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Foundation raising funds for Mo. trail tracing Grant's Civil War path

Ulysses S. Grant
(via Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Library of Congress)
In this photograph taken in the spring of 1865, Ulysses S. Grant is seen wearing a black mourning band around his left arm in remembrance of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, which occurred five days after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.

Missouri's Civil War Heritage Foundation is trying to raise money for a driving trail exploring Ulysses S. Grant's path through the state in the first year of the Civil War.

The group is hosting a fundraising dinner next Wednesday at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

Foundation president Gregory Wolk says they're working on a segment of the Grant Trail in St. Louis County and in talks with other counties about future projects. 

"The overall goal is to try to map out a trail that will allow visitors to follow his entire progress during the first year of the Civil War," Wolk said. "That is going to take some time."

Wolk says Grant spent time in Mexico, Mo., Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Ironton and Cape Girardeau in 1861.

The event Wednesday will include re-enactors portraying Grant and his wife Julia.

The three-course dinner will be based on an 1857 menu from the famous Planter's House Hotel that once stood in St. Louis.

To make reservations, contact 314-539-4470.

Maria is the newscast, business and education editor for St. Louis Public Radio.