thumb|The façade of Arlington House (background), once the residence of Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee, appears on Arlington's seal, flag, and logo. During the American Civil War, Virginia seceded from the Union following a statewide referendum on May 23, 1861; the voters from Alexandria County approved secession by a vote of 958–48, indicating the degree to which its only town, Alexandria, was pro-secession and pro-Confederate. Rural county residents outside Alexandria were largely Union loyalists and voted against secession.
thumb|The façade of Arlington House (background), once the residence of Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee, appears on Arlington's seal, flag, and logo. During the American Civil War, Virginia seceded from the Union following a statewide referendum on May 23, 1861; the voters from Alexandria County approved secession by a vote of 958–48, indicating the degree to which its only town, Alexandria, was pro-secession and pro-Confederate Rural county residents outside Alexandria were largely Union loyalists and voted against secession.