Phoebus in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hampton VAMC National Cemetery
National Soldiers Home
In 1870, the federal government bought the building that had served as Chesapeake Military Hospital during the Civil War. It became the Southern Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the fourth such facility. This Tidewater Virginia site was authorized for Civil War veterans, including former U.S. Colored Troops, who required a milder climate than other National Homes, at the time, located in Maine, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The old hospital became part of a sprawling campus. Its buildings included a theater, library, chapel, and beer hall. Operated like the military, barracks at the National Home had company designations and men wore uniforms. It was initially open to disabled veterans of the Mexican and Civil wars who received pensions of less than $16 per month.
Yellow Fever Scare
In 1899, more than 3,700 veterans resided at the Southern Branch. On July 29 that year, the chief surgeon sought the services of a yellow fever expert. Doctors quarantined the National Home and the adjacent town of Phoebus.
Authorities relocated 1,500 veterans, nearly half of the National Home population. Men occupied tents set up on the grounds while residence halls were fumigated and bed linens were disinfected or burned. The decisive actions by medical authorities controlled the spread of the disease. About forty cases of yellow fever were confirmed at the Home; of those thirteen died.
The Cemetery
An earlier yellow fever outbreak had killed more than 2,000 people in Hampton. Thus, medical authorities and local, state, and federal government officials took an epidemic threat seriously. Though Hampton National Cemetery was just outside the National Home, the quarantine forbade anyone from leaving the campus. Home officials were forced to create a new cemetery on the grounds.
By September 1899, twenty Civil War and Mexican War veterans were buried in the small cemetery, including eight yellow fever victims. The rest died of other causes during the quarantine. Two civilians who died in 1909 and 1912 brought the total number of graves to twenty-two.
Established as the result of a short-lived health crisis at the National Home. The smallest national cemetery has no lodge or enclosing wall. It has been erroneously called the “Spanish- American War” cemetery because the yellow fever outbreak occurred while the United States was engaged in that war.
Erected by U.S Department of Veteran Affairs, National Cemetery Administration.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Science & Medicine • War, Mexican-American • War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Cemeteries series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 37° 1.114′ N, 76° 19.866′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Phoebus. Marker is at the intersection of Harris Avenue and Emancipation Drive, on the right when traveling west on Harris Avenue. The Hampton National Cemetery consists of two separate burial grounds, the ”Hampton Section”, on the west side of I-64, and the ”Phoebus Section,” on the east side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hampton VA 23669, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union Soldiers Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); A National Cemetery System (approx. ¼ mile away); Hampton National Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); The Ultimate Sacrifice (approx. 0.3 miles away); Emancipation Oak (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hampton Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hampton Institute (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named A National Cemetery System (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.
Regarding Hampton VAMC National Cemetery. The cemetery contains more than 30,000 interments, including Union soldiers, Confederate soldiers, and World War II prisoners of war. Additionally, 28 German sailors who perished in 1942 when the USS Roper sank the German U-boat U-85, off Cape Hatteras are buried here. Hampton National Cemetery is the final resting place for seven recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 20, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 7, 8. submitted on February 21, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 9. submitted on February 22, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.