Thompson Played Grant - No Hero in South

Associated Press

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Fred Thompson has gotten a lot of mileage out of his movie and TV fame as he runs for the Republican presidential nomination. And on Tuesday, speaking at The Citadel military college, he made sure to mention one of his recent roles: president of the United States, in the movie "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee."

But that wasn't all good for someone campaigning in the South.

"Some people say I've got a little making up to do," he said. "The last role I played when I was in the movies - I played Ulysses S. Grant." That's the Northern Civil War general who went on to become president. But it could have been worse.

"I want to tell you, I drew the line at playing General Sherman," Thompson said, referring to the commander still reviled in much of the South for the damage his troops inflicted.

The history of The Citadel includes cadets firing on Fort Sumter at the start of the Civil War.

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