Historic Military Headstones

The familiar white marble military headstones known throughout the country were not typical until about 150 years ago. Prior to the Civil War, the graves of US soldiers who died (usually on the frontier) were marked with wooden boards with a rounded top. These were labeled with a registration number or inscription. During this era, there was no centralized system for recording burials.

While this sufficed for the frontier, it was not up to the demands of America's bloodiest conflict.

Shortly after the first battle of Bull Run (aka Manassas), the War Department issued a General Order which made the commanders responsible for burials and marking graves. In the same directive, the Quartermaster General of the Army was directed to provide headboards, blank books and forms for the preservation of burial records. This was the first organized system for marking graves.

Soldiers in the Union Army were issued markers in one of three different sizes, ranging from 10-13 inches wide and 39-42 inches high. All were only three inches thick. The inscriptions were all in relief, over a recessed shield.

Historic Military Headstones	Example
Civil and Spanish American War Era markers The markers carved and set prior to World War I often had recessed shields that surrounded the solider's name. This is an example of a marker from this era, for a US or Union soldier.
Modern version of civil and Spanish American War Era markers Should a civil War era marker need to be replaced, the Veterans Administration will make a stone with a shield shape around the text, but, it is not exactly the same style as the historical markers. It looks like this sample.
Confederate soldiers Markers for the burial places of confederate soldiers are different from their Union counterparts. They have angled tops, and are marked at the top with the confederate cross. This is a modern remake of this historical marker type.

Should a replacement marker need to be requested, the guidelines for replacing military headstones as well as a toll free number to call for guidance, are provided on the VA website.

SBI!