Resaca Confederate Cemetery facts for kids

The Resaca Confederate Cemetery is a special place in Resaca, Georgia. It's where over 400 soldiers from the American Civil War are buried. This war is also known as the War Between the States. Most of these soldiers fought in the Battle of Resaca. This big battle happened on May 14 and 15, 1864. Interestingly, only three graves show a death date of May 15, 1864. The rest are from May 14. A sad fact is that 424 graves are marked as 'unknown'.

How the Cemetery Started

After the Battle of Resaca, the Green family returned to their home. They found many Confederate soldiers buried in simple, temporary graves. These graves were spread all over their yard. Mary J. Green and her sister felt it was important to show respect. They decided to gather the bodies and bury them properly.

Even though money was scarce, the Green sisters wrote to friends. They asked for any amount of money to help. Their father, Col. John Green, gave them 2.5 acres of his land. This land was to be used as a cemetery for the soldiers. With the money they collected and the land, the Green daughters and their mother began their work. This hard work created what we now know as the Resaca Confederate Cemetery.

The Resaca Confederate Cemetery officially opened on October 25, 1866. On the very same day, another cemetery in Winchester, Virginia, was also dedicated. Both groups thought they were the first Confederate cemetery to be created.

Images for kids

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  Entrance to the Resaca Confederate Cemetery

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  This plaque honors Mary Green who created the cemetery

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  This sign describes the creation of the cemetery

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  largest grave in the confederate cemetery in Resaca, ga