Fredericksburg National Cemetery (Tour)

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The Fifth Corps monument honors the men of that corps lost attacking Marye's Heights during the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. Major General Daniel Butterfield who commanded the Corps at Fredericksburg sponsored the monument and the cornerstone was laid in May 1900. The monument was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1901.

2. Grave #10, Officers Row: Urbane Bass

Urbane Bass, Lieutenant, Sanitary Detachment, 372nd Infantry, 93rd Division. Killed October 7, 1918 in France and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions October 1-6, 1918 attending to the wounded under fire. Bass was Fredericksburg's first Black physician after graduating from Leonard Medical School and he offered his services to the US Army despite the military still being segregated. He was reburied in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery in 1921 and was the first burial of an African American commissioned officer in the cemetery. His wife, Maude Bass, is buried in the grave next to his.

3. 127th Pennsylvania Monument

The 127th Pennsylvania was a nine-month regiment, organizing in August 1862 and disbanding in May 1863. The unit participated in just two engagements, the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 and the Second Battle of Fredericksburg in May 1863. Because Fredericksburg was the only field they fought on, the regiment placed its monument here. The Pennsylvania legislature appropriated $3,000 for the project and Governor Samuel Pennypacker appointed a five-man commission to oversee the construction. The monument was dedicated on June 26, 1906 in front of veterans and dignitaries.

4. Grave #772: Oscar Angell

Oscar F. Angell, Captain, Co. D, 10th New York. Enlisted April 27, 1861 at New York City and described as 5'8" with blue eyes and dark hair. He was captured in 1862 at Gaines Mill and paroled in October 1862. He re-mustered into the regiment in January 1863, was promoted to captain of Co. D in March 1864, and died at Spotsylvania in May 1864.

5. Grave #1000: Andrew Courtright

Andrew Courtright, Private, Co. I, 15th New Jersey, enlisted June 28, 1862, died November 23, 1862 of Typhoid Fever. Private Andrew Courtright was the first man to die in the Fifteenth New Jersey, perishing of typhoid fever at a regimental hospital at Stafford Court House, VA on November 23, 1862.

6. Moesch Monument

Colonel Joseph Moesch commanded the 83rd New York Infantry and was killed May 6, 1864 at the Wilderness. Moesch's remains were recovered and reinterred in the National Cemetery in 1887 and the veterans of the 83rd NY placed this monument at his grave. This is one of the few privately funded and unique headstones in the cemetery.

7. Graves #6632 and #6633: Leighton and Jesse Forsythe

Leighton G. Forsythe, Private, Co. B, 4th U.S. Infantry, Spanish-American War, 27 years old. Jesse H. Forsythe, Private, Co. A, 4th U.S. Infantry, Spanish-American War, 22 years old. Leighton and Jesse are the only known brothers buried in the National Cemetery. They died together after being struck by a train near Fredericksburg.

8. Grave #6669: Charles Henry Wissner

Charles Henry Wissner, Spanish-American War. Enlisted in Co. C, 8th Pennsylvania Infantry on June 13, 1898 and later transferred to Co. H, 19th U.S. Infantry. A native of Fredericksburg, he died January 16, 1919 at 51 years old. He has one of the few private (non-military) headstones in the cemetery.

9. Grave #2086: Ira Whitaker

Ira Whitaker, Private, Co. G, 13th New Hampshire. Mustered in September 19, 1862 at 16 years of age. Died January 15, 1863 of Measles at Falmouth, VA and was originally buried at Phillips Farm. He was the regiment's first death and his comrades buried him with a sealed bottle containing information about his identity.

10. Grave #1634: Jophanus Lowell

Jophanus J. Lowell, Private, Co. G, 17 Maine. Age 18, from Farmington, ME, described at enlistment as 5'8" with blue eyes, dark complexion, and brown hair. Mustered in August 18, 1862, died February 11, 1863 of Typhoid Fever at regimental hospital near Falmouth. Originally buried at Mackey's Farm, Stafford, VA.

11. Grave #2616 Newton (Nathan) Ames

Nathan/Newton Ames, first served with Co. I, Ohio Volunteer Militia from April 22,1861 to August 13, 1861 (a three month enlistment). He then enlisted in Co. H, 1st Regiment Light Artillery on September 28, 1861. He was 26 years old at enlistment and described as 5'8" with blue eyes and light hair. He was a Blacksmith by trade. He married Elvira Dingman on April 8, 1856 and they had two children named Delbert and Ernest. Ames died on January 9, 1863 from chronic diarrhea/dysentery.

12. Grave #2345: George Annable

George Annable, Private, Co. E, 12 New Hampshire. Enlisted August 20, 1862 at 24 years old and described as 5'7" with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and blonde hair. Annable died January 20, 1863 of disease (Typhoid Fever or Measles) and was originally buried at Primmer's Farm. Because Annable had no wife or children, his mother earned a pension after his death.

13. Grave #6765: Harry Bankard

Harry J. Bankard, Private, Co. K, 2nd Virginia Infantry National Guard, World War I. One of the last soldiers buried in a separate grave was Harry Bankard. He served in Company K, 2nd Virginia Infantry National Guard and was discharged in July 1916. After his service he was a watchman for the Janney-Marshall Company until he left Fredericksburg to move to Maryland. He died while walking down Princess Anne Street on June 19, 1945 on a visit back to his hometown.

14. Parker's Battery Monument

During the Second Battle of Fredericksburg (May 3, 1863) Capt. William Parker's battery stationed two guns here. When the Union forces successfully captured Marye's Heights the two guns were captured. A descendent of Lieutenant J. Thompson, who had commanded the two guns, worked to place a monument here and this monument was dedicated in 1973. It is the only monument in the park dedicated to Virginia troops and connected to the Second Battle of Fredericksburg.

15. Grave #3028: Eli and Stanbury Hitchcock

Eli Hitchcock, Private, Co. H, 7th Wisconsin. Eli and his brothers, Stambury and Chant, all enlisted together in 1861. Eli enlisted August 29, 1861 and died of disease May 16, 1862. His brother Stambury was killed at Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania on May 10, 1864 and may be buried here or in an unknown grave in the cemetery. Eli Hitchcock had a wife, Emily, and two young daughters (Sarah Ann and Minnie) when he died.

16. Grave #3247: Hiram Lare

Hiram Lare, private, Co. E, 95th Pennsylvania. Enlisted and mustered in on September 21, 1861 at age 21 in Philadelphia. Discharged in December 1863 and reenlisted as Veteran Volunteer the same month. Killed in action at Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864. A close friend ensured that Lare's body was buried on the battlefield, which likely helped ensure his grave was identified in the National Cemetery.

17. Grave #3205A: David Stevens

David Stevens, Co. I, 41st Pennsylvania. Enlisted at 34 years old on March 12, 1862 and mustered in as corporal March 24, 1862. Promoted to sergeant November 10, 1862. Killed at Spotsylvania (Laurel Hill) May 8, 1864 and buried on the field the next day by his two younger brothers.

18. Grave #6688 Charles Sprout/Sprow

Charles Sprout (or Sprow), Private, Co. E, 1st USCT Cavalry (United States Colored Troops). Enlisted December 12, 1863 at Fort Monroe, VA at age 23 and discharged February 4, 1866. Charles was a Chatham slave owned by James Horace Lacy and sought freedom in April 1861. Died February 13, 1926.

19. Grave #5492: Thomas Hill

Thomas Hill, Private, Co. I, 50th USCT (United States Colored Troops). Enlisted January 10, 1865 at age 20 for one year, mustered in January 21, 1865, and served until January 9, 1866. Died at Fredericksburg, VA October 22, 1930. We have five Civil War burials of African-American soldiers and a few from later wars. Unlike some other Civil War cemeteries, these burials are not separated from white burials. Instead, they are scattered around the cemetery.

20. Grave #5076: Thomas Hewitt

Thomas C. Hewitt, private, Co. A, 140th New York. Enlisted August 22, 1862 and mustered in September 13, 1862. Killed in action at Laurel Hill on May 10, 1864 during the Battle of Spotsylvania. He left behind a widow, Mary, and two children: Walter Joseph Hewitt (age 5) and Frederick Thomas Hewitt (age 3).

21. Grave #5079: Morris Ritter

Morris Ritter, private, Co. K, 140th New York. Enlisted at age 19 on August 22, 1862 and mustered in September 13, 1862. Killed in action at Laurel Hill, May 8, 1864, during the Battle of Spotsylvania trying to retrieve Colonel George Ryan from the field. Morris supported his family back home with his pay and after his death his father secured a pension to help support his younger siblings.

22. Andrew Humphreys Monument

This monument commemorates the advance of Brigadier General Andrew A. Humphreys' division at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. The figure on top is General Humphreys and the pedestal lists the Pennsylvania units within the Division. The monument was erected by the Fredericksburg Battlefield Memorial Commission of Pennsylvania and State of Pennsylvania and was dedicated in 1908.

23. Graves #2863 & #2864: Frederick R. Wildt and James E. Clark

Frederick R. Wildt, Corporal, Co. D, 4th Michigan. James E. Clark, 1st Lieutenant, Co. D, 4th Michigan. Both enlisted at age 19 on June 20, 1861. Both killed in action at the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862. Originally buried side-by-side at Genther's Lot in Fredericksburg and reinterred together in the National Cemetery.

24. Grave #2966: John L. Young

John L. Young, Corporal, Co. B, 15th New Jersey. Enlisted July 28, 1862 and mustered in August 25, 1862. Killed in action May 12, 1864 at the Battle of Spotsylvania. 18 year old John was serving as color corporal when he was severely wounded. He managed to crawl behind a log and died with “his hands clasped in supplication.”

25. Grave #3077: Paul Kuhl

Paul Kuhl, First Sergeant, Co. A, 15th New Jersey. Enlisted August 5, 1862 and mustered in as corporal on August 25, 1862. He was promoted to 1st sergeant April 22, 1863. Kuhl was killed in action at the Bloody Angle on May 12, 1864 during the Battle of Spotsylvania. Comrades who found him after the fighting stated that "Paul's body was nearly riddled" with bullets.

26. Grave #3834 Peter Froeligh

Peter D. Froeligh, lieutenant, Co. D, 146th New York. Enlisted at age 21 and described as 5'7" tall with brown hair and blue eyes. When Froeligh enlisted and mustered in on July 6, 1861 he joined the 5th New York, but the 5th was transferred to the 146th New York in May 1863. Killed in action at the Wilderness on May 5, 1864.

27. Grave #3834: Peter Froeligh

Peter Froeligh, Lieutenant, 146th New York. Enlisted at age 21 at New York City on July 6, 1861 and mustered in the same day. He was described as 5' 7" tall with blue eyes and brown hair. Killed in action on May 5, 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness.

28. Grave #4084: William Showers, J. H. Claley, Sunder Ballard, and __ Edwards

This is a unique grave in the cemetery because it contains more than one identified burial in the same grave. Of the four soldiers, William Showers of the 1st US Sharpshooters is the only one that can be connected to more records--he was killed at Locust Grove on November 27, 1863. The other three--Sunder Ballard, J. H. Claley, and __ Edwards--are difficult to connect to soldiers who appear in the unit rosters. All three are listed as members of the 1st USSS with death dates of May 1864; this may be due to their original burial on the Wilderness Battlefield.

29. Grave #4100: Francis O. Lombard

Francis O. Lombard, 2nd Lieutenant, Co. F, 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. Mustered in at 26 years old on September 14, 1861 as 1st Sergeant and described as 5' 11" with light hair and hazel eyes. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on May 30, 1863. Killed in action on November 27, 1863 at New Hope Church, Mine Run.

30. Grave #6698: Jack Butler

Jack Butler, Sergeant, 2nd British Royal Air Force, World War I, served 1915-1920. Butler is the only burial in the National Cemetery for service not in the United States military. Butler lived in Fredericksburg before WWI and returned after WWI. Jack Butler died October 30, 1930 and was granted a burial in the National Cemetery. The cremated remains of his son, Roy Gordon Butler (Corporal, US Air Force, World War II) were scattered here after his death on November 2, 1986.

31. Grave #4913 John Warner

John Warner, corporal, Co. H, 12th New York. He enlisted on April 30, 1861 at Syracuse and mustered into Co. B as a private on May 13, 1861. He transferred to Co. H in February 1862 and was later promoted to corporal. Killed in action at the Battle of Fredericksburg.

32. Grave #6715: Annie Lockhart

Annie Florence Lockhart, U.S. Army Corps Nurse, called into service on April 6, 1918 and discharged June 30, 1919. She served with a Kentucky unit and moved to Fredericksburg after the war where she was superintendent of Martha Washington Hospital. Died of pneumonia on January 1, 1935. Lockhart is one of two women buried in the National Cemetery for military service (the other women buried here are spouses of veterans).

33. Grave #5144: Otis Pinkham

Otis Pinkham, Private, Co D., 33rd Massachusetts. Enlisted July 14, 1862 at 18 years old and mustered in August 7, 1862. Described as 5' 11.5" tall with blue eyes and dark hair, a shoemaker before enlisting in the army. Died at a Division Hospital from chronic diarrhea on May 15, 1863.

34. Grave #5830: Tilghman Jacoby

Tilghman Jacoby, Private, Co. G, 128th Pennsylvania Infantry. Enlisted July 28, 1862 and mustered in August 12, 1862 to serve nine months. Died February 20, 1863 of Dysentery. Tilghman Jacoby had married Catherine "Kitty Ann" Ronig on August 2, 1862, just before leaving for the war. When he died he left behind his young widow and their newborn son.

35. Grave #6145A: Alexander Allison

Alexander Allison, Co. C., 96th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant as the Chancellorsville Campaign began in 1863 and was shot during the Battle of Salem Church on May 3, 1863. Alexander Allison died May 5th after arriving at a hospital near Aquia Creek. Alexander Allison and three of his brothers died during the Civil War, and one other Allison brother is likely buried as an unknown in the cemetery here.

36. Grave #6152: William Branch

William Branch, Private, Co. E, 31st USCT Infantry (United States Colored Troops). Enlisted and mustered in April 8, 1864 in Long Island, NY. Died on May 11, 1865 of Typhoid Fever at a hospital while acting as a teamster detached from his regiment. Early in the Civil War, Black men were unable to enlist as soldiers, but by the end of the war there were 166 Black regiments in United States service, comprising 300,000 men. These regiments were distinguished from ordinary Union units by the title United States Colored Troops.

37. Grave #5422: Robert Sylvester

Robert Sylvester, Private, Co. E, 15th New Jersey. Enlisted on August 4, 1862 and mustered in August 25, 1862 for three years. Died of Typhoid Fever near King George Courthouse December 6, 1862 at the regimental camp, which the men had named the "Devil's Hole." Sylvester was originally buried at Randall's Farm in Stafford.

38. Grave #6742: Admol L. Jett and Admol G. Jett

Father and son buried in the same plot. Admol L. Jett: World War I, Private First Class, Co. K, 318th Infantry, 80th Division, U.S. Marine Corps. Enlisted September 18, 1917 and discharged June 3, 1919. Died November 25, 1940. Admol G. Jett: World War II, Corporal, 21st Infantry, 3rd Division, U.S. Marine Corps. Killed in Action, Iwo Jima, March 1, 1945.

39. Grave #3351: George C. Justice

George C. Justice, 1st Lieutenant, Co. A, 15 New Jersey. Mustered in as 1st Sergeant on July 24, 1862, promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on March 18, 1863, and promoted to 1st Lieutenant on July 27, 1863. Enlisted at age thirty six and was an actor, shoemaker, and lecturer before the war. Was killed in action at the Battle of Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864 and left a widow and seven children.

40. Grave # 3778: Joseph Seiger

Joseph M. Seiger, Sergeant, Co. E, 140th New York. Enlisted at age 22 on August 22, 1862 for three years service at Rochester, NY and mustered in as sergeant on September 13, 1862. He was later promoted to 1st Sergeant. Seiger was wounded three times in Saunders Field at the Wilderness on May 5, 1864 and died the same day.

41. Grave #2915A: Edith Rose Tench

Edith B. Rose Tench, World War I, Yeoman (F), 3rd Class, United States Naval Reserve Force. Graduate of Mary Washington Hospital, Class of 1928. Died November 19, 1929. She was buried November 21, 1929, the first internment of a woman in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. There are twenty women interned in the National Cemetery; only two are buried here for their own military service, the rest are spouses of veterans.

42. Grave #2897: Colonel James E. Crowther

James E. Crowther is the highest ranking officer buried in the Cemetery as Colonel of the 110th Pennsylvania Infantry. Mustered in December 23, 1861 and promoted from Lt. Colonel on March 18, 1863. Crowther was killed in action in fighting at Hazel Grove on May 3, 1863 during the Battle of Chancellorsville.

43. Grave #3615 William C. Morgan

William C. Morgan, Major, 3rd Maine. Prior to serving as Major, William Morgan served in Company F of the regiment. He was Captain of Company F by the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and took command of the regiment on July 3. Morgan was reenlisted in December 1863 as Major and was killed at North Anna May 23/24, 1864.

44. Grave #3306: Moses Humphrey/Umphrey

Moses Humphrey (or listed as Moses Umphrey), Co. I, 135th USCT. Likely an enslaved male from Robeson County, NC. Enlisted at Goldsboro, NC at age 23 on March 27, 1865. Died of Typhoid Fever May 16, 1865 near the Po River, Virginia as General Sherman's army marched from the Carolinas north to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Grand Review.

45. Grave #2448: William Jones

William Jones, 1st Sergeant, Co. A, 73rd New York. Enlisted at age 25 years old in New York City on May 25, 1861 and mustered in as a private in Co. C. Transferred to Co. A on September 1, 1861 and later promoted to sergeant. Reenlisted as a veteran on December 30, 1863. Killed in action May 12, 1864 at Spotsylvania and awarded the Medal of Honor.

46. Grave #2194: Samuel J. Allen

Samuel J. Allen, Private, Co. C, 17th Vermont Infantry. Enlisted December 24, 1863 and mustered in March 2, 1864. Wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864 from grapeshot to the leg and died May 22, 1864 of wounds. It is likely that one of his sons is also buried in the National Cemetery as an unknown burial.

47. Grave #1161: Samuel Edward Rice

Samuel Edward Rice, sergeant, Co. H, 7th Rhode Island. Enlisted August 15, 1862 and mustered in as a corporal on September 14, 1862. Wounded at Spotsylvania Courthouse on May 18, 1864 when a shell took off an arm and shattered one of his legs. He was taken from the field and died in a hospital later the same day.

48. Grave #1177: Samuel B. Wilson

Samuel B. Wilson, private, Co. B, 100th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was considered under age for enlistment, but his parents allowed it and he mustered in February 22, 1864 to serve three years. He and his best friend joined the army together near Pittsburgh, PA. Killed in action at Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864.

49. Grave #814: Peter Wilson

Peter Wilson, Private, Co. C, 36th USCT Infantry (United States Colored Troops). Born a slave in North Carolina and owned by Dr. Turner Wilson prior to the war, Peter Wilson ran away and enlisted in the 36th USCT at Plymouth, NC on July 13, 1863. Killed in action, June 16, 1864.

50. Grave #540: Jerome Pierce

Jerome Pierce, Corporal, Co. H, 36th Massachusetts. Enlisted at age 31 on August 4, 1862 and mustered in August 27, 1862. Killed in action May 12, 1864 at Spotsylvania. Jerome Pierce's grave is one of the most well-known in the National Cemetery due to the long-standing tradition of decorating his grave for Memorial Day.

This Tour is a Virtual Museum or Site Tour.

Fredericksburg National Cemetery

Created by Kathleen Thompson on November 9th 2020, 1:07:00 pm.

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The Fredericksburg National Cemetery, located in the heart of Fredericksburg, VA is a cemetery where more than 15,000 Union soldiers that died in the battles stretching between Washington, DC And Richmond, VA are buried. This cemetery is one of the 14 cemeteries run by the National Park Service. During the Civil War, there were four major battles in Fredericksburg. The Battle of Fredericksburg, Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of Wilderness and Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. There were more than 100,000 deaths within a 20-mile radius of Fredericksburg. US Congress ordered for there to be a cemetery in Fredericksburg in order to give the thousands of casualties a proper burial. Since the Civil War, a few soldiers have been buried in this cemetery from the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.

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Fredericksburg National Cemetery

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