Lexington & the Civil War: Who's who in history
Influential figures (and animals) who have left their mark in Lexington
General of the Army of Northern Virginia
Lee served as President of Washington College after he surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. Now called Washington and Lee University, the college expanded its programs under the leadership of Lee. His body is buried in his family crypt underneath Lee Chapel.
Traveller
General Lee's war horse
Traveller was Lee's trusted companion throughout the Civil War. The horse's body is interred in a plot right next to Lee Chapel. W&L students believe that placing a penny on Traveller's grave will bring them good luck.
Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson
General in the Confederate Army
Jackson taught at the Virginia Military Institute before the Civil War. He was known as a great military tactician, and rose to the top of the ranks in the Confederate Army. Jackson was shot by friendly fire at the battle of Chancellorsville, and died of pneumonia days later. His body was returned to Lexington in May of 1863, and is buried in the now Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. Local legend believes that Jackson was fond of lemons, so passersby throw the citruses on his grave.
Little Sorrel
Jackson's calm war horse
Named "Little Sorrel" because Jackson already had a sorrel horse, Little Sorrel was the calmer, more level headed horse in battle so Jackson preferred to ride him into battle. Little Sorrel's hide has recently been restored and is on display in the VMI museum.
President of Washington College prior to Virginia's secession
Junkin was staunchly against secession and slavery, even though two of his daughters married VMI professors, who eventually fought for the Confederacy (one was the first wife of Jackson). When Virginia seceded in April 1861, Junkin returned home to Pennsylvania, vowing to never set foot on Virginian soil again. However, when he died, his daughter Margaret had his body returned to Lexington. He is buried in the now Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery.
Story paraphased from George Warren, executive directory of Rockbridge Historical Society
"General Robert E. Lee's War-Horses, Traveller And Lucy Long." The American Civil War Home Page. Civil War Home. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. <http://www.civilwarhome.com/leeshorses.htm>.
Gibson, Col. Keith. "Civil War Horse Undergoes Make-Over." Virginia Military Institute. 02 Oct. 2007. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. <http://www.vmi.edu/NewsCenter.aspx?id=15775>.
Piston, William Garrett. "Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson (1824–1863)." Encyclopedia Virginia. Ed. Brendan Wolfe. 7 Apr. 2011. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. 5 Apr. 2011 <http://www.EncyclopediaVirginia.org/Jackson_Thomas_J_Stonewall_1824-1863>.
Pryor, Elizabeth Brown. "Robert E. Lee (ca. 1806–1870)." Encyclopedia Virginia. Ed. Brendan Wolfe. 7 Apr. 2011. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. 5 Apr. 2011 <http://www.EncyclopediaVirginia.org/Lee_Robert_Edward_1807-1870>.
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