After the Battle

by American Landscapes

Title

After the Battle

Artist

American Landscapes

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

The serene landscape of Fredericksburg National Cemetery has it's headstones aligned on gently sloping hills, with trees providing shade and tranquility. A brick wall, outlining the rear border of the cemetery, curves along the left side, adding a rustic touch.

In July 1865, three months after the restoration of peace between the states, Congress authorized the establishment of a National Cemetery in Fredericksburg to honor the Federal soldiers who died from combat or from disease while in uniform. The site chosen was Marye's Heights, the formidable Confederate position which had proven so impregnable to repeated Federal attacks on December 11-12, 1862. The cemetery is the final resting place for over 15,000 United States soldiers, most of which are from the Civil War, but there are about 100 20th century soldiers and a couple of spouses. The Union Civil War soldiers buried here include those from the four major battles around Fredericksburg as well the Mine Run and North Anna campaigns. Only about 20% of the soldiers are identified and the cemetery was officially closed to further burials in the 1940s. Notable burials in the cemetery include: Peter Wilson who was born a slave and served in the 36th USCT and killed by Confederate soldiers during a raid into Virginia during the acquisition of livestock and supplies for nearby Contraband camps and the rescue of an estimated 600 people from slavery; Captain Edward Hill, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions at Cold Harbor; and first sergeant William Jones of Company A of the 73rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment who received the Medal of Honor for capturing the Confederate flag of the 65th Virginia Infantry during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia on May 12, 1864.

Uploaded

August 12th, 2024

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags