advanced by President Cleveland when he appointed former Confederate Generals Joseph Johnston and Simon B. Buckner to join Union Generals William T. Sherman and Philip H. Sheridan as pallbearers. More