The Fitzhugh Lee Sampler

The Fitzhugh Lee Sampler does not pretend to be a scholarly paper written by a degreed historian nor does it explore in great detail the Civil War, Reconstruction, or Virginia and national politics. Others have done so quite admirably and thoroughly. Instead this book strives to capture the essence of a great, long-forgotten American in a more entertaining, compelling style. 

After exhaustive research, the author compiled a diverse collection of reminiscences, letters, newspaper articles, and anecdotes to tell Fitz's fascinating story. The reminiscences and some of the letters in this sampler are the work of the author who adopts the persona of a variety of Fitz's family, friends, and associates who share their observations and tell their stories. 

About the Author

Ardyce Kinsley, originally from California, first moved to Virginia in 1961. While living in Evergreen, Fitzhugh Lee's Alexandria home, she became fascinated by the colorful Fitzhugh and began the research which would culminate in this book almost fourteen years later. In 1990, she and her husband Don sold Evergreen and moved to Sharps in Virginia's historic Northern Neck. They are the parents of three grown sons.