The Marietta National Cemetery is a hallowed ground that tells a tale of sacrifice, valor, and remembrance. With its rich history and solemn beauty, the cemetery is a place of reverence honoring the bravery of those who gave their all for their country.
A Historical Perspective
Originally known as the “Marietta and Atlanta National Cemetery,” The Marietta National Cemetery was established during the American Civil War in 1866, shortly after the conflict came to a close. It was one of the many national cemeteries founded to provide a final resting place for Union soldiers who had perished in battle. At the cemetery gate, a granite memorial is inscribed: “Here rest the remains of 10,312 Officers and Soldiers who died in defense of the Union 1861–1865.”
A Symbol of Sacrifice
As you walk through the Marietta National Cemetery, you can’t help but be struck by the rows upon rows of white headstones, each one representing a life laid down in service to the nation. The meticulous alignment of these markers creates a solemn and orderly atmosphere, paying tribute to the discipline and dedication of the fallen soldiers.
Stories Etched in Stone
What makes the Marietta National Cemetery particularly special is the stories it preserves. Each headstone is more than just a name; it’s a window into the past. Visitors can find inscriptions that reveal the unit, rank, and sometimes even the circumstances of death of the interred soldiers. These personal details bring history to life, reminding us of the individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Continuing the Tradition of Honor
Beyond its historical significance, the Marietta National Cemetery continues to serve as a place of remembrance and reverence. Memorial Day and other patriotic events draw visitors from near and far to pay their respects to the fallen heroes. The solemnity of these occasions underscores the enduring importance of honoring those who have defended our nation.
Preserving History and Memory
In the heart of Marietta, Georgia, the Marietta National Cemetery is a living tribute to the brave men and women who sacrificed everything for their country. Its history, its stories, and its community events are a powerful reminder of the debt of gratitude we owe to those who have served in uniform with honor, duty, and sacrifice.
Address:
500 Washington Avenue
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone:
(866) 236-8159
Visitation Hours:
Open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Atlanta Campaign
“During the Civil War, the fight for Atlanta began in early May 1864 in north Georgia. It ended when Union troops marched into the state capital on September 2. Over four months, Union and Confederate armies met in sixteen battles.
Union Gen. William T. Sherman started with 110,000 troops and Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston with 69,000. Johnston tried to force Sherman to assault fortified positions. Sherman instead used his larger army to outflank the Confederates, forcing a retreat to Atlanta.
On August 31, the Union Army cut the last rail lines into Atlanta and Confederate forces evacuated the city. By the campaign’s end both armies were staggered by losses. The Union sustained losses of approximately 37,000 men killed, wounded or missing. The Confederates lost 32,000.”
National Cemetery
Henry G. Cole (1815-1875), c. 1865, is buried in Grave 1, Cole Section. “The U.S. Army established this 23-acre cemetery in 1866 on land donated by Henry Green Cole. He had moved to Georgia from New York in 1838 to work as a civil engineer for a railroad. Later he became a successful businessman in Marietta.
During the Civil War, Cole remained loyal to the Union and spied for federal forces. Confederate officials arrested and imprisoned him in 1864 for these activities. After the war Cole returned to Marietta, where he lived until his death in 1875. He is buried in a family plot at the national cemetery.”
“Thomas Budd Van Horne, former chaplain with the 13th Ohio Infantry, laid out twenty-one burial sections tailored to the natural landscape of the property. By 1868, about 10,000 remains, including Union dead from the Atlanta campaign and those removed from a discontinued national cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama, were reinterred here. Two monuments were donated—one to the 2nd Division, 20th Corps, and one to soldiers who died in area hospitals.
A stone wall enclosed the picturesque cemetery in 1870. A brick lodge, built near the entrance, was replaced in 1921. The Wisconsin Monument, dedicated on Memorial Day 1925, was the last Civil War memorial placed in the cemetery.
One Civil War Medal of Honor recipient, Dennis Buckley, is buried here (Section G, Grave 6686). Private Buckley, 136th New York Infantry, received his commendation posthumously for bravery at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864.”
