Fredericksburg, Virginia: From Revolution to Civil War
Say “Fredericksburg” and most people think of Civil War history. That’s understandable. The Virginia town was home to some of that conflict’s bloody battles. And the Confederates’ victory probably lengthened the War.
But first settled in 1607, Fredericksburg’s history goes far further back.
After the Battle of Yorktown, George Washington held a “great reception” at his brother Charles’ home. Built in 1760, it’s now the Rising Sun Tavern.
Their mother Mary lived out her days nearby in a home that the General purchased for her in 1772.
But perhaps nowhere does the march of American history through Fredericksburg come together more fully than at Chatham Manor. Built during 1768-71 by planter William Fitzhugh, the Georgian-style house overlooks the Rappahannock River.
Washington and Fitzhugh served together in the House of Burgesses, and the General visited the Manor during the 1780s. Thomas Jefferson visited in 1793.
By the time of the Civil War, the home had been purchased by schoolteacher-turned-planter James Horace Lacy. He left to serve as a staff officer in the Confederate Army. His wife and children remained until the spring of 1862, when the Union Army, as it had a habit of doing, took over the home and occupied it as a local headquarters.
Seven months before the Battle of Fredericksburg, Abraham Lincoln visited the Manor to meet with General Irvin McDowell and his staff. It is the only building known to have been visited by both America’s first and sixteenth presidents.
Fredericksburg is where the Civil War meets the Revolution.
I fell in love with travel on a trip to Mexico when I was nine years old. Since then, I’ve travelled the globe from Israel to El Salvador. I’ve skied the Swiss Alps and hiked national parks like Acadia, Zion, Shenandoah, and Virgin Islands. I’ve marvelled at masterpieces in the Prado, the Uffizi, the Huntington, and the National Gallery of Art. I’ve stayed in a cabin on a mountaintop in Norway and on a kibbutz along the Sea of Galilee, and been kicked out of the Ritz at the Place Vendôme. I’ve taken cooking classes from New England to the Caribbean, and watched a chef prepare traditional shakshuka in the kitchen of his restaurant in Tel Aviv. I weave historical research and my personal experiences together in writing this blog. I hope you find it helpful. Read more …
I enjoyed reading this! We live about 45 minutes north of Fredericksburg and I always want to find time to get down there and visit, but I haven’t had the chance. Here is my motivation to finally do that….when we are done being quarantined!
Hi, we must be neighbors; I live in Alexandria!
Virginians are blessed to have so many historical sites! I’m definitely adding this one to my list. Thanks!
I hope you get to visit Fredericksburg soon!
Nice little history lesson. Is planters the same thing as farmers?
Sort of, but plantations were much bigger than farms, really like self-contained villages.
Very interesting – I love to learn a little bit more about the places I visit.
Thanks, I do too!
Great flashback in history! Thank you for sharing and spreading more knowledge about Fredericksburg. Beautiful pictures by the way.
Thank you so much!
We also have a pirate history! Governor Spotswood ordered men to capture/kill Blackbeard.
Yes, great point, some of Blackbeard’s pirates were actually jailed in Williamsburg.
I love history! I know very little about these towns, and your post has encouraged me to look more into the birth of our nation. Thanks!
So glad to hear that, our country’s history is so unique and fascinating!
I would love to get here. I have been all around it 🙂 I love historical places when I travel.
Oh, I do too!
I actually live really close to Fredericksburg and had no idea it had so much history. I will definitely visit soon once the pandemic is over. Thanks for this insight!
Maybe we live nearby; I live in Alexandria.
How interesting! We are planning on bringing the kids out east for a educational/historical vacation and this would be a great stop for us to add. Thanks so much!
That’s great; there’s so much history here, and travel is such a good way for kids to learn!
I love history travel! I’d love some tips for specific places / sites to see… I’ve not yet been to Fredericksburg!
I hope you get to visit Fredericksburg soon!
This is really interesting! I enjoyed reading about Fredericksburg.
Thanks very much!
Wonderful history and brilliant writing.