As with Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello (see post below) there isn’t much historic documentation that I’ve been able to find in regards to James Madison’s Montpelier during the War Between the States. On my trip to the estate this past Monday, I was able to interview one of the guides who directed me to some secondary sources and told me the story of several Confederates who were apparently hung on the premises. The exact location is not known. I was able to find this:
"…during the Civil War (Miller 1990, p. 115-117). The Carson brothers, who had only recently emigrated from Ireland, skillfully used their nationality to declare Montpelier as neutral ground during the Civil War (Miller 1990, p. 125-126). Although quarters for over 4000 Confederate soldiers in Wilcox's Brigade were located just north of Montpelier for the winter of 1863-1864 (Matthew Reeves, pers. comm.), impact to the property seems to have been confined to its use only as a headquarters for Robert E. Lee (Miller 1990, p. 121-123). An 1864 Confederate topographic map of the region is also insightful for forest history as it displays forest cover in the locations of both the NNL forest and the Mount Emerson forests (Fig. 7), indicating that any disturbances to either forest during the years immediately preceding 1864 were minor. Additionally, Major Marion Hill Fitzpatrick, a soldier stationed as a guard at the plantation records: This [Montpelier] has once been a grand and noble place and many traits of its grandeur can be seen yet, but since the war it has been taken but little care of and the beauty of the place, such as the fancy garden, yards &c is almost entirely neglected. (Miller 1990, p. 122) During the Carson brothers' tenure at Montpelier, no improvements were documented in the tax records for the property and the land value depreciated after the Civil War, reflecting both general economic hardships in the South but also perhaps an inattention to the management of the plantation (Miller 1990, p. 121-123). This view was reflected in an 1878 visit by President Rutherford B. Hayes who observed that the "place is not well kept up and is for sale cheap" (Miller 1990, p. 123-124)."
Sources: "Forest history of James Madison's Montpelier Plantation1" Druckenbrod, Daniel L "Forest history of James Madison's Montpelier Plantation1". Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society. Jul-Sep 2004. FindArticles.com. 17 Oct. 2007.
To plan your own visit to this magnificent estate, visit James Madison’s Montpelier. (Please note the house is currently undergoing a major restoration project and will not be completed until 2009. Tours are still available, as well as many other exhibits, museums, and events.)
Updated: October 17, 2007 11:11 AM EDT
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