Battleground National Cemetery

Battleground National Cemetery is a national burial ground in Washington, D.C., covering roughly one acre with forty-one marble headstones arranged in a circular pattern around a central flagpole. The site also features a superintendent's lodge built in 1871 and two Civil War era cannons.

The site was established in July 1864 following the Battle of Fort Stevens, when Union forces defended Washington, D.C. against Confederate attackers. This battle was one of the few major engagements fought near the nation's capital during the Civil War.

The stone monuments on the grounds honor the volunteer regiments from Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio that fought in the battle. These markers show how specific military units remained important to local memory and identity.

The cemetery is located along Georgia Avenue NW and is straightforward to navigate, with clear paths around the graves and monuments. Visitors should remember this is a place of remembrance, so respectful conduct is expected throughout the grounds.

The grounds contain cast iron markers engraved with the poem 'The Bivouac of the Dead' and a bronze inscription of the Gettysburg Address. These literary and historical texts are woven into the cemetery's physical design, adding layers of meaning to the space.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: July 1864

Architects: Montgomery C. Meigs

Part of: Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C.

Address: 6625 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20012

Website: https://nps.gov/places/battleground-national-cemetery.htm

GPS coordinates: 38.97056,-77.02694

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:52