Alexandria National Cemetery was established in 1862 and is the second oldest US Government cemetery. When it ran out of room in 1864, Arlington National Cemetery was established.
Introduction The story of USCT burial rights in Alexandria is one of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for equality at Alexandria National Cemetery. This hallowed ground isn’t just a final resting place for Civil War soldiers; it’s a powerful testament to the bravery of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) both on and off the … Read more
In the tumultuous days following President Lincoln’s assassination, a lesser-known tragedy unfolded on the Potomac River. As the nation grappled with the loss of its leader and the hunt for his killer intensified, a collision between two vessels resulted in the deaths of 87 people, including recently freed Union soldiers and civilian volunteers. This is … Read more
Private Charles W. Needham is buried in Section A, Site 875, at the Alexandria National Cemetery. He suffered a fatal head injury during the Battle of Aldie, in a charge led by Captain Charles Francis Adams, the grandson and great-grandson of two American Presidents. Private Needham served in the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry and enlisted at … Read more
“I have seen Him in the Watch-fires of a Hundred Circling Camps!” On the afternoon of June 9, 1863, the Fort Lyon explosion tore through the north powder magazine of one of the largest forts guarding Washington, killing twenty-three men of the 3rd New York Battalion of Heavy Artillery and throwing debris more than half … Read more
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln held a New Year’s Day Reception at the White House. He shook so many hands of the dignitaries, officials, and members of the general public who attended that afterward, he was afraid his hands would shake when signing The Emancipation Proclamation later that day. The proclamation changed the … Read more