One of the most interesting points of historical interest to all who visit
Fredericksburg is the magnificent old Colonial estate of Chatham,
residence of A. Randolph Howard, Esq., beautifully situated upon Stafford
Heights overlooking the town.
[Illustration]
The house was built in 1730 by William Fitzhugh, upon a small grant of a
few hundred thousand acres from King George of England.
The architect is believed to have been the famous Sir Christopher Wrenn,
to whom is due the adaptation of the English renaissance of the Grecian
period to our Southland needs, and which has resulted in the type now
known as Colonial. Chatham is conceded to be the purest and most beautiful
specimen of the Georgian Colonial architecture in America.
Through its lordly halls have trod the beauty and chivalry of generations
of the most famous families of Virginia.
Upon its famous race-track such horses as Boston, Lexington, Timoleon, Sir
Archy, Sir Charles and hundreds of others fought out their races, while
their owners were guests of Colonel Fitzhugh.
[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO NATIONAL CEMETERY Showing Monument Erected by
Gen. Daniel Butterfield to 5th Corps, Army of Potomac]
At Chatham General Washington paid his addresses to the widow Curtis,
General Robert E. Lee whispered sweet words of love to a niece of Mrs.
Fitzhugh, and the immortal Lincoln reviewed the Army of the Potomac before
the battle of Fredericksburg.
General Burnside established his headquarters at Chatham, and at the foot
of its terraced lawns one of the pontoon bridges were thrown across the
river over which many a brave man passed never to return.