Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-21
MODEL WIFE AND MOTHER
Life Story Of a st. Louis Girl Who Became
Mistress Of the White House.
STIRRING TIMES IN WAR AND PEACE
Mrs. Julia Dent Grants Experiences in
the Civil War Campaigning with
the General-An Instruc-
tvs Life History.

Probably no woman living had the knowl-
edge of war and the intimate acquaintance
with its details that Mrs. Julia Dent Grant
possessed, relates the St. Louis Globe
Democrat. She was born on the frontier
for such was Missouri, even in the vicinity
OF st. Louis, In 1926. "Whitehaven," the
country home of Colonel F. Dent, who was
q typical southern plantation owner, was
not far from st. Louis. There Julia Dent
was born, and, as a child, she early be-
came familiar with the Indians and the
thrilling events incident to life amidst the
scenes of those trying days. The proximity
OF her home to Jefferson barracks, which,
in those days, was the principal army post
in the west. brought Miss Dent into COM
,paratively close contact with military life.
Later, after her marriage with Lieutenant
Grant, she followed him through the Mex
ican and civil wars, receiving a letter al
most daily from her husband when absent
from his side. Many times during the war
OF the rebellion Mrs. Grant was at the
front with the general. Throughout his
career General Grants closest conhdant was
his wife, who was kept closely informed
OF everything that was being done and all
in contemplation. She entered heartily into
all the plans Of the general and knew.
many times before even the member OF his
stan. what movements were to be made.
Speaking Of her army experience, Mrs.
Grant. In an interview given some time
ago. said: II was never very far away
from headquarters and always kept myself
Informed OF the movements Of the army.
My husband wrote 20 me almost daily, and
when l was with him would speak Of his
campaign. I was. from my FIRST acquaint-
anee with Mr.. Grant, surrounded by a mill
tary atmosphere. l had letters from Lieu
tenant Grant, TO whom l was engaged, after
all the battles Of Palo Alto. Reseca de la
Palma. Monterey. Buena Vista. Vera Cruz
and Scott and Taylor's advance on the City
OF Mexico, with its battles OF Contreras,
Cherubusco. Moline del Rey. the stormins
OF Chapultepee and the surrender of Mex
ico- General Grant always spoke OF MolinO
del Rey and Chapultepec with the deepest
interest. Notwithstanding the many other
battles in which he took part. He was the
nrst to get into Moline and at chapultepeC
scaled the castle TO the roof with a few
men. where they captured a number o.
Mexican officers.
Campaigning Around VickEbuFs.
AFTER the war Lieutenant Grant cam,
to see me just as soon as he could get away
We were married in ls4s, and my son Free
was born in 1850.
During thA Vicksburg campaign l re
mained at Cairo. but in the land movemen
OF the previous autumn, 1852, ! was a
Jackson. Tenn. and Holly Springs. and thel
at Oxford. Miss. ! also remained at tn,
generals headquarters at City Point.
II had an experience In the eampaigl
after Corinth When the generals head
quarters we're transferred from Jackson 4
Holly Springs. Miss. / went to the latte
place. / remained at Holly Springs Will
General Grant. with his army, had pro
oeeded as far as oxford. Miss. II was earl
IN December. 1854. The confederate cavalr
had been lowering about us for some time