Mount Vernon during the Civil War was privately held, as it is today, by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. During the Civil War is was declared neutral territory by both the North and South.
Those fighting for the Confederacy viewed him as a native son of Virginia, which formally voted to secede from the United States in a referendum held on May 23, 1861. Soldiers fighting for the Union viewed Washington as the father of the country they were fighting to preserve.
Soldiers from both sides were welcome to visit the home of Washington but the MVLA requested that they lay down their arms and cover their uniforms.
What you can find today around the Mount Vernon estate is graffiti from soldiers' visits. It can be found in the Mansion, on Washington's Tomb, and on trees throughout. Some markings indicate where the solider was from or what unit they were part of.
You can learn more on our website: