Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier facts for kids
The Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier is a special memorial. It is located at Beauvoir in Biloxi, Mississippi. This tomb holds the remains of a soldier from the American Civil War. We do not know his name or who he was, so he is called an "unknown" soldier. He was a soldier who fought for the Confederate States.
Contents
Discovering the Unknown Soldier
How the Soldier Was Found
In late 1979, the remains of a soldier were found. They were discovered on a battlefield from the Vicksburg Campaign. This was an important part of the American Civil War.
What We Learned from the Discovery
Along with the remains, some items were found. These items showed that the person was a Confederate soldier. However, there was nothing to tell who he was. We do not know his name, what unit he belonged to, or where he came from.
Creating the Tomb
Why the Tomb Was Built
Because the soldier could not be identified, people decided to create a special tomb for him. This tomb is located in the Confederate Veterans Cemetery at Beauvoir. It is a way to honor all unknown soldiers.
The Burial and Dedication
The soldier's remains were placed in a cypress wood casket. He was buried in the tomb in 1980. The tomb was officially opened and dedicated on June 6, 1981.
Getting Approval for the Tomb
Before building the tomb, leaders wanted to make sure everyone agreed. They asked for and received approval from many Confederate organizations. These groups included the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The Military Order of the Stars and Bars and the Children of the Confederacy also approved.
About the Tomb Itself
What the Tomb Looks Like
The tomb has special words carved into its sides. Both sides say: "The Unknown Soldier of the Confederate States of America."
Important Inscriptions
At the top of the tomb, it says: Known but to God. This means that only God knows who the soldier truly was. On top of the tomb is the Great Seal of the Confederate States of America. At the foot of the tomb, there is a part of a poem. It is from a poem called CSA by Abram Joseph Ryan.
