Quarters No. 1 at Fort Monroe National Monument
FORT MONROE WALKING TOUR
STOP 6: QUARTERS NO. 1
Quarters #1 was constructed in 1819 and is the oldest building within the walls of Fort Monroe. During the Civil War it was the headquarters of Major General Benjamin Butler, the commander of the fort. Butler is most famous for not returning three run-away slaves to their southern owner. The owner claimed the slaves should be returned as outlined by the Fugitive Slave Act. Butler countered that since Virginia was no longer part of the United States that the law did not apply to it and that the slaves were therefore “contrabands of war.” Word got out and every run-away slave in the area tried to reach Fort Monroe.
This is also the building that President Abraham Lincoln stayed in when he visited the fort from May 6-11, 1862. The plan to attack Norfolk, Virginia, was hatched here.
Continue down the street to the next stop on the walking tour.
Next Stop: Battery Gatewood | Previous Stop: Lincoln Gun
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Last updated on November 3, 2024
