William S. Lum and his guest

VICKSBURG, Miss. By Evan Winschel (VDN) — Today’s featured spotlight is dedicated to William S. Lum (1822-1899) and his famous “guest.” Stifling humidity descended upon the already suffocated city on the morning of July 5th, 1863. Its last breaths of rebellion smothered out the day prior when John C. Pemberton officially surrendered the besieged town. Atop the courthouse, the newly raised stars and stripes waved gently in air where the faint smell of gunpowder lingered. Down below the conqueror’s entourage made their way along Washington Street in search of a suitable headquarters. Riding alongside the victorious Ulysses S. Grant sat his wife, Julia. With her arm interlocked in his, she smiled with pride at her husband’s accomplishments as they viewed potential residences from the road. Stunning mansions with their columned porticos and intricate iron fencing lay on either side of their carriage, truly giving the Grants the pick of the litter. Some citizens peaked from behind windows draped in lace sheers while others witnessed the procession from their porches. The Grants soon gazed upon sweeping grounds that gave way to the immense portico of the Lum Mansion. The home, with its 25 rooms, had the designation of being the finest and largest home within the city. Initially taken by the grandeur of the property, Grant’s attention soon focused on the behavior of a figure dwarfed in the shadow of the grand edifice. Julia, remarking in her memoirs, stated, “A belligerent young woman stood with other members of the household near the entrance gate of the Lum residence and imprudently made ugly faces at our handsome captain.” Perhaps amused by the girl’s audacity, Grant immediately ordered the party to a halt and declared, “This will suit us.” This unexpected announcement caused quite the commotion, as the ladies “fled like a flock of partridges.”

Alarmed by the histrionics, William Lum made his way to the front door where he came face to face with General Grant. Grant, informing Mr. Lum of his intentions, immediately commandeered the first floor of the house. For the foreseeable future, the Lum family would be restricted to residing in the upper floors of the home. One could imagine that the Lums felt like visitors in their own home. Little did they know that they had a secret weapon among them, Miss Mary Emma Hurlbut. Serving as the Lum children’s governess, Emma came to Vicksburg all the way from Connecticut. Blessed with the benefits of youth and charm, Emma soon used this to her and the Lum family’s advantage. Surrounded by Union officers, Emma would flirtatiously flutter around the room with “burning cheeks and downcast eyes.” Almost immediately she endeared herself to the occupying forces. So much so that soon she and the Lum family enjoyed several privileges like leisurely carriage rides about town. Not all of Grant’s men were as thrilled by her allure initially, with General Rawlins remarking, “I do not think it just the thing for a United States soldier wearing the United States uniform to be acting as coachman for a lot of rebel women.” His resolve eventually proved to be no match for Emma’s wiles. Not only did he start partaking in those distasteful carriage rides, but he went so far as to secure her hand in marriage. The expression “change of tune” exemplified in real time.

With a new assignment waiting for him in Virginia, Grant started preparations to depart from Vicksburg. Before restoring the Lums to the entirety of their property, he provided them with protection papers with the assurance that no harm would come to them or their property by the hands of Union occupational forces. Paper, being a flimsy material, has the tendency to lack gravitas for some, and the mansion’s ideal location was chosen for a new defense line. Soon the house and its fine interiors were reduced to rubble and the construction of Battery Rawlins commenced, one in a series of artillery positions that comprised Fort Grant. The destruction of his home and the tumultuous reconstruction period was hard on William Lum, who never fully recovered financially. In an attempt to restore the family’s good fortunes, William became the proprietor of the renowned Washington Hotel in 1868. For 31 more years, William would continue to be one of Vicksburg’s leading and beloved citizens until he passed after a short illness in 1899.

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