Staunton National Cemetery, National military cemetery in Staunton, United States
Staunton National Cemetery is a 1.15-acre burial ground along Richmond Road in the Shenandoah Valley featuring granite headstones arranged in orderly rows. A stone wall encloses the grounds, creating a formal setting that frames the organized grave markers.
Established in 1868, the cemetery was created to reinter Union soldiers from nearby cemeteries and regional battlefields including Cross Keys and Port Republic. This action reflected the nation's effort to honor and consolidate final resting places for fallen soldiers.
The orderly arrangement of graves and formal design reflects the burial standards established nationally after the Civil War to honor fallen soldiers. Visitors sense the respectful atmosphere created by the structured layout and stone wall enclosure.
The grounds are freely accessible daily from sunrise to sunset without entry fees. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as walking the cemetery paths offers the best way to explore the burial grounds at your own pace.
Of the initial 749 burials, 518 were unidentified soldiers, illustrating the immense difficulty in identifying casualties after battle. This high number of unknown graves makes the cemetery a moving reminder of war's toll.
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