Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-28


MRS. TRUETT showed the writer through
the old home and it was indeed interest
ing. Everywhere there were to be seen old
furniture and bric-a-brac dating back to the
Civil War and even before that time. Even the
old piano was stiIl there that came into the
house the day she was born, and most beau
tiful bedstead of solid bird's-eye maple that
was made years ago in the VanDerwerken fac
tory in Georgetown on paintings were TO be
seen on the walls. made by the same artist
who painted portraits and scenes on the omni-
buses OF the VanDerwerken line. In one of
the bedrooms was old chair her father used
to recline in. and in another the old bed in
which her father and mother slept. In the
dining room was an unusually large table of
early manufacture, around which could be
seated 20 guests, indicating that the host was
amply prepared for the entertainment of his
many friends.
On one of the cupboard doors in the dining
room was carved in large letters the word:
Hospitol" as reminder of Civil War days,
when the old residence was used as hospital.
There was so much to remember about this
old place that the writer prevailed upon Mrs.
TrJlett to write it out for him, and what fol-
lows IS substantially her personal recollection
of the place:
THE VanDerwetken house was used for a
hospital for four years during the Civil War.
Gen. Hancock told Mr. VanDerwerken il he
would let him occupy this house he would
preserve all his premises for him. so Mr. Van~
Derwerken moved TO Georgetown and remained
there until the war closed. Gen. Hancock had
his headquarters in the old shop back of the
residence. When the report came out Lincoln
had been aSSasSinated, a search was made
by officers for the assassin not only through
our house but all houses in the neighborhood.
The assassin was not found In the vicinity,
but later in barn owned by Mr. Garrett
father OF Dr. Robert Browning Garrett Upon
one occasion. just before the war ended, when
the family was having company. the house
being unusually lighted up, three soldiers forced
themselves in and accused US of signaling to
the enemy, until We finally convinced them
otherwise
In I849 my father had several six-horse
wagons used in bringing manure to the farm
from his stables and in which was returned
and sold to the men employed in the city
timber that was cut in clearing the woods for
cuItiyating the land-
"a FTER the war was over. father had the
house fixed SO he could reside there again,
Is it was in very bad condition, the walls and
woodwork being badly mutiIated by the SOL
diers who had amused themselves by cutting
their names in the woodwork, some of which
could never be erased, for instance the name
Pat Murray Years after, when we heard
any unaccountabIe noises, we would settle it
by saying 1t was only Pat Murray Although
Ethan Allen, Marcy and others, remained in
tact for some time.
During hostilities from these forts compa-
MES of soldiers were sent out each day to guard
the country and homes of the people for miles
around. They were exciting times We were
not allowed to 60 outside our own gates with
out pass given and signed by the provost
marshal, which was an oath swearing allegiance
to the Union. II by accident we were pre-
vented from getting home before SHUTDOWN after
the counterSign had been given out. we were
not allowed to go through the lines but were
conveyed to the forts by guards, and given
the countersign through favor and friendship
of superior officers
The Van Derwerken home was a great rem
devious for all the officers, who were often
Hospitality entertained, and in turn they showed
their appreciation by coming from the forts
with their bands of music, which gave us much
pleasure; also giving us their war experiences,
which were very entertaining. Two gallant
officers, a captain and lieutenant, who were
frequent visitors could not resist Cupid's darts
and became members of the Van Derwerken
family by casting in their lots with two of Mr.
Van Derwerken's fair daughters.
when the Union soldiers celebrated their
hftieth anniversary some years ago In WASH
tngton, the bugler of the band came out to
see the Van Derwerken home where he had
played for Mr.. Van Derwerken, when he was
only ID years of age, and delighted to find
so few changes. He even saw the tree he some
times stood under and the table in the house
upon which the players rested their instru-
ments IN between numbers
SSMANY amusing little incidents would occur
from time to time One night guard
who was keeping his yigils saw a figure APP
preaching him. He called quick halt, which
was ignored, and he was about to fire when
good-sized calf doomed up in the darkness.
The guard told the Joke on himself next morn