This is one example of graffiti that occupying Union soldiers left upon the walls of Blenheim in Fairfax, Virginia during the War Between the States. This photograph is from the attic, however when wallpaper was recently removed from the main floors of the old Greek Revival farmhouse, graffiti was discovered everywhere. This “Soldier’s Lament” records:
4th Month
No money
No whiskey
No Friends
No Rations
No Peas
No Beans
No Pants
No Patriotism (underlined)
“Blenheim,” located at 3610 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, Virginia, is a brick home built by REZEN WILLCOXON about 1858, to replace an earlier frame dwelling. This 12-acre former farm, includes a cemetery for several generations of the Willcoxon family who lived here. Blenheim is renown for its outstanding examples of Civil War soldier graffiti. It is currently being restored. The day we were there, a recent tropical storm had left many downed trees, but no damage to the structures.
The image, Soldier Graffiti, was originally uploaded by Edna Barney. It is posted here from Barneykin’s 
account.
Visit Neddy’s Archives for more of Edna’s writings.
As an Oral Storyteller history is the story of people and their effecs on time and places. This is a story of both. Also an interesting place to start a Civil War Story.