Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fredericksburg National Cemetery

—The Battle of Fredericksburg —

By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

1. Fredericksburg National Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Approximately 20,000 soldiers died in this region during the Civil War, their remains scattered throughout the countryside in shallow, often unmarked, graves. In 1865 Congress established Fredericksburg National Cemetery as a final resting place for Union soldiers who died on area battlefields. Confederate soldiers were buried in cemeteries located at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Court House.

Work on Fredericksburg National Cemetery commenced in 1866 and was completed in 1869. Veterans erected two major monuments here in the late 19th century, and the remains of 300 veterans of later wars were interred before 1945, when the cemetery closed to new burials. Of the 15,300 men buried here, the identities of fewer than 3,000 are known.

Erected by Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park - National Park Service - U.S. Dept. of the Interior.

Location. 38° 17.608′ N, 77° 28.048′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker is on Lafayette Boulevard (State Highway 1) near Sunken Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Located at the south entrance to the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

Markers at the Entrance to the Cemetery image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

2. Markers at the Entrance to the Cemetery

markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Sunken Road (here, next to this marker); Fredericksburg Campaign (was a few steps from this marker but has been reported permanently removed. ); The Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac (within shouting distance of this marker); Fredericksburg Battlefield (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 127th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Fredericksburg National Cemetery (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Fredericksburg Campaign (was about 400 feet away but has been reported missing. ); Col. Joseph A. Moesch (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

More about this marker. The main photo on the marker's right side shows Fredericksburg National Cemetery as it appeared about 1900. On the lower left are examples of the gravestones found in the cemetery. Rounded granite headstones mark the graves of identified Union soldiers. The graves of unknown soldiers are marked by a small square stone bearing two numbers. The top number identifies the plot; the bottom number identifies the number of soldiers buried in the plot.

This marker is duplicated at the north entrance to the cemetery.

Categories. • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil •

Fredericksburg National Cemetery image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

3. Fredericksburg National Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,346 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.