Evening star., 1932-09-04

and the Bureau Of Military Justice, where
Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt, who
prosecuted the against the Lincoln con-
Sprators had his Offices.
This building which was erected in 1847 by
Gen. w. M. Winder, who was made the goat
in the BladenSburg debacle of 1914 was pur-
chased by the Government in 1854, as inferred
by an item appearing in The Star of Septem-
Der 2 1854 which says:
Capt. A. H. Bowman and Capt. B. S. Alex
ander of the United States Corps of Engineers
and William Wilson of this city, an experienced
constructor, have united in a report to the
Secretary of War, giving the estimated value
of the Winder Building and grounds on Seven
teenth street, opposite the War Department, as
approximately $4,000. 1t will be recalled
that Congress at the last session passed act
authorizing the Secretary of War to purchase
this building which is owned by w. M. Winder,
ESQ.,. provided the cost did not exceed $500, 900.
For several years the Government has been
paying an annual rental of $4,000 for this
building. Recently the Secretary of War Sc
lected Capts. Bowman and Alexander and Mr..
Wilson as commissioners to examine the build
ing and report its value. Capt Bowman Is
reported to be one of the most scientific judi
cious and practical officers of the corps to
which he is attached and his brother officer
is also regarded capable and discriminating
in the discharge of any duty assigned to him.
These gentlemen, under the authority vested
In them, proceeded few days ago to examine
the Winder Building, the grounds and the
appurtenances. The Union today describes
their work as follows:
We learn that the examination was most
thorough one. They commenced at the base
ment of the house, examined the walls and the
floors, went into every room and even assembled
to the roof, each member of the commission
taking notes as they proceeded
After they had finished the Investigation
they met in a room which had been assigned
to them. Here it was proposed by one of them
hot 1aIi IL
that each one alone might make his calcula-
tions and report the next day, which was
agreed to.
Upon reassembling the next day the re-
spective estimates we're presented, and what is
very remarkable, the difference in their est1-
mates for the building and grounds did not
amount to more than 81 500"
ONE of Gen. Grants closets friends was
~ Gen. E. F. Beale who occupied the Old
Decatur house at the southwest corner Of
jackson place and H street. and here Gen
and Mrs. Grant usually stopped when visiting
the city after they left the White House
This is one Of the most important houses re-
manning on Lafayette Square. 1t was built py
Commodore Stephen Decatur in 1919 the archi-
tect being Latrobe. and it was here he died In
1920 following his duel at Badensburg with
Commodore Barron. It was Decatur who was
author of the famous toast Our countryl
In her intercourse with foreign nations may
she always be in the right; but our country,
right or wrong"
After Decaturs death the home was leased
to Baron Tuyl, the Minister of Russia, who
left Washington early in 1925. Henry Clay
Martin Van Buren and Edward Livingston
followed in order, when it again became the
home Of foreign ministers, Sir Charles Vaughan
and Baron Hyde de Neuville. In 1886 it was
sold to John Gadsby for $12 O00 and was subse-
nlentiy hv Col Hpl,1
George M Dallas and Judah p. Benjamin.
At the close of the Civil War it was purchased
by Gen. Beale and is now owned and occupied
by his son, Truxtun Beale
Gen. Grant was much beloved by the people
of the District of Columbia who knew him
intimately, or with whom he casually came in
contact, for although great commander, yet he
was sympathetic and kind, and even gained the
respect of the leaders of the lost cause for his
generous terms in the articles of surrender and
for his subsequent attitude. Indeed had he
succeeded to the presidency upon the death
Of Lincoln, instead of Andrew johnson, there
is every reason to believe that the South would
have Jared much better than it did
CEVERAL months before Gen. Grant died,
- and when his condition was so grave that
the end was expected most any minute, the
correspondent of the Boston Globe at New
Orleans, sought to draw from the former Presi-
dent Of the Confederate States his estimate of
Gen. Grants military career, and instead of
receiving, as he may have expected, sharp
criticism of the Northern chieftain he received
in reply kindly tribute to the man who had
done so much toward bringing back into the
Union the seeding States. This is what Mr..
Davis wrote:
Sir: Your letter asking to give my views
on the subject of Gen. Grants military career
has been received With most respectful con-
sderation for you and the influential paper
you represent, must decline to comply with
the request for the following reasons: Gen.
Grant is reported dying. Although he invaded
our country with ruthless track, it was with
open hand, and, far I know, he abetted