Jefferson City in Cole County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Jefferson City National Cemetery

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 21, 2021

1. Jefferson City National Cemetery Marker

Inscription.

Jefferson City National Cemetery. . , Civil War Jefferson City , In spring 1861, Missouri was a slave state divided over the issue of secession. An uneasy peace existed between pro-Confederate state government militia and Union forces headquartered in St. Louis. On June 11, 1861, Union and pro-Confederate leaders met in the city. The conference ended abruptly when Union Gen. Nathaniel Lyon stormed out of the room yelling, "This means war!"

Four days later, Lyon's troops marched into Jefferson City, the state capital. They found that pro-secessionist government officials had departed two days earlier.

The Union Army established a garrison at Jefferson City that operated throughout the war. Soldiers who died in this city were buried on land adjacent to the old city cemetery and Woodland Cemetery.

National Cemetery , In 1867, the federal government purchased the 2 acres being used for military burials from Woodland Cemetery. This tract was designated a national cemetery. Remains were brought here from Chariton, Cooper, Knox, Johnson, and Pettis counties.

By 1875, there were 754 interments, including three civilians and three Confederate soldiers. The narrow cemetery was enclosed with a stone wall, a Second Empire-style lodge was built for the superintendent, and a flagstaff installed.

The east wall was replaced with a wrought-iron fence and the stone utility building was completed in 1937. The rostrum was added in 1942.

Centralia Monument , On September 27, 1864, Confederate guerrillas led by "Bloody Bill" Anderson executed twenty-two Union soldiers returning home on furlough at the train station in Centralia, Missouri. Union Maj. A.V.E. Johnston, with detachments of companies A, G, and H, 39th Missouri Infantry, pursued the guerrillas.

The U.S. forces were outnumbered. Johnston and 121 men were killed. Residents buried some of the dead in a trench grave near the railroad station. Others were initially buried in the nearby town of Mexico, but were eventually moved to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

Civil War Jefferson City
In spring 1861, Missouri was a slave state divided over the issue of secession. An uneasy peace existed between pro-Confederate state government militia and Union forces headquartered in St. Louis. On June 11, 1861, Union and pro-Confederate leaders met in the city. The conference ended abruptly when Union Gen. Nathaniel Lyon stormed out of the room yelling, "This means war!"

Four days later, Lyon's troops marched into Jefferson City, the state capital. They found that pro-secessionist government officials had departed two days earlier.

The Union Army established a garrison at Jefferson City that operated throughout the war. Soldiers who died in this city were buried on land adjacent to the old city cemetery and Woodland Cemetery.

National Cemetery
In 1867, the federal government purchased the 2 acres being used for military burials from Woodland Cemetery. This tract was designated a national cemetery. Remains were brought here from Chariton, Cooper, Knox, Johnson, and Pettis counties.

The east wall was replaced with a wrought-iron

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fence and the stone utility building was completed in 1937. The rostrum was added in 1942.

Centralia Monument
On September 27, 1864, Confederate guerrillas led by "Bloody Bill" Anderson executed twenty-two Union soldiers returning home on furlough at the train station in Centralia, Missouri. Union Maj. A.V.E. Johnston, with detachments of companies A, G, and H, 39th Missouri Infantry, pursued the guerrillas.

By 1868, the Centralia train station burial plot was enclosed by a board fence. A monument inscribed with the names of 122 officers and enlisted men of the 39th Missouri who died in the battle was installed within the enclosure. These remains and the monument were moved in 1873 to this national cemetery between Sections 7 and 9.

Erected by National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Cemeteries series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 11, 1861.

Location.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 21, 2021

2. Jefferson City National Cemetery Marker

38° 34.005′ N, 92° 9.689′ W. Marker is in Jefferson City, Missouri, in Cole County. Marker can be reached from East McCarty Street just west of Locust Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1024 E McCarty St, Jefferson City MO 65101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A National Cemetery System (here, next to this marker); Navy Seabees (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodland-Old City Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); 39th Regiment Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); State Lot (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named State Lot (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Missouri State Penitentiary Warden's House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson City.

Additional commentary.
1. The location of Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery is in fact not in the City of St. Louis, but outside in portion of the suburbs locally called South County. In HMdb.org, the location has been given the name Lemay, the Census Designated Place name.

— Submitted March
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 21, 2021

3. Address by President Lincoln at the dedication of The Gettysburg National Cemetery
This plaque is found at most national cemeteries in the United States.
25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

From <i>The Bivouac of The Dead</i> signage on the grounds image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 21, 2021

4. From The Bivouac of The Dead signage on the grounds

This plaque is found at many national cemeteries in the United States.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 141 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.