In the spring 2012 issue of Hallowed Ground, the Civil War Trust‘s quarterly magazine, is a two page article showcasing Auburn Plantation in Culpeper County, Virginia. The house is an historic gem with a closet full of stories. My friend Clark Hall considers Auburn the most historic structure in Culpeper, supporting the assertion by saying, “More generals on both sides visited Auburn Plantation during the war than any other home in Culpeper County.”
The house was relatively new at the outbreak of the war, being built in 1855. Between 1861 and 1865, Auburn stood witness to much of the war in the Eastern Theater. The Orange and Alexandria Railroad (and the Carolina Road) runs on the east side of the main plantation grounds. Auburn is on the southern edge of the Brandy Station Battlefield. Both armies camped in the vicinity of the house at different times during the war. In particular during the winter of 1864, Auburn was practically in the middle of the Army of the Potomac’s encampment. In the spring of 1864, General U.S. Grant first met many of that Army’s commanders at a reception held at Auburn.
But of all the stories from Auburn, the one that interests me the most is that of it’s wartime owner – John Minor Botts. Not many recognize his name today, but during the war he was rather well known. Botts was an old Whig politician (not far removed from Loudoun’s John Janney in some respects) and held to many of that party’s platform even after the party was no more. Even though a slave holder himself, Botts opposed secession. Because of his outspoken beliefs, Confederate authorities detained Botts (with out charge) for several weeks. Eventually he was released, or as some might put it exiled, to Auburn. Because of his pro-union leanings and his rather convenient chair viewing the front line of the war, Botts became a celebrity of sorts in the press. Perhaps the best way to sum up the life of John Minor Botts is to consider the quotation on his gravestone, “‘I know no North, no South, no East, no West. I know only my Country, my whole Country, and nothing but my Country.”
Today Auburn stands as a fine example of Greek Revival architecture, in no small part saved from damage due to Botts’ unionist sympathies. Its much more than just another antebellum home. It’s practically a landmark of Virginia unionism. And what’s more, it is on the market. To quote the article from Civil War Trust:
Today, Auburn Plantation, a working cattle farm, is for sale by its wonderful owners. The Civil War Trust and citizens of Culpeper County seek your assistance in helping to identify a purchaser who would be interested in buying historic Auburn Plantation, with its pristine 425 acres, and placing the land under conservation easement.
So, if you’ve ever had a mind to take up residence in a historic home, I’d suggest going all the way – THE most historic house in Culpeper County. If you are interested, please contact Civil War Trust.