East End near Richmond in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Section

Photographed by Charles R. Robbins, Jr., July 17, 2005

1. Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Section Marker

Inscription. After the First Battle of Manassas, Richmond appropriated this approximately 7.5 - acre lot on 12 Aug. 1861 for burial of Confederate war dead. These Soldiers from every Southern state either died in Richmond's military hospitals, such as Chimborazo, or were brought directly from local battlefields. Eventually they numbered about 17,200, including some 8,000 unknowns. The first recorded Memorial Day observance in Richmond occurred here on 10 May 1866, organized by the Ladies' Memorial Association for Confederate Dead in Oakwood Cemetery. Robert E. Lee, invited to speak, declined but wrote, "The graves of Confederate dead will always be green in my memory, and their deeds be hallowed in my recollection."

Erected 2003 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA--64.)

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 Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1866.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 37° 32.065′ N, 77° 23.787′ W. Marker was near Richmond, Virginia, in Henrico County. It was

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in East End. It was at the intersection of East Richmond Road and Oakwood Avenue, on the right when traveling west on East Richmond Road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Richmond VA 23223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Oakwood Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Burying Ground – For Colored Paupers (approx. 0.4 miles away); Evergreen Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Trailblazers of a New Era (approx. 0.6 miles away); 600 N. 29th St. (approx. 0.9 miles away); Nine Mile Road (approx. 0.9 miles away); 3420 East Broad Street (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Dabb House (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Dabbs House (was approx. one mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Section image. Click for full size.

July 18, 2003

2. Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Section

Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Section Monument image. Click for full size.

July 18, 2003

3. Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Section Monument

Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Section Tablet image. Click for full size.

July 18, 2003

4. Oakwood Cemetery Confederate Section Tablet

This ground is the last bivouac of 17,00 Confederate soldiers slain in defence of the South. In gratitude for their devotion the Commonwealth of Virginia by act of the Assembly of 1930 has provided perpetual care for their graves, a sacred trust which the City of Richmond has accepted.

Graves of Confederate soldiers in Oakwood Cemetery, with board markers. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Reekie, 1865

5. Graves of Confederate soldiers in Oakwood Cemetery, with board markers.

Library of Congress [LC-B815- 931]

Soldiers' Monument (Oakwood Cemetery), Richmond, Va. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Southern Bargain House, Richmond, Va., circa 1911

6. Soldiers' Monument (Oakwood Cemetery), Richmond, Va.

Around this granite shaft is buried 16,000 Confederate Soldiers who fell at Malvern Hill and other battle fields adjacent to Richmond. The valor and devotion to the 'Lost Cause' of this silent army have been recorded on many a [pages] of deathless glory. VCU Libraries Digital Collections - Rarely Seen Richmond

Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2009, by Charles R. Robbins, Jr. of Rock Hill, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,240 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on January 6, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 18, 2009, by Charles R. Robbins, Jr. of Rock Hill, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 21, 2009. 5. submitted on November 2, 2009. 6. submitted on May 10, 2012. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.