In May 1864, the Union Army suffered large fatalities in the Battle of the Wilderness. Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs ordered a review of eligible sites for the establishment of a large and new national military cemetery. Within weeks, his staff reported that Arlington Estate was the most suitable property in the area. The property was located at a relatively high elevation and was typically free from floods capable of unearthing graves, and it was aesthetically pleasing. An additional factor in its selection was likely that it was the residence of Robert E. Lee, a leader in the Confederate States Army, and denying Lee use of his home during and following the war was advantageous to the Union.
In May 1864 the Union Army suffered large fatalities in the Battle of the Wilderness Quartermaster General Montgomery C Meigs ordered a review of eligible sites for the establishment of a large and new national military cemetery Within weeks his staff reported that Arlington Estate was the most suitable property in the area The property was located at a relatively high elevation and was typically free from floods capable of unearthing graves and it was aesthetically pleasing An additional factor in its selection was likely that it was the residence of Robert E Lee a leader in the Confederate States Army and denying Lee use of his home during and following the war was advantageous to the Union