05.13.2014 - As Arlington National Cemetery marks its 150th anniversary, our Gail McCabe brings us a Closer Look at the history, traditions and sacrifices of "These Hallowed Grounds."
May 13, 2014 – Today, as Arlington National Cemetery marks the 150th anniversary of its first burial, it is a scene of harmony and reconciliation.
It didn’t start that way.
Before the Civil War, the property overlooking the Potomac River -- called the Custis-Lee Mansion or Arlington House -- was the home of Robert E. Lee. The house and grounds belonged to Lee’s wife, Mary, and in 1861 the Lee family had called Arlington home for 30 years.
Lee was at Arlington House when he received word that Virginia had seceded from the Union in April 1861. This caused a crisis for Lee, who was a U.S. Army colonel at the time. He had been offered command of the Union Army, and he agonized over the decision on whether to stay with the Union or go with his state.
On April 20, Lee submitted his resignation from the Army. He left Arlington House two days later. He ultimately rose to command the Confederate army.
Across the river in Washington, another Southern officer came to a different decision. Montgomery C. Meigs was a Georgian who graduated from West Point and as a Corps of Engineers officer and had built many of the major projects of the day. Meigs considered his oath to “support and defend the Constitution” as paramount, and when his home state of Georgia seceded, he stayed with the Union. read more>>>
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