Honoring the Dead: Military Burials
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Transcript of Honoring the Dead: Military Burials
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