Stratford Hall - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19, 1807 at Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, Virginia. His father was Henry 'Light Horse Harry' Lee, a hero of the American Revolution.When Robert was 4, the family moved to Alexandria, VA.

After graduating from West Point, Robert Lee served in the United States Army. When his home state of Virginia voted to secede from the nation in 1861, Robert Lee, who was committed to defending his home, turned down an offer from President Abraham Lincoln to command the Union army and resigned his commission. In 1862, he assumed command of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. At the beginning of 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis named Lee general-in-chief of the entire Confederate army. Lee surrendered his Army of NVA to Union Gen. U. S. Grant in April 1865 at Appomattox Court House, VA after Grant's dogged pursuit known as the Overland Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg.

After the War, Lee became president of Washington College in Lexington, VA where he died 5 years later.

Lee always had fond memories of Stratford Hall and wanted to buy it and move back, but with the advent of the Civil War, he never did. In fact. Lee never owned a house. His daughters visited Stratford Hall in 1861, but Lee never returned.

Robert's older brother, Sidney Smith, was also born there. In 1861, Sidney resigned his U.S. Navy commission and served in the Confederate Navy.

During the War years, Stratford Hall escaped damage, but in 1864 Union soldiers took supplies and the slaves of then-owner Elizabeth Storke.

A CWT marker stands along the path that leads to the Great House at Stratford Hall.

Go here for more information on hours of operation and admission.

References:

• Robert E. Lee Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com
• On-site information

Type of site: Historic Home Address: 483 Great House Rd Montross, VA USA 22520 Phone Number: 804-493-8038 Admission Charged: More than $5 Website: [Web Link] Driving Directions: Stratford Hall Plantation is located just off State Route 3 on State Route 214, six miles northwest of Montross, Virginia in Westmoreland County and 42 miles southeast of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Directions from Washington: From Eastern half of the Beltway: Take Maryland Route 5 South to U.S. Route 301 South. About 10 miles after crossing the Potomac River toll bridge, turn left onto Virginia Route 3 East. Follow Route 3 for 20 miles, then take a left onto Route 214 at Lerty, Virginia. Follow Route 214 for 2 miles. Stratford’s gate is on the left. From the Western half of the Beltway: Take I-95 South to Virginia Route 3 East (exit 130A on I-95) in Fredericksburg. Follow Route 3 for about 45 miles, then take a left onto Route 214 at Lerty, Virginia. Follow Route 214 for 2 miles. Stratford’s gate is on the left. Directions from Richmond: Take Route 360 East to Warsaw, Virginia. In Warsaw, take Route 3 West to Montross, Virginia. From Montross, continue on Route 3 to Route 214 at Lerty, Virginia. (It is 5 miles past the town of Montross.) Turn right and follow Route 214 for 2 miles. Stratford’s gate is on the left.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   10/25/2019 Sneakin Deacon visited it