The History of Burlington, New Jersey, by William E. Schermerhorn. Enterprise Publishing Co., Burlington, N.J., 1927. From the chapter titled "The Civil War Period."

Captain Miner K. Knowlton, a retired army officer who resided in the present home of Thomas I. Rogers, at Wood and West Union Streets, had been an instructor at West Point when General Grant was a cadet in that institution. Grant desired to have his family located in a quiet, safe place while he was engaged with the war. Upon Captain Knowlton's recommendation Mrs. Grant came to Burlington in September, 1864, with her four children, accompanied by her brother, Lieutenant Colonel Dent, and occupied the property 309 Wood Street, now the residence of Olin M. Slack.

The General's children became pupils at Burlington College and were often seen riding about the town on the frisky little pony their famous father sent to them from Vicksburg, Miss. They were not selfish in their pastime with the pony and permitted their playmates in the neighborhood the privilege of an occasional ride.

General Grant made his first visit to Burlington some ten days after the family became domiciled here. He came unostentatiously on a Saturday evening, about midnight, on a special train accompanied only by an orderly. Anthony ("Tone") Smith, a member of the police force, and Harry Kelly, night operator, were the only persons on the platform when the train arrived. The General seems to have been ignorant of the location of the new family residence. He approached Smith and inquired if he knew where Mrs. Grant lived. "Tone" replied that he did, and he and Kelly escorted the two strangers to the Wood Street house. The General Rapped at the door. Mrs. Grant appeared on the balcony above and asked:

"Is that you, Ulysses?"

"Yes," was the simple, quiet reply, and Mrs. Grant came down and let the General and his orderly in.

Early in the morning it became known that the hero of Vicksburg was in Burlington. The General had barely time to breakfast and light his first cigar when citizens came in squads and deputations to testify their high appreciation of his services to the country. The door of the cottage was constantly open and all who came were welcomed with the utmost cordiality. Among the visitors were a number of ladies. Some were accompanied by their children. Mrs. D. V. Holmes, of 28 West Union Street, remembers how as a little girl (Sarah Gauntt) she climbed into General Grant's lap, and when he kissed her how the sting of tobacco lingered on her lips.

As it was known that the General's stay would be short, a basket of fine fruit was made up and sent to him by the hands of Thomas Milnor, who was then a little chap about six years old. On being led into the parlor where Grant was sitting, young Milnor advanced undaunted, and tugging with both hands to hold up the well filled basket, exclaimed:

"Here's for the ladies, General!"

A little after 9 o'clock the special train, in which the General was leave at 10, rolled up to the station. There was an instantaneous rush of people from all parts of the city to be present at the leave taking and to see and greet the honored guest. By this time, too, the General's house was surrounded by another crowd of admirers and friends. Just before 10 o'clock he came out on his way to the station and was accompanied by a throng of citizens among whom were many ladies. Often, during this short walk, he was compelled to stop and respond to warmhearted greetings.

As the General passed the residence of the late Charles Kinsey, now the Moose Home, on West Broad Street, the venerable and patriotic widow came out on the porch of the house with the stars and stripes in her hand and said:

"General Grant, permit me to have the honor of waving this glorious flag over your honored head."

One of the daughters added: "General, you have already done so much for us that we expect a great deal more." Grant modestly answered: "I expect from General Sherman more than any other man in the army." As the General arrived at the station and entered the car to begin his return to the seat of war, he was greeted with rousing cheers.

What did Grant have to say about all the commotion that followed him whenever he ventured out into everyday society? Following this trip he wrote to Julia on September 20, 1864: "I got back here last evening all well. Found two letters from you on my return. The scene at the house on Sunday morning was what I had to go through the whole way. It is but little pleasure now for me to travel." (Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 12, p. 179-180).

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