

Quarstein rattles off events in the Peninsula Campaign rapid fire, with interjections of, "Oh my gosh," still in awe of all there is to take in.

Along with museums and living history events at Endview and Lee Hall Mansion, there are more than 20 sites dedicated to the Civil War on the Peninsula and a dozen in Newport News, Quarstein said.

"My guess is they just had plenty else to worry about." Peninsula Campaignīy marketing all the sites, museums and various resources together, "the Peninsula could be a top 10 (Civil War) destination," said Quarstein, who works for The Mariners' Museum. "I don't know why they kept it there," she said. There are no signs the Curtis family ever attempted to cover or remove the etchings of the Company C Mounted Rifles, said Laura Willoughby, the city's historic sites coordinator. The federal government left the property to African American families until the Curtis family returned after the war and regained Endview, holding onto it until 1985. McClellan stopped at Endview to plan an assault as he headed to Richmond, and Union soldiers remained until the end of the war. Union troops moved into Endview, including at least one New Yorker with a sharp knife and easy access to the second floor. Magruder for part of the Peninsula Campaign, and Endview - named such because the road to the house treated visitors to an "end view" of the structure - was used as a Confederate hospital until forces retreated to Richmond. Nearby, Lee Hall Mansion served as a headquarters for Confederate Maj.
