February 2025

Echoes of the Civil War still resonate throughout Northern Virginia. To truly understand this pivotal period in our history, look no further than the life of Eppa Hunton. A prominent figure in our region, Hunton played a key role in the Secession Convention, commanded troops in battles fought on our very soil, and later served in Congress. His autobiography provides a firsthand account of the events that transformed Northern Virginia, offering invaluable insights into the challenges and sacrifices of those who lived through those times. This brief sketch of Eppa Hunton’s life is drawn from the Autobiography of Eppa Hunton, which is free to read and download at the Internet Archive.

Roots and Early Development

Eppa Hunton’s story begins on September 22, 1822, on his father’s farm, “Springfield,” in Fauquier County. His father, Eppa Hunton, and grandfather, James Hunton, were descendants of English settlers who arrived in Lancaster County, Virginia, around 1700. Hunton’s father, born January 30, 1789, was a man of considerable energy, serving as an officer in the War of 1812 and twice elected to the Virginia Legislature. He married Elizabeth Marye Brent and purchased “Mount Hope” in 1829 to be closer to the academy in New Baltimore. Young Eppa received his early education in the New Baltimore Academy, setting the stage for his future intellectual pursuits.