Image ID: AILB

Gardner’s Photographic Sketch Book Of The War. Vol. 1, No. 47. Castle Murray, near Auburn, Virginia. November, 1863. On the Warrenton Railroad, is a spot known as Three Mile Station; there are no depot buildings, but for all that it is recognized as a stopping place, and is the nearest place to Dr. Murray’s house, called the Castle, a picturesque grey stone edifice, beautifully contrasting with the dark green ivy, which has partly overgrown it, and situated in a grove, on an eminence, known as Rockhill. Not far from it is the residence of Col. Murray, a much older place, with no pretensions to architecture, but withal a roomy, comfortable farm house, with many fine trees around it. In the Fall of 1863, Army Headquarters were pitched, for some days, on the pleasant slopes, near the latter house; at the same time, Gen. Pleasonton, commanding the cavalry, had his camp on Rockhill, his tents forming, with Castle Murray, a very effective picture; heightened, when of an evening the slanting sun, beaming through the trees, gilded the General’s banner, and tinged rosily the canvas homes. At night, the green lamps, that showed the positions of the General’s camp, would shine mysteriously over the trees, and the band of the Sixth U. S. Cavalry would make the stone walls ring to its martial music.