Shrewsbury (Camp Parapet) Cemetery facts for kids

Shrewsbury Cemetery, also called Camp Parapet Cemetery, is an old burial place near New Orleans, Louisiana. It sits on land that was once a military camp for the Confederate side during the American Civil War. This cemetery is used by people from Ross Church and First Zion Church, which are both close by. Sometimes, it's also known as First Zion Cemetery.

History of Shrewsbury Cemetery

The area where Causeway Boulevard is today used to be the front line of "Fort John Hunt Morgan." This was a Confederate military camp named after a war hero from Kentucky. The camp itself was located near Causeway and the river. Many brave groups, including the Native Guards, trained and stayed at Camp Parapet.

In 1862, the Union Army took control of New Orleans. Union troops then occupied the fort and renamed it "Camp Parapet." This camp was very large. It had a blacksmith shop, a grocery store, and even a chapel. Soldiers who got sick or hurt and died at Camp Parapet were buried in the camp's cemetery.

Since the Civil War ended, people living nearby have mostly used this cemetery for burials. The cemetery is smaller now than it used to be. Some land to the north was sold in the 1930s to the New Orleans Belt Railroad.

What Was Camp Parapet?

Camp Parapet was also a big camp for "contrabands." This was a term used during the Civil War for formerly enslaved people who had escaped. Many of these people found safety there. They were hired to work as laborers and helpers. Many also joined the army. They were given food and a place to live at the camp. Enslaved people from plantations nearby often traveled to Camp Parapet.

Between 1867 and 1868, the graves of Union soldiers were moved. They were taken from regular cemeteries and other camps, including Camp Parapet. These graves were moved to Chalmette National Cemetery. However, formerly enslaved people were buried in the camp's cemetery.

After the war, the name Camp Parapet was used for the neighborhood too. Other areas like Shrewsbury, Bath, and Harlem also used this name. Today, the only part of Camp Parapet that still exists is the magazine. This is where ammunition was stored. The magazine is across the block from Ross Chapel.

Who Is Buried in Shrewsbury Cemetery?

For many years, it was common to bury Methodists in the front part of the cemetery. Baptists were usually buried in the back. However, families often have members who attend both churches. So, this practice is not always strictly followed.