Confederate Cemetery at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE BATTLEFIELD TOUR

STOP 4: CONFEDERATE CEMETERY

Allow 10 minutes for a visit

The fourth stop on the tour of Appomattox Court House battlefield is at the Confederate Cemetery. This is the first stop west of the Appomattox Court House town site, and you can actually walk to it by taking the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road, the dirt road that runs through the middle of the town. The cemetery does have its own parking lot, so driving is also an option. This parking lot is not gated, so if you wish to walk around the town after 5 PM (park grounds are open until dusk), this is the closest place to park. The town site parking lot is gated and locked after 5 PM.

The Confederate Cemetery was created in 1866 by the Ladies Memorial Association of Appomattox, which eventually became part of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The cemetery is still maintained and owned by this organization. No federal or state funds are received for maintenance, so visitor donations are welcome. A sign at the cemetery gives the address for those who would like to contribute.

Only about 100 men were killed in the Battle of Appomattox Court House, and all of the 19 men in the cemetery died during the fighting. Twelve of them are unknown. All are men who were not claimed by relatives, or in the case of the unknown soldiers, no relatives could be contacted about their deaths. One of the graves is that of a Union soldier.

All of the known men had been fighting in the Civil War for at least three years. Jesse Hutchins of Alabama enlisted three days after the war began on April 12, 1861, when Fort Sumter was attacked. Imagine surviving the entire war just to get killed on the very last day of service.

Memorial at the Confederate Cemetery, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

The cannon and caisson (artillery supply wagon) just west of the cemetery mark the position of Union lieutenant James Lord’s two-gun artillery battery. Accompanied by the 1st Maine Cavalry commanded by General Charles Smith, the two arrived at this location early in the Battle of Appomattox Court House and blocked the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road, Lee’s route to the railroad junction at Appomattox Station two miles to the west. Lord’s position was overrun, and the Confederates captured both of his cannon. However, his blocking the road delayed the Confederate advance, allowing more Union troops to arrive into the area.