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Blenheim (Willcoxon Farm)
Civil War Soldier Art
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July 25, 2009 | |
| | | 1. Blenheim (Willcoxon Farm) Marker | | |
Inscription. Blenheim, built for Albert and Mary Willcoxon about 1859, contains some of the nation’s best-preserved Civil War soldier writings. More than 110 identified Union soldiers, representing units from New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, left their marks on the house walls. The earliest dated signature is from March 11, 1862, and the last is from June 20, 1863.
From the front door to the attic, the soldiers covered the new white plaster walls of the house (described by a Richmond newspaper in 1861 as “a brick building recently erected and fitted up in handsome style”) with their names, regiment numbers, and hometowns. Using charcoal, graphite, and crayon, they drew images from home—a house and animals—and of war—a cannon and men in uniform. One soldier lamented the war’s toll on morale:
4th Month
No Money
No Whiskey
No Friends
No Rations
No Peas
No Beans
No Pants
No Patriotism
Whether on duty at the house or ill in the “brick house hospital,” as it was called, the men sought respite from the daily boredom of soldiering through their writings.
The Willcoxons, while loyal Confederates, neither destroyed nor covered the Union soldier signatures, art, and poetry on the attic | | | | 
July 25, 2009 | |
| | | 2. Blenheim (Willcoxon Farm) Marker | | At the Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim. | | |
walls. Recent removals of paint and wallpaper from the first and second floor walls revealed more names long hidden from view.
Blenheim is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is significant for providing rare visual insight into the psyche of the common Civil War soldier.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails marker series.
Location. 38° 51.325′ N, 77° 17.604′ W. Marker is in Fairfax, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Old Lee Highway. Click for map. The marker is located at the Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3610 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax VA 22030, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Blenheim (a few steps from this marker); Dairy Barn Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Baptismal Area (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fairfax (approx. 0.8 miles away); Historic Fairfax Elementary School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Pozer Garden (approx. 0.9 miles away); Draper House (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Draper House (approx. 0.9 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Fairfax.
More about this marker. | | | | 
July 25, 2009 | |
| | | 3. Close-up of Photo on Marker | | |
On the lower left of the marker is a map captioned, Survey for Military Defences:Map by the Bureau of Topographical Engineers, August 1862.- Courtesy of The Library of Congress..
In the center of the marker is a portrait captioned, Lt. Daniel W. Clark, 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry, signed the attic wall and left Fairfax Court House for Gen. George B. McClellan's Peninsula Campaign. -Courtesy of Forest Co. (Pa.) Historical Society. Below the portrait is a photo captioned, Signature of Lt. Daniel W. Clark.
On the upper right of the marker is a photograph captioned, Unsigned pencil and charcoal drawing of a cannon and soldier.
Also see . . .
1. Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim. (Submitted on July 25, 2009.)
2. Blenheim. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (.pdf) (Submitted on July 25, 2009.)
3. Diaries of the Common Soldier. News story about the opening of the Civil War Interpretive Center. (Submitted on July 25, 2009.)
4. Blenheim House Attic. WorldVR, High Definition Virtual Reality (Submitted on July 25, 2009.)
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July 25, 2009 | |
| | | 4. Close-up of Map on Marker | | |
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July 25, 2009 | |
| | | 5. Historic Blenheim | | |
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July 25, 2009 | |
| | | 6. Blenheim House | | |
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July 25, 2009 | |
| | | 7. NHRP Plaque |
"Blenheim"
(Willcoxon Farm)
c.1857
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the
United State Department of the Interior
2001 | | |
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| Credits. This page originally submitted on July 25, 2009. This page has been viewed 278 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Submitted on July 25, 2009. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page. | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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