Famous Homes and Landmarks of the City
This modest house on Franklin Street was home to Robert E. Lee during and immediately following The War. When the Confederate army evacuated Northern Virginia in early 1861, the Northern forces occupied Arlington, the home to the Lee's before the conflict. The Federal government confiscated the famous property that housed a huge collection of artifacts from George Washington (Lee had married the daughter of Washington's adopted son). Lee was never again able to return to his family's home. The Union government turned it into the now illustrious Arlington National Cemetary. To protect his wife and daughters, Lee moved them first to White House on the Pamunkey River, but that was overrun then burned by Union forces in McClellan's 1862 Peninsula Campaign. Mary finally settled in Richmond in this abode where she remained until her famous husband returned from Appomattox. They lived here until Lee took the Presidency of Washington College in Lexington.
One of the most well-known photogragphs of General Robert Edward Lee, taken just after The War in the uniform he wore for much his time in the field.
The picture at left shows the door in front of which Lee posed for the camera. It is on the back of the house on Franklin Street seen above.
In these two photographs can be seen the home that became known as the "White House of the Confederacy" during The War. This was the private residence of Presidant Jefferson Davis during his tenure at the head of the Southern government. Although he maintained offices nearer to the Capitol, health problems forced Davis to stay close to home, and it was in this house that many of the most important decisions regarding the fate of the Rebellion were made. Today it is part of the Museum of the Confederacy and has been restored for visitors.
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