Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1898 — A PLACE OF REFUGE. [ARTICLE]

A PLACE OF REFUGE.

Where Grant Could Secure Safety If Scared. Summer Hill, close to Studley, Va., Is a.very interesting place, built over 100 years ago, and was the arena, says the Boston Transcript, of much active warfare about the year 1862. Mrs. Newton resides there, the widow of Captain William B. Newton, a scholarly gentleman and brave commander of cavalry In General Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade, who was killed at the battle of Culpeper Courthouse. He was a brother of the late Bishop John Brokenbrough Newton. Summer Hill was taken for headquarters by General Grant, and there he held a counsel of war with General Hancock and General McDowell. General Grant told Mrs. Newton iie was expecting an attack, and that a battle would be fought under her very roof tree and added: “I advise you strongly, madam, to go over luto King W T illiam County with your little children. I will be glad to furnish you an ambulance and safeguard to cross the lines.” She answered: “No I prefer to stay here. This old home is all I have left, and if its fate is to fall down it will have to fall on my head. I can put the children down in the potato cellar, and, General, if you should get scared when tlie firing begins, you can go down there with them.” General Grant laughed heartily, and said: “Have your own way, madam. You are brave enough.” After the war was over he inquired very particularly of her, and expressed the hope that she came out all right.