Dr. Curt Fields will portray Gen. Grant on April 9, when the National Park Service commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War.
Five years ago, Dr. Fields noticed that he had the same stature and general appearance as Union general Ulysses S. Grant. The adjunct sociology professor at the University of Memphis grew a beard, bought a uniform and embarked on an epic journey of living history reenactments.
As the country has commemorated the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War on battlefields throughout the South, Dr. Fields has closely followed Grant's day to day life. The National Park Service selected him to be the face of Gen. Grant at the 150th Anniversary ceremony on April 9.
While Dr. Fields strives for historical accuracy, some things don't come naturally. He doesn't like cigars, though he occasionally lights them up for the cameras. His equestrian skills are good enough to pose for the crowds; he won't be jumping split-rail fences.
Dr. Fields has no plans to stop portraying Ulysses S. Grant. After all, in the years following his fateful meeting with Robert E. Lee in Appomattox Courthouse, the General would become the President, and the face of the 50-dollar bill.
Dr. Fields says there's still a lot more history to portray.
