Grant Ami's SOA Julia Dent Grant - The Things You May Not Know

My least favorite picture of her - but at the same time I think it says she didn’t care what she looked like - she wanted to experience life. This photo is taken when she is 60 years old with her son Buck, husband, Chinese-American guide, as they prepare to enter a mine. (Photo - Library of Congress).

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My least favorite picture of her - but at the same time I think it says she didn’t care what she looked like - she wanted to experience life. This photo is taken when she is 60 years old with her son Buck, husband, Chinese-American guide, as they prepare to enter a mine. (Photo - Library of Congress).

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Love that :laugh: I'd say she was just right, too. None of them look that dapper to be honest with you :bounce:
 
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I happened to find this -

The Obituary of Julia Dent Grant New York Times, December 15, 1902
Washington, December 14th

“Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, widow of President Grant, died at her residence in this city at 11:17 o'clock tonight.
Death was due to heart disease. Mrs. Grant, having suffered for some years from valvular disease of the heart, which was aggravated by a severe attack of bronchitis. Her age prevented her rallying from the attacks.

Her daughter, Nellie Grant Sartoris, was the only one of her children with her at the time of her death, her three sons, who had been summoned here, all being out of the city.

There were present also, when the end came, Miss Rosemary Sartoris, a granddaughter, Dr. Bishop, one of the attending physicians, and the two trained nurses. Death came peacefully, the sufferer retaining almost complete consciousness to the end.

Word has come from Jesse and Ulysses S. Grant, two of the sons now in California that they have started on their way to Washington. The other son, Gen. Fred Grant, is in Texas, and he will hasten here as soon as he receives a message telling him of his mother's death.

The body of Mrs. Grant will be placed in the tomb at Riverside Park, New York, where that of her husband now reposes. Whether this will be done immediately or postponed for a time could not be ascertained at the house tonight.”


Most of the rest of her obituary tells familiar stories of her life that have already been discussed here, but isn't it interesting the Fred Grant, apparently has not been told of her mother's death before this was posted. Of course, back then, communication was slower, but still an interesting fact.

However, at the end of her obit was this -

“A few years after the death of Gen. Grant, Mrs. Grant began work on her autobiography. This was completed several years ago. It was her desire that her grandchildren should know Gen. Grant as she knew him, and it was for them that she prepared the record of his life and hers. The biography contains the General's letters to her as lover and husband. It is doubtful if it will ever see the light of day, but it may be that in after years the General's descendants may be persuaded to give at least some portions of it to the public in the interest of history.”

Although, at times, I had some problems with her child-like approach in telling her story, it does help in painting the picture of this amazing woman and the love she had for General Grant.
 
Thank you @DBF . I hadn't read an account of Julia's passing before, and her children were so far scattered from her ... I'm glad her daughter and granddaughter were there, and I'm sure General Grant was standing unseen at her bedside. Can you imagine the wonderful heavenly reunion between the two?

It does seem odd the news was posted before Fred could be informed, but as you say delays in communication would have been an issue, and it was important news. Hard to keep important news from breaking.

What I love about Julia's memoirs is that it gives an insight into her, the couple, their children, some of the familial issues (though she is very generous to Grant's parents most of the time) and also the war. She gives a perspective - even a childlike one at times - that counters her husband's more 'business-like' perspective on the war in his memoirs. Julia's is unabashed in sharing the foibles of their family, but every unpleasant moment is covered with twice the pleasantness and Grant with twice the honour in Julia's eyes.

I'm so glad her memoirs were finally published. As we can see from this thread, an insight into Julia is an insight into Grant himself.
 
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I give her “kudos” for being General Grant's greatest supporter and encourager whether he served on the battlefield, or the White House, whether they were among family (i.e. Grant's father and mother), and whether they were among friends that turned out not to be so friendly. She never doubted his abilities, and never gave up on him in his trials. She rejoiced in his winning, and by being by his side, she picked him up when he fell.

When I think of her life and devotion to her Ulys - I think of her as the Proverbs 31 wife -

“A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.”

She served him well as a helpmate and they were blessed to have found each other.
 
Growing Fame:

Something that may seem so obvious today with the advent of social media, but I never really considered how Grant or Julia coped with his growing fame and reputation. This provides an interesting oversight and, of course, Grant's drinking is a focus as well.

"Julia Grant was more pro-active than her husband when it came to the growing press interest in him as an individual, spouse and father. Grant’s rapid rise through military ranks, surpassing many of his compatriots, also led to the revival and circulation of stories about his “former bad habits” of heavy drinking during his desolate years of isolated assignment in California. A kernel of truth was apparently enough for those jealous of his sudden prominence to embellish tales of his alcohol consumption and its resulting affect on him.

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A later political cartoon played on the rumor that Ulysses Grant drank to excess. (PBS)

From that point on, until her own death, Julia Grant denied outright that her husband had ever consumed alcohol in any excessive amount. Whether she emphatically stated this for the record knowing it to be the truth, knowing it to be an outright lie or was never fully informed of the fullest extent of his drinking or simply never witnessed him in any suggestion of even its partial truth is unknown. In their post-White House years, while in England, there was an eyewitness account that claimed that Grant had become ill from excessive alcohol consumption and did so in his wife’s presence.

Julia Grant’s blanket denial of her husband drinking, however, is the most dramatic example of her genuine belief that he was honest in all his interactions and right in all his decisions, a factor that ultimately proved vital to his confident success as leader of the Union Army leading to military victory over the Confederacy.

As the war went on, Julia Grant wasn’t just concerned with the public image of her husband but that of her own as well. Sensitive to the fact that she her eyes were crossed she began to pose only from a side view for photographs intended for public distribution.

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A Currier and Ives print depicting the famous general and his family. (Library of Congress)

Her photograph, taken in studios was also soon being sold and distributed to the public, sometimes being superimposed with her famous husband. Mrs. Grant never discouraged stories about her husband, herself and their family life. Consequently, by war’s end the American public had a general idea of not just Ulysses and Julia Grant as individuals but their children Fred, Buck, Nellie and Jesse; this was unprecedented for any military figure to that time."
 
Influence on Military Matters:

"Not wanting to remain idle, Julia Grant immediately joined Confederate women and volunteered as a hospital nurse. Interacting with wounded men from both the Union and Confederate armies, her unfiltered empathy soon enough made her the recipient of requests from people both known and unknown to her, asking her to influence the general into appointing them to various support positions in, or sub-contract offered services to the Union Army. Following her husband’s lead, she refused to entertain these pleas. She adopted a different attitude, however, when it came to interceding on behalf of soldiers or their families from both the Union and Confederate armies who made simple requests that appealed to her. On another occasion, Mrs. Grant successfully interceded on behalf of a soldier convicted of desertion to be punished by hanging. His wife, a new mother who’d convinced her enlisted husband to abandon his post to see the child, came directly to Julia Grant in her camp quarters. She gave entrée to the young woman who directly appealed to General Grant, resulting in the man’s pardon.

The letters he penned Julia Grant from the front were not, she recalled, full of important historical content but rather focused on personal and family matters. She recalled: “The General never talked war matters with me at all. He wrote very little about the war, even after the taking of Vicksburg. I don’t remember that he wrote me any letter of exultation or joy. He was so sorry for the poor fellows who were opposed to him that he could never exult over any victory. He always felt relieved, of course, and glad that it seemed to promise to shorten the war, but he never exulted over them.”

A number of things here I never thought about. I didn't realize Julia had helped in the hospitals. That is news to me. I do know she made one attempt at knitting socks for soldiers when Grant started out for the war and made the decision the better role for her was to stay at home with the family and support her husband that way.

I also didn't think about people trying to 'use' her as a way to get to the General's ear. They must have understood the closeness of their relationship which would make Julia and ideal candidate for influencing his decisions. She wisely followed his lead in not entertaining them, but interceding for soldiers and their families was one area where she did decide to use her influence. And with some success.

The final thing is the fact she confirms that Grant never exulted over any victory. I always believed this about him. And admired him for it, too.

There was also the suggestion at one point that she become involved in peace negotiations. This never happened, but she had been a willing candidate in helping to bring the war to an end. She couldn't convince Ulysses to allow women to do such a thing when it was men who had started the war in the first place.
 
I think Julia Grant, like her husband, has been seriously underestimated. Wonderful details about her life.
I agree, and am only just realizing that now with this thread! They are wonderful details and there are a few more to come which I hope to post over the next few days. Thanks @Canadian
 
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Dr. William M. McPheeters was a noted physician of St. Louis, but refused to take the oath of allegiance. Facing certain imprisonment, Dr. McPheeters left the city and headed south, leaving his wife Sallie and family. He joined the staff of Gen. Sterling Price in Arkansas. On July 4, 1863, the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Helena, Arkansas forcing the army to retreat back to Little Rock. A hospital was established a few mile west of Helena where the severely wounded who could not travel were left by the retreating army. Dr. McPheeters stayed to take charge of the hospital and care for the wounded. The area came under Union control.

Finding out that her husband was located near Helena, Sallie McPheeters obtained a pass to travel south on the river as far as Helena. She boarded a steamer crowded with Northern politicians and Federal officers. A coterie of Northern women, wives and friends of officers were also passengers. Soon these women discovered that Sallie was the wife of a Rebel sympathizer. The insults began to fly. Years later, Sallie said, "Their indignation was aroused to the highest pitch and they became exceedingly disagreeable to me in diverse ways, by word and deed." The political gentlemen denounced this Southern wife as a "rebel mail carrier" and demanded her luggage and her person be searched for contraband and she be put ashore. The captain refused, but could not diminish the disparaging remarks from the passengers. Sallie found it necessary to confine herself to her stateroom.

At Memphis, Mrs. Julia Dent Grant, her two boys, and their military escort boarded the steamer bound for Vicksburg to see her husband. Quickly surrounded by her fellow passengers, Julia was told of the "ostracized rebel woman on board." To the great surprise of her audience, Julia called for the captain and asked him to present her compliments to this lady. When Sallie appeared, Mrs Grant invited Sallie to join her. "Mrs. McPheeters, do not let these women or anyone else on board annoy you. I will see that you are not molested." Shocked the Northern women asked Mrs. Grant how she could associate with a Confederate woman. Julia answered she harbored no ill feelings toward Southerners and in fact she had many friends in the South. She added, "Besides, we do not know how soon the tables may be turned and we may be under the necessity of asking for favors at their hands." When the steamer arrived at Helena, Julia sent one of her aides ashore with a message for Gen. Benjamin Prentiss requesting proper treatment and safe passage for Sallie through the lines.

Sallie McPheeters had come to see her husband in person at some risk in order to speak privately rather than to write the description of a tragedy in their life together. Death had claimed their second son, George, during the doctors absence from home. Sallie had made this pilgrimage in order that they might share the terrible sorrow together.

This abbreviated account found in the book, "I Acted From Principle - The CW Diary of Dr. William M. McPheeters, Confederate Surgeon in the Trans-Mississippi." Edited by Cynthia DeHaven Petcock and Bill J. Gurley.
 
Dr. William M. McPheeters was a noted physician of St. Louis, but refused to take the oath of allegiance. Facing certain imprisonment, Dr. McPheeters left the city and headed south, leaving his wife Sallie and family. He joined the staff of Gen. Sterling Price in Arkansas. On July 4, 1863, the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Helena, Arkansas forcing the army to retreat back to Little Rock. A hospital was established a few mile west of Helena where the severely wounded who could not travel were left by the retreating army. Dr. McPheeters stayed to take charge of the hospital and care for the wounded. The area came under Union control.

Finding out that her husband was located near Helena, Sallie McPheeters obtained a pass to travel south on the river as far as Helena. She boarded a steamer crowded with Northern politicians and Federal officers. A coterie of Northern women, wives and friends of officers were also passengers. Soon these women discovered that Sallie was the wife of a Rebel sympathizer. The insults began to fly. Years later, Sallie said, "Their indignation was aroused to the highest pitch and they became exceedingly disagreeable to me in diverse ways, by word and deed." The political gentlemen denounced this Southern wife as a "rebel mail carrier" and demanded her luggage and her person be searched for contraband and she be put ashore. The captain refused, but could not diminish the disparaging remarks from the passengers. Sallie found it necessary to confine herself to her stateroom.

At Memphis, Mrs. Julia Dent Grant, her two boys, and their military escort boarded the steamer bound for Vicksburg to see her husband. Quickly surrounded by her fellow passengers, Julia was told of the "ostracized rebel woman on board." To the great surprise of her audience, Julia called for the captain and asked him to present her compliments to this lady. When Sallie appeared, Mrs Grant invited Sallie to join her. "Mrs. McPheeters, do not let these women or anyone else on board annoy you. I will see that you are not molested." Shocked the Northern women asked Mrs. Grant how she could associate with a Confederate woman. Julia answered she harbored no ill feelings toward Southerners and in fact she had many friends in the South. She added, "Besides, we do not know how soon the tables may be turned and we may be under the necessity of asking for favors at their hands." When the steamer arrived at Helena, Julia sent one of her aides ashore with a message for Gen. Benjamin Prentiss requesting proper treatment and safe passage for Sallie through the lines.

Sallie McPheeters had come to see her husband in person at some risk in order to speak privately rather than to write the description of a tragedy in their life together. Death had claimed their second son, George, during the doctors absence from home. Sallie had made this pilgrimage in order that they might share the terrible sorrow together.

This abbreviated account found in the book, "I Acted From Principle - The CW Diary of Dr. William M. McPheeters, Confederate Surgeon in the Trans-Mississippi." Edited by Cynthia DeHaven Petcock and Bill J. Gurley.
How wonderful to have this addition to the thread! Thank you so so much @ J. D. Stevens :smile: Julia continues to amaze me.
 
Here we come to an interesting episode in Julia Dent Grant's life in her meeting with the President's wife. There seem to be variations on some of these tales, one indicated in an earlier post in relation to Julia's ESP and the assassination of President Lincoln, and another two which I will add at the end and given from Julia's own perspective.

Relationship with Mary Lincoln

"Certainly with pride and perhaps with a farsighted ambition for her long-held belief her husband would become President, towards the end of the war, Julia Grant implored her husband to invite the President and Mrs. Lincoln to visit him at his Virginia encampment at City Point. Ignoring his belief that, as commander-in-chief, Lincoln would tour any military installation he wished to, she discovered from First Son Robert Lincoln, then serving as a captain to General Grant, that his parents welcomed an invitation, which they soon received and accepted.

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This fanciful image crafted to depict the meeting of Julia Grant and the Lincolns fictitiously placed it at an East Room reception. (Library of Congress)

At the time, the public knew little about the tensions that developed between Julia Grant and Mary Lincoln. As the central image of a popular drawing of the “Grand Reception” at the White House on the occasion of Lincoln’s March 1865 second Inauguration, Julia Grant was shown smiling as she shakes hands with the President and the First Lady.

Much lore exists about what amounts to a feud in the closing months of the Civil War between First Lady Mary Lincoln and the General’s wife Julia Grant. Their initial meeting took place at Grant’s City Point, Virginia headquarters in March of 1865, when the President and his wife arrived for an inspection tour and stay there.

Rather than express gratitude to Mrs. Grant for encouraging the Lincoln visit, the First Lady was put off by her presence, remarking that she “thought ladies were not allowed in camp.” To this, Mrs. Grant smilingly replied, “General Grant is much opposed to their being present, but when I wanted to come I wrote him a nice, coaxing letter, and permission was always granted.” Mrs. Lincoln, however, was not amused by this.

Shortly after, Mrs. Grant came to call, seating herself next to Mary Lincoln on a coach, which provoked the latter to snap, “How dare you?” In recalling the incident, Mrs. Grant’s sister later claimed that the general’s wife, outraged at such rudeness, walked out.

When both women were driven to the front after battle, to join their husbands, Grant aides Horace Porter and Adam Badeau were eyewitness to the women’s interactions. Badeau mentioned to them that due to reports of continued skirmishes it was thought wiser that all women be sent into retreat and that General Charles Griffin’s wife had sought and received permission from the President to move forward. This sent Mrs. Lincoln into a rage, yelling, “What do you mean by that, sir? Do you mean to say that she saw the President alone? Do you know that I never allow the President to see any woman alone?" She then insisted, "I will ask the President if he saw that woman alone," and ordered the coachman to halt. Horrified at this behavior, Julia Grant gingerly attempted to calm her, later instructing the aide to keep the incident to himself.

When later, Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Grant were delayed as they were being transported to join the President and the General at a military review, Sally Ord, the attractive wife of another general, alone on horseback, was told not to wait for the other women but rather to join the President, also on horseback, who had begun the review without waiting for his wife and Mrs. Grant. When the vehicle with the two women finally approached within sight of the review, Mrs. Lincoln was livid, yelling at an aide, "What does the woman mean by riding by the side of the President and ahead of me? Does she suppose that he wants her by the side of him?” She then turned on Mrs. Ord. According to Grant’s aide Adam Badeau, the First Lady "positively insulted her…[with] vile names in the presence of a crowd of officers, and asked what she meant by following up the President."

Mrs. Ord burst out crying, prompting Julia Grant to defend her. This then provoked Mary Lincoln to verbally assault Julia Grant: "I suppose you think you'll get to the White House yourself, don't you?"

Julia Grant remained calm, remarking that she was happy with her lot in life, and it was a greater status than she’d ever imagined she would attain. This only further angered Mary Lincoln, who finally snapped, "Oh! You had better take it if you can get it. ? Tis very nice."

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President Lincoln photographed during a visit to General Grant’s camp headquarters. (Library of Congress)

There was at least one other known encounter between the two women. When an aide invited by Robert Lincoln onto the River Queen, the official vessel being used by the President and his wife lingered with Julia Grant in an inner cabin, she noticed Mrs. Lincoln standing alone by herself on the deck, and urged him to fetch a chair for the First Lady. When he approached her politely with the chair, she sharply dismissed him, and then called Mrs. Grant to her side. This encounter was apparently friendly enough, but the First Lady asked Mrs. Grant to have the aide removed from the River Queen. Further, Mrs. Lincoln insisted that her boat must always be closest to the shore and would not cross over the Grant vessel, The Martin, to walk to land.

It has been speculated that the “feud” was less about personal animosity between the two women and rooted more in Mary Lincoln’s initial judgment of Grant as a “butcher,” and Julia Grant’s resentment of that sentiment. There is also some indication that she held an ultimately sympathetic if removed perspective on Mrs. Lincoln and the emotional instability, which the Civil War had created for her."

(Taken from the link in the OP)

The incident with General Ord's wife is described somewhat differently in Julia's memoirs. She recalls Mrs Ord riding by at a gallop saying she could not control her horse who was determined to join it's mate (General Ord's horse). Mrs Lincoln became agitated by this and said she didn't think women were allowed in camp which is when Julia replied that she coaxed Grant to allow her to visit him there.
Mrs Ord's horse continued to dash ahead of them and Mary Todd Lincoln became more annoyed with the thought she would join her husband, the President, before her. Julia sent an officer ahead to ask Mrs Ord to join their party which she did, feeling much gratified, and Julia told her she thought it would be more agreeable for Mrs Ord to be near their carriage, at the same time introducing her to Mrs Lincoln who received her most graciously.

The incident of Julia seating herself on a couch beside Mrs Lincoln is also told in her memoirs. This supposedly happened on the River Queen during the President's first visit to the Grant's there and after President Lincoln introducing Julia to his wife before leaving them to join General Grant to discuss current affairs.

"On the departure of the gentlemen, Mrs Lincoln politely pointed to the little sofa from which she had arisen and invited me to be seated. As I was standing near her, I seated myself beside her on this small sofa; then, seeing a look of surprise from Mrs Lincoln, I immediately started up, exclaiming, 'I crowd you, I fear.' She kindly extended her hand to detain me, saying, 'not at all.' So I remained where I was for a few moments and then quietly took a chair near her. On my return to camp, in reply to enquiries as to my visit, I related this very awkward mistake on my part, and from this little incident innocently related, and as I remember, casting blame on myself if there was any, saying I was a trifle embarrassed, or I would not have taken that seat,' is woven the sensational story so recently published.'" The Personal Memoirs of Julia Dent Grant.
 
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End of the Civil War:


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A colorized Civil War era engraving of Julia Grant. (fold3.com)

"Towards the end of the war, Julia Grant’s national profile had become prominent enough that she was even briefly considered for a type of prelude role to the negotiation of a peace treaty. Union general Edward Ord raised the idea of an exchange of two social calls, one behind Confederate lines, the other behind Union lines between Julia Grant and her old friend Louise Longstreet, who also happened to be the wife of a Confederate general. While these two visits were being made, it was suggested, Grant and Confederate general Robert E. Lee would be encouraged to simultaneously negotiate the peace treaty in complete trust, helping ensure that “terms honorable to both sides could be found.” The plan fell through and robbed Mrs. Grant, she felt, from a role in helping end the war.

Julia Grant’s longest unbroken period of living with her husband at a military headquarters was at City Point, Virginia from June of 1864 to April of 1865 during the Petersburg siege. Having learned that General Robert E. Lee had surrendered to her husband while she was aboard a Union vessel in the James River, Virginia, Julia Grant remained awake as long as she could in anticipation of his return, overseeing the preparation of a victory dinner. Finally falling asleep, he returned to awake her, confirming the news of the war’s end and they celebrated by sharing the dinner meal as breakfast."

Julia did her best to stay awake. It's what we do when we love someone. I'm so glad they got to celebrate that victory dinner together, even if it was for breakfast, and I'm sure she was the first person he wanted to see when the war had finally been won.
 
Poor Mary Lincoln. Everything I read about her shows a woman who is deeply unhappy. She is often described as somewhat unhinged, but there could have been all sorts of reasons for her behavior. Certainly the death of Willie, among other things.

Thinking about it, the Grants were unusually lucky for a nineteenth century family in that all four of their children lived well into adulthood. This would have been the exception. Lincoln and Davis both lost children, and I know it was very common.
 
Poor Mary Lincoln. Everything I read about her shows a woman who is deeply unhappy. She is often described as somewhat unhinged, but there could have been all sorts of reasons for her behavior. Certainly the death of Willie, among other things.

Thinking about it, the Grants were unusually lucky for a nineteenth century family in that all four of their children lived well into adulthood. This would have been the exception. Lincoln and Davis both lost children, and I know it was very common.
Yes, many of the high profile Generals and politicians lost children, some of the several. Longstreet's is one tragic case that comes to mind and I've only recently been made aware of Rawlin's, Grant's right hand man as well.

When you think about it neither Grant nor Lee lost children during the war and two of Lee's sons fought. That is really quite remarkable for the times that were in it. And both President's lost a son.

It would be hard for anyone not to become unhinged and Julia and Ulysses were very fortunate in that sense. I know they both loved their children deeply and I'm sure Grant would have been very deeply affected by such a loss if it had happened. He didn't even like being away from his family.

I'ms so delighted this thread is running on and I have a little more to add, but it's certainly opened my eyes up to a few things and I'm glad others are continuing to contribute.
 
neither Grant nor Lee lost children during the war and two of Lee's sons fought
Not quite right about Lee. His daughter Annie died on October 20, 1862 from typhoid fever. Granted, she was already 23 years old, I'm not sure, though, at what age people were considered as adults. And all three sons fought and survived the war, even if Custis's service at the front was limited to the final months of the war.

I never thought about how lucky the Grants were that all four children lived into adulthood and founded families of their own when other families lost one or more children at an early age.
 
Another “what if” - General Grant’s eldest son was an officer in the 7th Cavalry in June of 1876, and was on leave due to the birth of his 1st daughter (June 6th). She was given the name Julia and went on to marry a Russia prince but fled and returned to the United States in 1917. Her her official title - Julia Dent Grant Cantacuzène Spéransky (Princess Cantacuzène, Countess Spéranskyas).

My_life_here_and_there_(1921)_(14598098480).jpg

The Princess marriage in Newport, RI - her grandmother to her right, September 24, 1899.
(Photo Public Domain - Wikipedia)

Due to her father’s leave from the military in June of 1876, he was not involved in the disaster that would be remembered as “Custer’s Last Stand”.

http://robertcconnerauthor.blogspot.com/2018/06/custer-and-fred-grant.html
 
Another “what if” - General Grant’s eldest son was an officer in the 7th Cavalry in June of 1876, and was on leave due to the birth of his 1st daughter (June 6th). She was given the name Julia and went on to marry a Russia prince but fled and returned to the United States in 1917. Her her official title - Julia Dent Grant Cantacuzène Spéransky (Princess Cantacuzène, Countess Spéranskyas).

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The Princess marriage in Newport, RI - her grandmother to her right, September 24, 1899.
(Photo Public Domain - Wikipedia)

Due to her father’s leave from the military in June of 1876, he was not involved in the disaster that would be remembered as “Custer’s Last Stand”.

http://robertcconnerauthor.blogspot.com/2018/06/custer-and-fred-grant.html
He was lucky indeed!

Apparently she went on to write memoirs about the Russian revolution. I haven't read them.
 
Not quite right about Lee. His daughter Annie died on October 20, 1862 from typhoid fever.
Thanks for filling me in, Lu. I'd like to hear more about this and Lee's reaction to it. And a child is always considered a child in my opinion. So there is no age limit to that as far as parents are concerned.

I never thought about how lucky the Grants were that all four children lived into adulthood and founded families of their own when other families lost one or more children at an early age.
There were so many ways in which 'providence' seemed to play a part in Grant and Julia's life. This is one of them.
 
Her obituary as it appeared in the New York Times - October October 7, 1975 - Lots of little interesting tidbits in this article - I highlighted some of my favorites.

“Princess Julia Cantacuzene, 99, Grant's Granddaughter, Dead”

Princess Julia Grant Cantacuzene, granddaughter of President Ulysses S. Grant, and long a leader in Washington society, died Sunday at her home in the Dresden Apartment House Washington. She was 99 years old.

Princess Cantacuzene was the former wife of the late Prince Michael Cantacuzene, who commanded the last regiment at Kiev during the Russian Revolution.

A founder of the Sulgrave Club, she lunched there often until 1970, and frequently held court at her home for Washington's large White Russian colony.

At a luncheon party of descendants of American Presidents in 1970, an invitation to which Alice Roosevelt Longworth declined, saying, “I'm cutting down on going out,” Princess Cantacuzene remarked, “Cutting down? Well, think of that. Why, she's only 86.” The Princess was almost 94.


As she had neared her 70th birthday, her eyes had begun to fail. She underwent five operations but at the age of 80 became blind. Two weeks before her 90th birthday, Princess Cantacuzene awoke and suddenly saw the canopy on her bed. There was sunlight, and she saw color, shadows, a chair, pictures on the wall. An unexplained medical phenomenon had dropped the retina in one eye, enabling her to partly recover her sight.

In extensive memoirs Princess Cantacuzene recalled her life in the White House and at the imperial courts of Vienna and St. Petersburg before World War 1. She was the wife of a Russian prince for 35 years, and when she returned to her native United States she was active in Republican politics.

She was a daughter of Maj. Gen. Frederick Dent Grant, son of President Grant. Her mother was the former Ida Honore, a sister of the wealthy, socially prominent Mrs. Potter Palmer of Chicago.

Julia Dent Grant was born in the White House on June 7, 1876. She remembered the taciturn, brown-bearded President Grant teaching her to make a cat’s cradle with a piece of string. When she grew up, her dark good looks, dancing ability, wit and linguistic aptitude helped her to enjoy the waltzes and gay military uniforms of imperial Vienna when her father was Minister to the Court of Emperor Francis Joseph in the eighteen-nineties.


While at Cannes with Mrs. Palmer, Miss Grant met Prince Michael Cantacuzene, a lieutenant in the Russian guards cavalry. They were married in Newport, R.I., on Sept. 25, 1899, and sailed on a private yacht for a Paris wedding trip.The Cantacuzene estates included 80,000 acres around the castle of Bouromka in the central Ukraine.

In World War I, Prince Michael became a major general and was wounded at the battle of Gumbinnen. Forced to flee during the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, the couple came to the United States.

They returned to Russia briefly when General Cantacuzene joined the staff of the White Russian Admiral Aleksandr Kolchak, but came once more to the United States before Admiral Kolchak's defeat.


Wrote Three Books

Princess Cantacuzene wrote extensively for magazines and newspapers, sometimes on general topics, but usually about her life abroad and in Washington and the distinguished persons she had known. She wrote three books, “Revolutionary Days,” “Russian People” and “My Life—Here and There.”

In 1934 she obtained a divorce in Sarasota, Fla., on the grounds that the Prince “failed to show interest in matrimonial duties.” He died in 1955 at the age of 79.

Surviving are two daughters. Lady Hanbury ‐ Williams of County Meath, Ireland, and Bertha Siebern of Louisville, Ky.; 6 grandchildren, 22 greatgrandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. A son, Michael, died in 1973.

There will be a memorial service Monday at 11 A.M. in the Bethlehem Chapel of the Washington National Cathedral.”
 
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