New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-09
MRS. JULI1 DENT GRANT.
Washington Correspondence syracuse Jo'r7'

Washington Correspondence Syracuse Journal
After Vicksburg had been overcome, a small, di-
lapidatcd house was found, ana lew 0dd DIS ol
furniture were gathered, and Mrs. Grant began IN
small way To keep house, hoping the General might
now enjoy much-ncrird rest In q few days an
order came from President Lincoln, directing Grant
to rrpaT nj once to Richmond. Some women would
have cravcd time TO make ready: not 50 orr heroic
lady: and directly her trunks were packed, and as
thrv started she remarked to Il friend, 81 knew
the General would have 10 take Rchmond; and nc
will do if" No sooner was y town taken and the
news had reached Mrs. Grant III hcr retreat. man
She would appeal to the STAFF officers 10 procure some
mode of conveyance; and, without needing tlclr
warnings of possible danger, this intrepid woman
would press forward and ere her husband couid
he aware of her presence the officers were already
in nucst of lodgings for his wife and children.
Rut Though endowed with such fOrtltudc and sell
noise Mrs Grant WIS uniailingly gentle and unoh-
f1usivc and ady-ko. The star officers. into whose
companionsmp she was constantly thrown, eyer
remember her kindness and hcncvolcncc with the
waunrst respect and admiration. .o
The war being over. Mrs. Grant was gTatihcd
when the General was made c"mmandcr-nl-clmr .i i.
It was but a just recognition ol ms services: Int
to see him President she had no ambition. When
the nations choice WIS known, however, she SAID
"Though it is contrary to my wishes yet mean to
do all the good cam . -.
She was not consequential, neither did she boast
of her ancestry She was gentle, unassumlng,
kind hearted woman. Defective cycslght rendered
if difficult for her to recognize even her own chilli
rem II raised at least thin veil, slight ohStrur-
subject of playful jokes For instance, gent lcnan
passing along in the procession on reception day
carried a moment to talk with the lady receiving;
and she asked how long he had been IN the city
iftcr . little chatting. he told her his name was
Briefow-a member OF thc Cabinet who daily called.
But this iniinnity was Joke to MIS-: Grant. II
one way and another an unraSonlng prejudice
against the mistress of the White House. Stories OF
lack of a!tlhility set atoat, and taken mp by
persons who would not usually. 30 so vulgar ana
cruel thing as to dcride an iutiTmlty. ioSSbly
the frequent ungracious cominent5 all OF winch ShG
krcnly felt, may have chilled her truly genial
nature or AT least have induced q cautious reserve
toward strangers Her good sense WIS seen IN hGr
1atirucc uudcr the gOading of sharp pens. WhCtcd.
beyond question, by partisan rancor III reference
to this no rcscntlul words ever reached the punhc
ear She maintained uniform aiicnrG respecting
her husbands concerns. Though she kept herself
Informed of passing polit zeal events yet She never
mtcrineddlrd in state affairs .....,;. ;.,,,,,,..
10 do good with her not SpaSmndIc impulse,
it was her daily employ. She ScaTrhrI "nI
misery and in practical way set about renewing
the same Money she bestowed with dlscIIhlllla-
finn vet with liberal hand. What Size gave away
would nave swcrd 10 Il handsome bank account:
An intimate friend Of Mr.. Grant said ol her; " l
nate person un her mind who must be- helped; S0ino
poor girl who H,ISt haN" employ. or some willow
quiet was her method OF brncvolchce thai II was
moi generally kuoW1L' .
After Mrs. Grant rose To icight mat Wout
have Lazc3 Wo!naH of less ~ri'Sn ana STABILITY, Il
lady called cHrly on, incoming. G'~rIu" to see tn
President and at the Goor S"od grnl,inan' ana
as the two sent IN their caInS PLAIN l"okh@ man,
Ii, had written. One OF your soldiers. soon the
voice Of Mrs Grant WAS heard directing tn" scr
want: Request the lady to br seated i'm the paror
show the gentleman INTO tEc office. anu ln|llc ire
soldier to COME right up 10 sec the Pn silcnt. 80
long the family remained III Washington. Mrs
Grant never failrd to 20 or Decoration Day pro-
yidcd with an ample supply OF flowers which with
her own hands and N"llirs as,istance she trndgrY
strpWcd over the ashes Of uur fallen braves. h0
few old servants remaining in the White House
fondy cherish the memory Of Mrs. Grant and the
happy days they enjoyed " hr under her employ.
Mrs Grants education was fully up io the stand
ard of the time in Missouri, where she was reared.
Her father was Methodist preacher IN gooE CIR
rIr,nsfanccs residing on Il farm. Mrs. Grant her
sell made no pIctcnsions to being intellectual Her
transparent simplicity. seen in her absolute UNI
chaugcablcness is phenomenal.
At one time. many years since, 50 1t Is stated, the
fortunes of the Grant family were at low cb5. and
Mrs Dent MrS..Grauts mother, dcvOut Methodist.
doubtless having fSOmr SUcitudc, dreamed q
dream from which she derived much consolation.
1t was revealed to her. 50 seemed that Lieutenant
Grant was to become highly useful and that Inc was
TO be honoled as no man had before been honorcd.