Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, located in Arlington National Cemetery, was the home of the Confederate General in the years leading up to the Civil War. Here, in 1861, General Lee wrote the letter resigning his commission from the U.S. Army to fight for his native Virginia. Restored with furnishings from the period (many originally owned by the Lees), Arlington House provides an intimate look at life before and after the Civil War. Allow one hour to see the house and grounds. Robert E. Lee married Custis' daughter and lived in the house for 30 years. In 1861, he was offered the position of General of the United States Army. His personal connections with the South caused him to sever his military affiliations with the United States and join the Confederate States. After leaving for Richmond, he never returned to the house. Back to Top A wartime law required that property owners in area occupied by Federal troops appear in person to pay their taxes. Unable to comply with this rule, the Lees saw the estate confiscated in 1864. The land was immediately set aside as a military cemetery. In 1882, Robert E. Lee's grandson, George Washington Custis Lee, brought suit against the United States for return of this property. The suit was successful. However, hundreds of graves covered the land, so he accepted the Federal Government's offer of $150,000 for the property. Arlington County