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Date published: 12/5/2001
One of Spotsylvania's important historic resources is its Confederate Cemetery.
Before 1850, American soldiers were typically buried in existing cemeteries and burial grounds near the battle site where they died. A precedent was set in 1850 when the United States Congress established a cemetery outside of Mexico City exclusively for Americans who had died in the Mexican-American War. Due to the massive casualties of the War Between the States, there was a crucial shortage of burial space. Because more soldiers died in hospitals than on the actual battlefields, lots were acquired on land near these hospitals. As the fatalities continued to mount, it became obvious that another solution was needed. In 1862, the United States Congress passed legislation establishing the creation of a national cemetery system. Fourteen national cemeteries were established within the first year. By the end of 1864, an additional 13 national military cemeteries had been created. Concerned about the crudely marked and unmarked grave sites scattered over the four local battlefields, Ann Boulware of La Vista plantation led a group of local women in the formation of the Spotsylvania Memorial Association. In August of 1866, they established a Confederate Cemetery on five enclosed acres of land a half-mile northeast of Spotsylvania Courthouse. With very few unknown graves, the association identified and reburied almost 600 Confederate soldiers at the new location. These graves are organized by state of service and the rows are arranged around a circular driveway. In the center of this driveway, at the top of a hill, stands a monument crowned by the statue of a Confederate soldier standing watch over his fallen brothers. The cemetery is located off of Route 208 just East of Spotsylvania Courthouse on the Southern side of the road. The grounds are open to all visitors during daylight hours on a daily basis. Donna Chasen is a member of the Spotsylvania Preservation Foundation Inc. board of directors.SPFI's mission is to preserve and protect the historic and natural resources of Spotsylvania County through education, advocacy and community involvement. SPFI, a nonprofit and all-volunteer organization, was established in 1988 to help preserve and protect Spotsylvania County's natural and historic resources. To learn more about SPFI, e-mail to mail@SPFI.org or write to Box 1875, Spotsylvania, Va. 22553.
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