The History of the U.S. National Cemetery System

President Lincoln

Arlington National Cemetery

The National Cemetery System was developed as a way to provide a respectable and honored burial location for Civil War soldiers killed defending the Union.  In the Act of July 17, 1862, Congress authorized President Abraham Lincoln "to purchase cemetery grounds ... to be used as a national cemetery for soldiers who shall have died in the service of the country."  This was the first U.S. legislation to set in motion the concept of a national cemetery.

Civil War Graves

Burying the Dead

Before the national cemeteries were developed, soldiers were buried where they fell, at military posts, or the body was sent back to the family for a private burial.  A headboard was usually placed at the grave with the soldier’s name and information either painted or written on in chalk.  Since the wooden markers could not withstand the elements, the boards deteriorated rapidly and burial sites were lost.

Gettysburg National Cemetery

Civil War Battlefields

In July of 1862, the Army’s Quartermaster Department was assigned the task of establishing and maintaining the national cemeteries. After the end of the Civil War in 1865, the program began in earnest – to search for, locate, recover, and identify the remains of all Union soldiers, before re-interment in a national cemetery.  By June 1866, over 1 million dollars had been spent re-interring the war dead.  The Quartermaster General estimated that over $2.6 million would be the ''total cost of national cemeteries, and collection, transfer and re-interment of remains of loyal soldiers.'' The average cost of re-interment for each body was $9.75.

National Cemetery Act

The first National Cemetery Act was passed on February 22, 1867.  It provided funding in the amount of $750-thousand for the construction of national cemeteries, including the purchase of land, fencing and head stones.  The act also set some rules into place regarding conduct in a national cemetery stating, “Any person who shall willfully destroy, mutilate, deface, injure, or remove any monument, gravestone . . . or shrub within the limits of any said national cemetery” would be arrested and found guilty of a misdemeanor.

Headstones with Shield Design

U.S. Colored Troops

The headstone design was subject to several years ofdebates.  Many materials were suggested for use, including cast iron.  Final approval and the appropriation of 1-million dollars was given by Congress, in March 1873 for the erection of a marble or granite headstone, measuring 12 inches high by 10 inches wide by 4 inches thick, with a slightly rounded top.  Name, rank or affiliation was placed in a federal shield carved into the stone.  Headstones for the regular Army soldiers were marked as “USA.”  Stones for the U.S. Colored Troops were marked as “USCT.”  Stones for ‘contrabands’ and civilians were not allowed.

Unknown

Marble or granite headstones for those whose remains were unidentified measured 6 inches high by 6 inches wide and 30 inches deep.  They were marked only with a number and/or by the words “Unknown U.S. Soldier.” Forty-two percent of the bodies and remains recovered were never identified.

Gen. Meigs

It took eight years for the interment of nearly almost 300,000 Union remains into designated national cemetery grounds.  Of those, over one hundred thousand were not identifiable. In 1870, General Montgomery Meigs declared the reburial project to be completed with a total of seventy-three national cemeteries created.  However, more would need to be started in the West where fallen soldiers had been abandoned at their frontier posts.

During the 1870’s several amendments were added to the National Cemetery Act of 1867 to allow the burial of Union veterans in national cemeteries.  In 1872, an amendment was passed to allow “all soldiers and sailors honorably discharged from the service of the United States who may die in a destitute condition, shall be allowed burial in the national cemeteries of the United States.”

Mexico's U.S. National Cemetery

Danville, KY National Cemetery

As a result of the amendments, many national cemeteries were located throughout the country – not just at the site of Civil War battles.   National cemeteries were set up in New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Mexico City, Mexico for those slain in the Mexican War.

Fredrick Olmsted

Landscape architect, Fredrick Law Olmsted was called in to offer his opinion on the appearance of the national cemeteries.  Olmsted advised, “The main object should be to establish permanent dignity and tranquility ... sacredness being expressed in the enclosing wall and in the perfect tranquility of the trees within.”   

Oak Hill Cemetery - Evansville, IN

As a result, trees and shrubs were added to the national cemeteries, flowers were planted, and stone, brick or iron fences enclosed the grounds.  Many times cannons and other artillery were added as cemetery monuments.

Tomb of the Unknown

Arlington National Cemetery

In June of 1881, General Meigs issued a recommendation that “Arlington Cemetery, … be declared and constituted by law the official national cemetery of the government, and that its space, not needed for the interment of soldiers, be used for the burial of officers of the United States legislative, judicial, civil, and military, who may die at the seat of government or whose friends may desire their interment in a public national cemetery.”

Confederate Monument

Unknown Confederate Soldier

In 1906, over forty years after the war, legislation passed that allowed the re-interment of Confederate soldiers in national cemeteries.

Cave Hill National Cemetery

There are now 146 national cemeteries located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico which bear the title of National Cemetery.  Many are on or near Civil War battlefields, or troop concentration points such as military hospitals and campsites. 

The original fourteen national cemeteries, created in 1862 are –

Alexandria National Cemetery, Alexandria, Virginia

Annapolis National Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland

Antietam National Cemetery, Sharpsburg, Maryland

Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois

Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York

Danville National Cemetery, Danville, Kentucky

Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas

Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kansas

Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, Iowa

Loudon Park National Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland

Mill Springs National Cemetery, Nancy, Kentucky

New Albany National Cemetery, New Albany, Indiana

Philadelphia National Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Soldier’s Home National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Since 1862, more than 3-million burials have occurred in national cemeteries.  The purpose of the National Cemetery System remains the same as it did 151 years ago; to provide a proper burial service, headstone, and interment in hallowed ground for veterans, those on active duty, reservists and National Guard members who have, or continue to, serve and defend our country.

~ Joy

Honoring Animals That Have Served in War

Armed Forces

Each November 11^th, we honor and celebrate those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.  This includes veterans who have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

Civil War Cavalry

WWII Vets

But there is one group of “vets” that is usually forgotten during this time – the military animals. These are the animals used to assist the military in combat, and behind-the scenes.  They have been trained to act as scouts, sentries, trackers, messengers, and pack animals; they have been used in battlefield experiments; to guard, carry, patrol, detect explosives, and for search and rescue.

Horses

The first animals documented as used for fighting were horses.  They were originally used in chariot warfare.  But, once the saddle and stir-up were invented, they became war-horses; carrying warriors into battle, offering the rider a vantage point from which to fight and maneuver.  In Medieval times, a knight’s horse was used as a weapon; trained to bite and kick the opponent and his mount. Once warriors and soldiers were on horseback, they organized into a fighting group known as a cavalry.

Military Mule

Military Camel

Horses were not the only animals used in warfare.  Dogs, oxen, and pigs were also used, many times to transport or detect bombs.  Elephants, mules, donkeys, monkeys, rats, pigeons, bats, and camels have also been called into action. Dolphins, orcas and sea lions are now in active use.

Dogs

Egyptian War Dog

Ancient War Dog

Dogs have been use by Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs and Britons since ancient times. They have provided soldiers with protection, acted as scouts, trackers, messengers, and guards.

WW II Soldiers & Dogs

A Belgian Malinois

In the 20^th century, dogs continued to assist the troops. During WW I, dogs delivered messages and communiqués to America’s allies. In WW II, dogs were trained to drag the wounded and dead off the battlefield. During the Vietnam War, dogs helped scout for mines, and patrol. And dogs are still serving in all branches today.  On the May 1^st, 2011 during the operation in which Osama bin Laden was killed, a Belgian Malinois took part in the raid.

Elephants

War Elephant

Elephants Attack

Elephants were first used in battle around the 4^th century BC.  Designated as war elephants, they were trained to charge the enemy, break their ranks, and trample them.  Their use remained the same until the advent of gunpowder in the 15^th century.  Elephants then began to be used as transport for humans and battlefield equipment.

WW I Elephant

WW II Elephant

During WW II, elephants were used to cross difficult terrain, and as heavy labor, assisting crews in buildings bridges, and moving heavy munitions.  Although elephants were still listed in the 2004 U.S. Special Forces field manual, their use is discouraged as they are now listed as an endangered species.

Pigeons

Pigeons in WW I

A Soldier & his Pigeon

Pigeons were first used in the Franco-Prussian War to carry messages past enemy lines. In WW I, the U.S. Army Signal Corps used 600 pigeons in France to relay messages.  During WW II, American and British forces used pigeons to send messages back and forth. The birds were trained to carry tiny capsules that contained maps, messages and cameras.  After the war, 32 pigeons, including U.S. Army pigeon, G.I. Joe, received the Dickin Medal, the highest possible decoration of valor given to animals.

Dickin Medal

Awarding a Dicken Medal

Maria Dicken

Maria Dicken of Great Britain introduced the Dickin Medal in 1943. She created the award as a way to honor any animal that displayed “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with British Empire armed forces or civil emergency services.”

Face of Medal

From 1943 to 1949, 54 animals received the award, which is inscribed “For Gallantry” and “We Also Serve”.  The award is referred to as the animals’ Victoria Cross.

Theo's Medal

The medal is still being given today; in 2002, three dogs were honored for their assistance in the September 11^th attacks.  And on October 25, 2012, the Dickin Medal went to a British service dog in Afghanistan. Theo, an English Spring Spaniel, received the medal posthumously for having located the most improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the war, a record 14.*

Today & Tomorrow

Military Dolphin

In today’s military, animals still play a vital part in security and detection. Along with the usual participants, Dolphins have been used by the military to detect and locate mines, along with suspicious swimmers.

Military Sea Lion

Sea lions have been trained to tag mines, and to cuff unknown divers so that sailors can hoist them up for identification.

Honey Bees

Military Insects

As for the future, it has the look of a science fiction movie; Honeybees are now being trained to recognize the scent of a bomb, and insects could be used to gather or transmit information with a microphone implanted in their bodies.

So this Veterans Day, pause for a moment when remembering those who serve our country, and also acknowledge those paws that help support our men and women on the battlefield.

~  Joy


And in Remembrance:

*British service dog, Theo, and his handler, Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, died during a mission on March 01, 2011.  The two set a new record for bomb discoveries during their deployment time in Afghanistan.