The American Volunteer

The American Volunteer is a granite statue of a Union soldier standing in parade rest position, rising prominently from the center of the cemetery grounds. The figure captures realistic details and stands elevated on a base that lifts it above the surrounding graves.

The sculpture was created in the 1870s and honors soldiers who died in the 1862 battle that claimed nearly 23,000 casualties. Its construction came years after the war ended, reflecting a period when the nation began formally commemorating its fallen.

The statue sits at the heart of the cemetery grounds, where visitors naturally gather to reflect on the soldiers buried around it. Its placement makes it a focal point for understanding the human cost of the battle through the individual graves it overlooks.

The monument stands in the cemetery grounds and is easily reached from the main entrance. Informational signs throughout the site help visitors understand the context and significance of what they see.

During its journey to the cemetery, the upper section fell into the Potomac River but was successfully recovered without damage. This unusual incident in the sculpture's early story remains a remarkable part of its past.

Location: Washington County

Inception: 1876

Creator: George Keller, Carl Conrads

Made from material: granite

GPS coordinates: 39.45916,-77.74115

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:42