Southwest Quadrant in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Former USCT Burial Ground

Rather Die Freemen Than Live To Be Slaves

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 1, 2015

1. Former USCT Burial Ground Marker

Inscription.

We are not contrabands, but soldiers of the U.S. Army. We have cheerfully left the comforts of home, and entered into the field of conflict, fighting side by side with the white soldiers…

As American citizens, we have a right to fight for the protection of her flag, that right is granted, and we are now sharing equally the dangers and hardships in this mighty contest… We ask that our bodies may find a resting place in the ground designated for the burial of the brave defenders, of our countries flag.

Excerpt from USCT petition to Major Edwin Bentley, Surgeon in Charge, L'Ouverture Hospital, December 27, 1864

This corner of the cemetery was probably reserved for members of the U.S. Colored Troops, some of whom were veterans of battles like the siege of Petersburg and the Battle of the Crater. In 1864, a group of USCT convalescing at L'Ouverture Hospital petitioned for a burial alongside their white comrades-in-arms in the proper soldiers' cemetery. Their request was granted, and the coffins of 118 USCT were relocated in January 1865 to the military burial ground, now Alexandria National Cemetery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1865.

Location. 38° 47.675′ N, 77° 2.973′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in the Southwest Quadrant. It can be reached from the intersection of South Washington Street and Church Street, on the right when traveling south. This marker lies in the Contraband and Freedmen Memorial Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 South Washington Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan

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Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

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 marker: Welcome to Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Freedmen’s Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Graves Under South Washington Street (a few steps from this marker); 1955 Gas Station (a few steps from this marker); Graves (within shouting distance of this marker); Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); First Catholic Church in Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker); Corner of Building Erected in 1960 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 1, 2015

2. Former USCT Burial Ground Marker

of all markers in Alexandria.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 1, 2015

3. Former USCT Burial Ground Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 907 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.