Lexington, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
General Lee’s Beloved Traveller
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 21, 2012
1. General Lee’s Beloved Traveller Marker
General Lee’s Beloved Traveller
Rarely has an animal captured so much affection.
Traveller, first called Jeff Davis and later Greenbrier, was born in 1857 near Blue Sulphur Springs (now in West Virginia). In 1862, Lee purchased him and renamed him after one of George Washington’s horses. This sturdy American saddlebred, sixteen hands high, iron gray with black mane and tail, carried Lee through many of the Civil War’s major campaigns, and later on pleasant late afternoon rides into the hillsides around Lexington.
Not long after Lee’s death, Traveller stepped on a nail and developed tetanus. He died in the summer of 1871 and was buried in a ravine behind the college. A century later, his skeleton was reburied here. The Virginia Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy, marked the grave and his stable.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. 37° 47.239′ N, 79° 26.514′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Letcher Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located next to Lee Chapel on the grounds of Washington and Lee University.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Traveller’s Grave (here, next to this marker); William Graham (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington and Lee University (within shouting distance of this marker); Cyrus Hall McCormick (within shouting distance of this marker); Oklahoma Survivor Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Cyrus Hall McCormick (within shouting distance of this marker); Christopher James Coffland '88 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); David Rohrer Herr, Jr. '84 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.
More about this marker. An 1866 photograph of Robert E. Lee on Traveller, by Michael Miley, appears on the left of the marker. It has a caption of “During Lee’s presidency of Washington College, Traveller grazed on the campus front lawn and shared a stable with Lucy Long and Ajax, Lee’s other horses. The doors of the stable, now a garage, remain open to allow Traveller’s spirit to roam freely.”
On the right side of the marker is a photograph of Traveller’s Skeleton. Below this is the caption “Not long after his original burial, Traveller was
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 21, 2012
2. General Lee’s Beloved Traveller Marker
Both of these photos are from the Leyburn Library Special Collections.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 21, 2012
3. Marker at Wash. & Lee University
The marker is located on the campus of Washington and Lee University. Lee Chapel can be seen in the background.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 21, 2012
4. Traveller's Grave
Traveller is buried next to the marker, a few feet from the grave of Gen. Lee.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 21, 2012
5. Lee Chapel
The marker is located just outside of Lee Chapel. Lee's office is in this building and the Lee family are buried here.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 913 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 23, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
