Fort Myer in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Trophy of War

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial

— George Washington Memorial Parkway —

Trophy of War Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike McKeown, June 14, 2021

1. Trophy of War Marker

Inscription. As Union force threatened to occupy northern Virginia in 1861, the Lee Family evacuated Arlington House. Looking Across the river, you can see the vantage point it offered to protect the capital city. The hilltop swelled with tents, cannons, wagons and horses. Union officers moved into the house transforming it into a headquarters. The soldiers stole cherished family heirlooms from the shelves as souvenirs.

I grieve at the necessity that drives you from your home.
Robert E. Lee to his wife, Mary May 8, 1861

(caption)
A Union soldier penciled these words into a wood beam in the Arlington House attic, shown above at two times thickness.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1861.

Location. 38° 52.85′ N, 77° 4.351′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Fort Myer. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 321 Sherman Drive, Fort Myer VA 22211, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Garden to Graves (a few steps from this marker); Kingdom of my childhood (a few steps from this marker); A Place of Division and Reunification (a few steps from this marker); Platforms of Power

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Gray Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Pierre Charles L’Enfant (within shouting distance of this marker); Guardian of a Nation's Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Evolving Vision (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Also see . . . Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial. National Park Service (Submitted on June 15, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2021, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 19 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 14, 2021, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. Accurate GPS coordinates. • Can you help?