Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-28
Military Heroes Who Have Been
Remembered by the People.
HOMES FOR THEIR FAMILIES
The Houses Presented to Generals
Grant, Sherman and Sheridan.
TO REWARD GENERAL MILES

Republics may be ungrateful, but the
same cannot truthfully be said Of their cit
liens. When the rebellion was eventually
suppressed, the entire Union arose I'm a
spontaneous outburst Of gratitude to the
soldiers who had contributed to that re-
suit. Grant. Sherman and Sheridan were
the military heroes of the time, and the
people thought nothing too good for them.
Soon after the surrender of the confed-
crate forces at ApDomattoN. in April, 1866,
Gen. Grant, then comnander-in-chief of the
army, established his headquarters at
Washington, and took up his residence in
Douglass low. on the north side of I street
between I'd and Sd streets, at that time a
much more fashionable quarter of TIE
city than it is at present. The house was
formerly the residence Of the distinguished
gentleman after whom the row was named.
1t was a large, square brick structure, and
at that period was one Of the finest dwell
ing houses in the city. During the war IL
was used as government hospital, and
was known as the Douglass Hospital.
1t was presented to Gen. Grant in fee
simple, completely and elegantly furnished
throughout by a number of public-spirited
citizens, chief among whom was Mr. \. Il.
Stewart, at that time the dry goods king
OF New York, who quickly raised the sum
CT SlUo.G0 by popular subscription TO make
the purchase and provide the necessary
outfit. Gen. Grant ard his family occupied
this house from 1865 until his inauguration
as President in March, 1863. made it neces-
sary for them to change their place OF res
idence to the White House.
Bought for Gen. Sherman.
Gen. Sherman then succeeded to the COM
mand OF the army, and 1t became neces-
sa,y for him to take up his residence here.
The occasion was improved by his grateful
done for Gen. Grant. A popular subscr.p-
ton was opened to buy him a home. A
sum aggrega+ing nearly sloo,O00 was raised
III few weeks, some of the largest con-
tributions coming from those who had pre-
Viously subscribed to the Grant fund. A
committee was appointed to Select a resi-
dence, and they unanimously agreed upon
the property that had been previously
decided to Gen. Grant. Overtures We're
made for its purchase from Gen. Grant at
his own valuation. He fixed a price en-
trely satisfactory to the committee, and
the bargain was closed without unneces-
sary delay. The purchase included every
thing about the premises, with the excep-
ton of fire library, consisting of several
hundred valuable works, which had been
presented to Gen. Grant by the citizens of
Boston.
The house was too large for the family
OF Gen. Sherman, and he had il remodeied
into two dwellings. one Of which he occu-
pied himself and the other of which ne
rented to his personal friend, Gen. Giles
Smith. Gen. Sherman made this house his
home for about three years. During this
tine a serious difference of opinion arose
between himself and Gen Belknap, Secre-
t&ry of War, as to his rights and duties as
commander-!n-chief of the army, the result
of which was the transfer of the head
quarters of the army to St Louis.
A st. Louis Home.
The residents OF that city had great ad-
m; fiHy, for, he <,r% 81
sea, and they signalized his advent among
them by presenting him with a fine resi-
dence on Garrison avenue in the best part
of the city. His residence in Washington
was purchased at that time by it's present
occupant, eX-Mayor Matthew G.. Emery.
Not long after his incumbency of the
Office of President, Gen. Grant was present
ed with an elegant cottage at Long Branch
not far from the cottage at Eiberon. where
President Garfield died several years after
L his property was also the gift of citizens
most Of them residents of Philadelphia.
Mr.. George w. Childs and Mr.. DreXel, the
tanker, were the principal contributors to
this fund.
Gen. Shcridan's Home.
Gen. Sheridans former home in Washing
ton is che Of the landmarks OF the city. 1t
stands on a terrace on the north side Of
Rhode Island avenue at The corner of 18th
street. He took possession of it with his
charming family when he came here to as
sune command of the army. on the retire.
ment of Gen. Sherman, November ], 1888,
and occupied it continuously until just be-
fore MS death, in August, lSSS. 1t is
ire house of comparatively modern con-
s;ruction, and was previously owned and
occupied by Judge Adds 1t was pur-
chased and presented to Gen. Sheridan by
tNenty-four of his admirers in Chicago,
each Of whom subscribed 81 1000 for the pur-
, The chief ba
ment were Messrs. Samuel johnson, Arson
Stager, George StufSis, j. Il. Fisher, f. S.
Phelps and George NJ. Pullman. They
came here prior TO Gen. Sheridan's arrival
and secured an option on the house from
Judge Adds on $4,000 basis. Returning
TO Chicago they reported what they had
done and the amount necessary was raised
in single day, with an excess of 81 coo for
incidentals. The bargain was clinched, and
when Gen. Sheridan reported in this city
for duty, he was HANDED a deed to the
property made out in his name He was
completely taken aback, as the entire
transaction had been conducted quietly and
without his knowledge, and it was some
time before he was able to make suitable
acknowledgements.
History shows that popular recognition of
great military services has usually mani
tested itself in the donation of places of
residence. "Strathtield'' vas donated to the
Duke of Wellington. and "Rlenheim" to the
Duke OF Marlborough on account of their
ample seems to have been followed in this
country. With this important difference
however: The special gifts to the British
heroes were made by act of parliament
while these awarded 10 the three military
heroes OF the war Of the rebellion were The
voluntary contributions of the citizens of
the republic. The popular movements which
resulted in the gifts of residences to Gem
erals Grant. Sherman and Sheridan had
their inspiration in the fact that they had
staked all their interests in the preserva ton
of the Union, and We're individually too moor
at the close of the great struggle to nur-
chase homes for their families
Gen. Hnnc0c!s's Widow Cared For.
Another instance of this kind of popular
recognition of the services of another hero
of the war is afforded in the case of Gen
Hancock. He left his widow in compa-a
lively poor circumstances, and no sooner
was this fact known than his friends Quiet
ly raised fund and purchased for her q
fine piece of improved property on r street
at the corner of 21st street, in this CRY
thereby enabling her to pass her last days
in ease and comfort, and without WORRY for
the future. Since her death, a few wears
ago, this house has been successiyelv oc-
cupied by Assistant Secretary Doe of the
War Department and other tenants.