In June of 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, Union cavalry under the command of General David Hunter raided through this part of Virginia and stopped for the night here at the Burwell home. Later, as Hunter continued his raid into Lynchburg to the east of Bedford, he was repulsed by Confederated forces led by
General Early, who also stopped here with his men during the pursuit.

General Robert E. Lee and his wife also lodged here at the Burwell home while on a visit to Bedford (then known as Liberty, Virginia), so it is an historic landmark.