Goodies from San Antonio

When you volunteer in the Bullis Room, you have great opportunity to research the family. This happens especially when you decide to vacation in a place where there are Bullis connections. One of our volunteers spent a few days in San Antonio a couple of weeks ago. She told me as she was leaving the library that she would be not be able to come the next week because she was going to San Antonio. Well, let me tell you my excitement level. Brig. Gen. John Lapham Bullis had a home built for him and his family there when he was the Paymaster at Fort Sam Houston. It is currently a bed and breakfast on Pierce Ave. across from the Fort. My wonderful volunteer and her husband went to the house, spoke with the owners, brought back pictures. What a wonderful experience! They also went to the Texas Institute of Culture and brought back more information.
Who was Brig. Gen. John Lapham Bullis? He was born here in Macedon. His father was a physician and had a practice in the hamlet of Pumpkin Hook for many years. After John's mother passed away, he joined the army and fought at Harper's Ferry and Gettysburg. He was captured there and spent time in Libby Prison and was paroled. He then became a leader of the black troops for the remainder of the war. He left the military for a year or so and then chose a military career. His best known accomplishment was that of leading the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts. While he was their Lieutenant, none perished and he was rescued from certain death at one point by two scouts. These two men received the Medal of Honor for their bravery. And there is so much more to tell about Brig. Gen. Bullis' life which we will share from time to time.