Chattanooga National Cemetery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chattanooga National Cemetery
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	1200 Bailey Ave. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Built	December 25, 1863
Website	Chattanooga National Cemetery
MPS	Civil War Era National Cemeteries MPS
NRHP reference No.	96001013
Added to NRHP	September 16, 1996

A monument and graves of Civil War heroes who were part of the Great Locomotive Chase.

Graves stretching up a hill in the middle of the cemetery.

A view across the cemetery towards Lookout Mountain, where a battle happened in 1862.

A plaque explaining more about the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

The main gate on Bailey Avenue.

The Chattanooga National Cemetery is a special place in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is a United States National Cemetery, which means it's a burial ground for military veterans and their families. This large cemetery covers over 120 acres. As of 2014, more than 50,000 people were buried there. It is managed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

A Look at History

The cemetery was started in 1863. This happened during the American Civil War, right after the Battles of Chattanooga. Major General George Henry Thomas ordered it to be a burial place. It was for Union soldiers who died fighting.

How the Cemetery Grew

At first, about 75 acres of land were taken from local owners. Later, this land was bought. In 1867, it officially became the Chattanooga National Cemetery. By 1870, over 12,000 people had been buried there. Many of them were unknown soldiers.

Soldiers buried on nearby battlefields were also moved here. This included almost 1,500 burials from the Battle of Chickamauga. Franklin Guest Smith helped a lot to protect and grow the cemetery. A monument was built in his honor.

Burials from World Wars

During World War I and World War II, some German prisoners of war (POWs) died while held captive. They were buried in Chattanooga National Cemetery. After the wars, the German government paid to move other German POWs here. These POWs had been buried in Hot Springs National Cemetery.

A Historic Landmark

In 1996, the Chattanooga National Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.

Future of the Cemetery

The cemetery was once expected to stop new burials around 2015. But a recent expansion project has added space for over 5,000 more burials. Now, it is expected to be open for burials until 2045.

Important Monuments to See

The cemetery has several important monuments. These help us remember the people buried there and their stories.

• Memorial Archway: A tall archway, 40 feet high, built in 1868.
• Andrews Raiders Memorial: This monument was put up in 1890. It has a bronze copy of a train called The General. This train was stolen by a Union spy named James J. Andrews and his team. This event was part of the famous Great Locomotive Chase.
• German World War I Prisoner of War Monument: The German government built this monument in 1935. It honors the German POWs buried here.

Notable People Buried Here

Many brave and interesting people are buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

The Andrews Raiders

These were the men involved in the daring Great Locomotive Chase.

• Medal of Honor recipients:
  • Private Samuel Robertson
  • Sergeant Major Marion A. Ross
  • Sergeant John M. Scott
  • Private Samuel Slavens
• Other Raiders:
  • James J. Andrews, the leader of the raid (he was a civilian)
  • William H. Campbell, another civilian member
  • Private Philip G. Shadrack
  • Private George D. Wilson

Other Medal of Honor Heroes

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military.

• Master Sergeant Ray E. Duke: Honored for his actions in the Korean War. He also received Korea's version of the Medal of Honor.
• Corporal Desmond Doss: Recognized for his bravery in World War II. He was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor.
• Private William F. Zion: A Marine who earned his medal during the Boxer Rebellion.
• Technical Sergeant Charles Coolidge: An Army soldier, he was the last person to get this award during World War II.

Other Famous Individuals

• Cal Ermer: A Major League Baseball player and a Marine Corps veteran.
• William P. Sanders: A Union Army officer during the Civil War.
• Timothy R. Stanley: A Brigadier General during the Civil War.
• Sammy Strang: A Major League Baseball player and coach at the United States Military Academy.

Other Noteworthy Burials

• 186 foreign prisoners of war from World War I and World War II.
• One Canadian soldier from World War I.