"At first we lived in tents, but later, when my husband became commander of the post, I lived most comfortably in a house...." - Septima M. Collis
The house Septima Collis lived "most comfortably" in during the last months of the Civil War had been built by Thomas and Martha Williams in 1859 on land they had purchased from Dr. Richard Eppes for $400. Septima's husband, Brigadier General Charles H.T. Collis, obtained the house for his headquarters when he became commander of the post in October 1864.
As a high ranking officer, Collis was permitted to have his family with him at City Point. Years later, Septina fondly remembered her time in the Eppes house. One evening, she and General Collis were enjoying an informal picnic supper in front of the fire. After an evening of horseback riding, the General and his wife threw a dozen James River oysters on the embers of a wood fire. Seated on the floor, Mrs. Collis was devouring the succulent bivalves which her husband opened. At that moment General and Mrs. Grant came to call, much to Septina's consternation - although, as she noted, her guests "enjoyed the situation heartily, and were good enough to say they envied us,...."
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