Virginia voted for secession in May of 1861. Shortly thereafter, General Irvin McDowell crossed the Potomac River and occupied Arlington House, the former home of Robert E. Lee. By 1864, Union dead filled the existing military cemeteries. Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, ordered General Montgomery Meigs to find land for another cemetery. He chose the 1,100 acre estate now known as Arlington National Cemetery.

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