Robert Toombs House State Historic Site
🏛️ The Man Who Never Surrendered — Confederate Secretary of State, Fugitive, and Georgia’s “Unreconstructed Rebel” — Robert Toombs House State Historic Site in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia, home of Robert Toombs (1810–1885), U.S. Congressman/Senator, first Confederate Secretary of State, brigadier general CSA, fled to Europe after the war, refused pardon and oath of allegiance, never regained U.S. citizenship, helped write Georgia’s 1877 Constitution, museum and historic site — Wilkes County, GA
Robert Toombs could have been President of the Confederacy — he was the frontrunner until Jefferson Davis outmaneuvered him. Instead, he became the first Confederate Secretary of State, resigned to become a general, fought at Antietam, and when the war was lost, fled to Europe rather than surrender.
When he returned to Georgia in 1867, he refused to request a pardon. He refused to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. He never regained his citizenship. He spent the rest of his life as a practicing lawyer, a political powerhouse, and — as he proudly declared — “an unreconstructed rebel.”
What to See
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| The House | Toombs’ home from 1837 until his death in 1885. Restored with period furnishings and personal artifacts from one of the most powerful politicians in the antebellum South |
| Museum Exhibits | Toombs’ career from U.S. Congressman to Senator to Confederate Secretary of State to general to fugitive to “unreconstructed rebel.” A complex, defiant life |
| Historic Washington | The town of Washington, Georgia, was one of the wealthiest towns in the antebellum South. Several historic homes and sites within walking distance |
The Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1810 | Robert Augustus Toombs born in Wilkes County, Georgia. Becomes a wealthy planter and lawyer |
| 1837 | Purchases the Washington house — his home for the rest of his life |
| 1843–1853 | Serves in the U.S. House of Representatives. A powerful voice for Southern interests and states’ rights |
| 1853–1861 | U.S. Senator from Georgia. Initially opposes secession, then becomes a fierce advocate when compromise fails |
| 1861 | Appointed first Confederate Secretary of State by Jefferson Davis. Resigns after five months, frustrated with Davis’ leadership |
| 1862 | Brigadier General CSA. Fights at the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg). Wounded in the hand |
| 1865 | The Confederacy falls. Toombs flees to Cuba, then London, then Paris — rather than surrender or face arrest |
| 1867 | Returns to Georgia. Refuses to request a presidential pardon. Refuses the oath of allegiance. Practices law without citizenship |
| 1877 | Helps write Georgia’s new state constitution — despite having no legal standing as a citizen. Such was his power and influence |
| 1885 | Dies in Washington, Georgia — still unrepentant, still unreconstructed, still without U.S. citizenship |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 🌿 Georgia spring. Dogwoods and azaleas. Comfortable for walking historic Washington |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | 🍂 Fall color in northeast Georgia. Cool weather. Great for the historic district |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot and humid Georgia summer. Air-conditioned museum. Morning visits recommended |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Mild Georgia winter. Fewer visitors. Bare trees reveal the architecture |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn’t Toombs become Confederate President?
He was the frontrunner but was outmaneuvered by Jefferson Davis. Toombs’ reputation for heavy drinking and his volatile temperament worked against him at the Montgomery Convention. He became Secretary of State instead — and resigned within five months, frustrated with Davis.
Did he really never get his citizenship back?
Never. After returning from exile in 1867, Toombs could have applied for a presidential pardon and taken the oath of allegiance — as most former Confederates did. He refused on principle. He lived the last 18 years of his life as a man without a country, yet remained one of the most powerful figures in Georgia politics.
What does “unreconstructed rebel” mean?
It means he never accepted that the South lost. While other former Confederates made peace with the Union, Toombs remained defiant to the end. He reportedly said: “I am not loyal to the existing government of the United States, and do not wish to be suspected of loyalty.”
🏛️ “I Am Not Loyal — And Do Not Wish to Be Suspected of Loyalty”
Secretary of State. General. Fugitive. He fled to Europe, returned without asking permission, and died without citizenship. The most defiant man in Georgia — in the house he never left.
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