DNAHonoring the Dead: Military Burialsby Amy Johnson Crow

Background: National Cemeteries

• The first national cemeteries were created in the summer of 1861

• It was common for soldiers to be buried near the battlefield, then later re-buried in a national cemetery

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Example: Stones River National Cemetery

• Created in 1864

• In 1865 and 1866, the 111th U.S. Colored Troops disinterred bodies at Stones River, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Shelbyville, Tullahoma, and Cowan and re-interred them at Stones River National Cemetery

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Large Number of Unknowns

• Due to battlefield conditions, many soldiers were never identified; others lost their identities due to poor record-keeping.

• Approximately ½ of Union soldiers buried in national cemeteries are unidentified.

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Government-Issued Headstones

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Government-Issued Tombstones

• 1861 – Federal government begins to mark the graves of those who died in service. Original markers were wooden boards.

• 1873 – Federal government begins issuing marble tombstones.

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Government-Issued Tombstones

• Earliest government-issued tombstones were for Union soldiers.

• Rounded top

• Inscribed shield; letters in relief

• Listed:– Name– State– Grave number

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Stones River National Cemetery, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Replacement Tombstones Are a Bit Different

• The shield is only outlined.

• Letters are inscribed, not in relief.

• Includes regiment and date of death.

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Knoxville National Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee

Confederate Tombstones

• Pointed top

• “C.S.A.” regiment (Confederate States of America)

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Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio

Spanish-American War

• Has the same inscribed shield as for Union veterans

• Adds “Sp. Am. War”– Note: sometimes that

phrase is missing.

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Maple Grove Cemetery, Delaware County, Ohio

World War I and Later

• Name

• Rank

• State

• Division

• Date of Death– Sometimes date of birth

• Emblem of Religious Belief

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Maple Grove Cemetery, Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky

Pre-Civil War Veterans

• Depending on when it was placed, it is styled either like a Civil War/Spanish-American War stone (with a shield) or like a WWI and later stone

• The marker for this War of 1812 veteran is styled like a modern tombstone

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Loudonville Cemetery, Ashland County, Ohio

Modern Tombstones

• Same general style since WWI

• Modern ones have more choices for the religious beliefs emblem

• Can have a personalized message

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Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville, Medina County, Ohio

“In Memory Of”

• The Veterans Administration uses “In Memory Of” on tombstones when the body was:

– Not buried at this location

– Not recovered– Buried at sea– Donated to science– Cremated, ashes

scattered

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Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana

Clues From Non-Government Tombstones

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Clues About Service

• Tombstones sometime spell out the service.

• This one notes that Thomas Griffith was in the 310th Squadron of the 9th Army Air Force.

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Union Grove Cemetery, Canal Winchester, Franklin County, Ohio

Clues for Service

• Sometimes the service is implied

• Note the death on this stone: “Died at Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 16, 1862”

• Question: Why would a young man buried in Fort Wayne, Indiana have died in Memphis, Tennessee in 1862?

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Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana

Look for Military Symbols

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Crossed swords & tassels

Flags, shield, rifles & cannon

Be Cautious About Anchors

• Anchors often used as a symbol of hope

• Should not be taken as a sign of naval service

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Military Organizations Shown on Tombstones

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Grand Army of the Republic (Union veterans)

American Legion

Be Careful With Flag Holders and Metal Markers

• They can be a good clue, but they are also movable.

• Sometimes end up in front of the wrong grave.

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Southern Cross of Honor