Lewisburg in Greenbrier County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Confederate Cemetery

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 27, 2009

1. Confederate Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Remains of 95 unknown Confederate soldiers who fought in the Battle of Lewisburg on 23 May 1862 lie in this cross shaped common grave. It has an upright 80 feet long and cross arms of 40 feet. After the Civil War the unclaimed dead were removed from the Lewisburg Cemetery and reburied in this common grave. The bronze marker which serves as a headstone was provided by the Federal Government on 13 November 1956.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1862.

Location. 37° 48.127′ N, 80° 27.094′ W. Marker is in Lewisburg, West Virginia, in Greenbrier County. It can be reached from McElhenny Road 0.3 miles west of Church Street. Marker is at the cemetery off McElhenny Road; entrance is well-marked and there is parking at the end of the lane. The cemetery can also be reached on foot from Washington Street near Courtney Drive. A mowed trace through the woods to the cemetery begins there. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewisburg WV 24901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battle of Lewisburg (here, next to this marker); Lewisburg (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Lewisburg (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); Dick Pointer Monument (about 800 feet away); Dick Pointer (approx. 0.2 miles away); Big Lime (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Lewisburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Lewisburg (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewisburg.

Photographed by Forest McDermott, May 25, 2012

2. Confederate Cemetery Marker

Marker is in center of photo next to fence.

Common Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 27, 2009

3. Common Grave

Part of the raised cross-shaped common grave.

1956 Brass Marker At Head Of Cross image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 27, 2009

4. 1956 Brass Marker At Head Of Cross

Here rest the remains of approximately 95 unknown Confederate soldiers killed or died of disease and wounds in the Battle of Lewisburg

Lewisburg WV Confederate Burial Ground – A Poem image. Click for full size.

Photograph by J.J. Prats, September 14, 2019

5. Lewisburg WV Confederate Burial Ground – A Poem

This small tablet is affixed to a boulder placed in the median of the cemetery’s parking lot. It it inscribed with a poem attributed to Confederate Chaplain the Reverend Randolph Harrison McKim, which reads

Not for fame or reward,
Not for place or for rank—
Not lured by ambition
Or goaded by necessity—
But in simple
Obedience to duty—
As they understood it.
These men suffered all—
Sacrificed all—
Dared all — and died.

It is signed, “This poem placed in loving remembrance of patriots who died far from home. Rest in Peace.”

Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,838 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 17, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 29, 2012, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on August 17, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 5. submitted on October 10, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.