Evening star., 1932-09-04

before they became Chief Executive or
while they were filling that high once
j or subsequent to leaving the Executive
Mansion
Gen Ulysses S. Grant when he came here at
the close of the Civil War moved into the house
now known as 2O5-7 1 street. NV, which was
presented to him by of his admirers.
Tiber Creek then flowed southwark little to
the east of North Capitol street, and the eleva-
ton upon which Grants home stood was still
known as Burch's Hill, because here stood, from
about 1911, the home of Capt Samuel Burch,
veteran of the War of 1872.
Capt Burch was one of the pioneer residents
of this section having obtained title to the land
from Benjamin Oden, the original proprietor,
and for many years after he moved here there
practically no improvements to be seen.
mo streets opened for travel, and it was toward
the middle of the century ere he had a
neighbor, if we except the Rodbird residence
north. and Bailey, Burr and others southeast,
from about $780," we are told
There were then number of forest trees sur
rounding the Burch home, which was stately
one for that period, and which for many years
afforded an unobstructed view for miles around.
Small game, toe, was plentiful in this vicinity
up to within 10 years Of the Civil War and the
sportsman with dog and gun was often richly
rewarded for his efforts.
Capt. Burch was for many years chief clerk
in the Office of clerk of the House of Representa-
tives, prominent as a commander of military
company which saw service in the War of 1872
and member of the City Council of 1915, 1916,
1917 1920 1925 and 1926, and was president OF
the Common Council in 1916, 1917, and 1920,
and held other local Offices.
Gen Grant occupied the street residence
from 1865 until he became President in 1862
and even after the Inauguration returned to
live there for about 10 days while the White
House was being ref1tted. When he left it. it
was sold to Gen. William T. Sherman, who
entertained there lavshly until he removed to
st. Louis in 1875. Later it became the home of
Matthew G. Emery, Washingtons last mayor,
and here his only surviving daughter, Mrs
William M. Hannay lives. 1t was built as
residence for Vice President John c. Breckin-
ridge but not completed until toward the close
of the Civil War.
A MOTHER residence occupied by Gen.
4 Grant, which probably used during
the Summer months before he became President,
is at 323S street, NV. 1t is colonial type
structure of pressed brick, but not as old as 1t
appears to be, having probably been erected
around the Civil War period. 1t stands just to
the east of the old Georgetown reservoir, which
until recently stood on the southeast corner Of
r street and Wisconsin Avenue, on command
ing site.
Wn1le Zen. henry W. HaLeck was COM
mander in chief of the Army, from 1862 to 1864,
this residence, then on North High road. since
changed to r. street, occupied his
home and he probably owned 1t during the
time 1t was occupied by Gen Grant, who, 1t
will be recalled succeeded Gen. Halleck when
he was made lieutenant general March 2, 1864.
Isaac Burch Of Georgetown, now IN his
seventy-ninth year said few days ago he re-
called quite clearly seeing both Gen. Haleck and
Gen Grant riding down Montgomery street (now
Twenty-eighth street, while he was attending
school in the old Methodist Episcopal Church,
then on Montgomery street between M and
streets.
Col John A. Joyce, the poet who claimed the
authorship-as did Ella Wheeler Wilcox-of
Laugh and the world laughs with you" later
lived in the Georgetown residence occu-
pied by Gen. Grant, and here Mrs. Joyce died.
The building is now owned by the widow Of
Admiral Rousseau.
Another building in this city. besides the
White House. which has an important oonnec-
tion with the life of Gen. Grant is at the SOUTH
west corner of Seventeenth and streets, NV,
now occupied by the National League of Women
Voters.
This building was evidently taken over by the
War Department during the Civil War, for it
early became the headquarters of Gen. Halleck,
and when Gen. Grant came here after the sur
render at Appomattox he also made this place
his headquarters 1t in writing to Gen.
Halleck. who was then occupying this building
as chief of staff of the Army that May IL,
1864, Gen. Grant coined that immortal phrase:
Il = propose to fight it out on this line
if it takes all Summer"
When Gen. Grant died. July 3d. 1885, The
Star refers to this building, saying:
Chief Engineer Snyder, the superintendent
of the State War and Navy Department, bor-
rowed flag from the War Department and had
Rigger Crowley place in position some halyards
for the old flag staff on the little building the
southwest ccIner Of 18th and streets, which
was at one time Gen. Grants headquarters, now
used by the clerks of the second auditors office
In few minutes a flag foated at halfmast