Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-08-05
Gilbert Van Derwerken
Originator of Omnibus Line Had Home
Used by Union Troops in Civil War
By John CIoeett Proctor

~AS ANOAA
brought and so he opened the
large stone quarries on his estate,
on the Virginia side of the Poto-
mac River near the Chain Bridge
and from them supplied much
material for various public and
private city improvements and en-
terprises. He left a widow, and
three married daughters: Mrs. A.
B. Grunwell of Georgetown, D. c.;
Mrs. T. B. Jewell of Kansas City,
Mo-, and Mrs. George E. Tfuett Of
Lynchburg, Va"
Historic Old Home
Mrs. Truett showed the writer
through the old home, and it was
indeed interesting. Everywhere
there were to be seen old furniture
and bric-a-brac dating back to the
Civil War and even before that
time.
In the dining room was an UNI
usually large table of early man.
ufacture. 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: Hospital"
as a reminder of Civil War days,
when the old residence was used
as hospital.
The writer prevailed upon Mrs.
Truett to write for him some of
her personal recollections of the
place, part of which follows:
THE Van Derwerken house was
used for a hospital for four years
during the Civil War. Gen Han
cock told Mr.. Van Derwerken if
he would let him occupy this
house he would preserve all the
premises for him, so Mr.. Van Der
werken moved to Georgetown and
manned there until the war closed.
Gen Hancock had his headquar-
tiers 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 neigh
borhood. The assassin was not
found in the vicinity, but later in
"a barn owned by Mr.. Garrett,
father of DR.. Robert Browning
Garrett. On 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 con-
WINGED them otherwise.
Names Carved on Woodwork
after the war was over, father
had the house fixed so he could
reside there again, as it was in
very bad condition, and the walls
and woodwork being badly mutt
lated by the soldiers 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 unaccountable noises,
we would settle it by saying: Tt
was only Pat Murray Although
the war was over in a sense, yet
all the forts, Ethan Allen, Marcy
and others, remained intact for
some time.
+ During hostilities from these
forts companies of soldiers were
sent out each day to guard the
country and homes of the people
for miles around. They were excit-
ing times. We were not allowed to
go outside Cur own gates without
"a pass given and signed by the
provost marshal, which was an
oath swearing allegiance to the
Union. If by accident we were
prevented from getting home be-
fore shutdown, after the counter
sign had been given out, We wers
not allowed to go through the
lines but were conveyed to the
forts by guards.
THE Van Derwerken home was
great rendezvous for all the of
ficers, who were often Hospitality
entertained, and in turn they
showed their appreciation by COM
ing 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 a 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