Chattanooga Landmark
Chattanooga National Cemetery
A hallowed sanctuary established during the Civil War to honor the fallen of the Battles for Chattanooga.
Established in 1863, the Chattanooga National Cemetery serves as the final resting place for over 50,000 veterans, including thousands of Union soldiers from the Civil War. It is renowned for its rolling topography, historic memorial archway, and the monument dedicated to the Andrews Raiders of the Great Locomotive Chase.
The history of Chattanooga National Cemetery
The Strategic Crucible: Civil War Context
During the American Civil War, Chattanooga, Tennessee, served as a vital strategic hub due to its position as a major railroad junction, often referred to as the 'Gateway to the Deep South.' In late 1863, the region became the site of some of the conflict's most pivotal engagements. Following the Union defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, Federal forces were besieged within the city by Confederate troops holding the surrounding heights of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. The subsequent Battles for Chattanooga in November 1863 saw Union forces under Major General Ulysses S. Grant break the siege through daring assaults, most notably the charge up Missionary Ridge. These victories secured the city for the Union and paved the way for General William T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. The immense loss of life during these campaigns necessitated a permanent and dignified burial ground for the thousands of Union soldiers who fell in the struggle to control this critical mountain pass. According to [Chattanooga National Cemetery | American Battlefield Trust](https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/chattanooga-national-cemetery-rtftn), the site remains a primary landmark of this era.
Establishment and the Vision of General Thomas
The cemetery was officially established in December 1863 by General Orders issued by Major General George Henry Thomas, commander of the Army of the Cumberland. Thomas sought to provide a proper burial for the Union soldiers killed in the battles around the city. As noted in [Early Growth of the National Cemetery System — Mortuary Affairs: History | U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum](https://qmmuseum.army.mil/research/history-heritage/mortuary-affairs/Early-Growth-of-the-National-Cemetery-System.html), Thomas reportedly selected the site himself during the heat of the assault on Missionary Ridge, choosing a prominent hill that offered a view of the battlefields. Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs, who was instrumental in the development of the national cemetery system, oversaw the early planning and logistics of the site. Chaplain T. B. Van Horn served as the first superintendent, managing the formative development of the grounds. The cemetery was designed to be a place of 'commemoration,' reflecting the high cost of the 1863 victories. By the time the initial work was completed, the site had become one of the most beautiful and significant locations in the burgeoning national cemetery system, as detailed in [Chattanooga National Cemetery - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattanooga_National_Cemetery).
The Reinterment of the Union Dead
Following the conclusion of the war, the cemetery became a focal point for the reinterment of Union soldiers from across the region. Thousands of remains were moved from temporary battlefield graves at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and various smaller skirmish sites throughout Tennessee and Georgia. This massive undertaking was part of a federal effort to ensure that every Union soldier received a marked grave in a protected national cemetery. Today, more than 12,000 Civil War soldiers are interred at Chattanooga, many of whom remain unknown. The process of reinterment was meticulous, often involving the identification of remains through personal effects or unit records. The layout of the cemetery, with its concentric circles and rows of white marble headstones, was designed to honor the collective sacrifice of these units. As described in [Chattanooga National Cemetery | Civil War](https://classic.tnvacation.com/civil-war/place/3389/chattanooga-national-cemetery), the sheer volume of Civil War burials makes it one of the largest and most historically significant military cemeteries in the state of Tennessee.
The Andrews Raiders and the Great Locomotive Chase
One of the most famous stories associated with the cemetery is that of the Andrews Raiders. On April 12, 1862, a civilian scout named James J. Andrews led a group of Union soldiers in a daring mission to steal a Confederate locomotive, 'The General,' and destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad line between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Known as the Great Locomotive Chase, the mission ended in the capture of the raiders. Andrews and seven of his men were executed as spies in Atlanta in June 1862. After the war, their remains were moved to Section H of the Chattanooga National Cemetery. In 1890, the State of Ohio erected a monument in their honor, featuring a bronze replica of 'The General' atop a granite pedestal. This site is particularly significant because several of the raiders were the first-ever recipients of the Medal of Honor. According to [Medal of Honor Recipients: Andrews' Raiders - National Cemetery Administration](https://www.cem.va.gov/history/Andrews-Raiders.asp), the monument serves as a lasting tribute to their bravery and the high-stakes nature of partisan warfare during the Civil War.
Expansion Through the Spanish-American War and World Wars
While its origins are rooted in the Civil War, Chattanooga National Cemetery continued to grow as a final resting place for veterans of subsequent American conflicts. During the Spanish-American War, the cemetery saw new interments as the United States expanded its military reach. The site also holds a unique piece of World War I history; it contains the graves of 78 German prisoners of war who died while in captivity at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. These graves are marked with distinct headstones, reflecting the international scope of the cemetery's history. Throughout the 20th century, veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War were also laid to rest here. The cemetery's role evolved from a battlefield burial ground to a comprehensive national shrine for all who served. As noted in [Chattanooga National Cemetery - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattanooga_National_Cemetery), the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, recognizing its enduring importance to American military heritage and its architectural and landscape significance.
Notable Features and Modern Status
The cemetery is characterized by its rolling hills and a 35-foot-tall Neoclassical memorial archway, built around 1880, which originally served as the formal entrance. This arch is one of only five such monumental masonry structures built by the Army in Southern national cemeteries, as highlighted in [Chattanooga National Cemetery - National Cemetery Administration](https://cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/Chattanooga.asp). The landscape design takes advantage of the natural topography, with graves stretching to the summits of the hills, providing views of the surrounding mountains. Today, the cemetery encompasses approximately 120.9 acres and contains more than 50,000 interments. Although it was once expected to reach capacity, a recent expansion project has added space for an additional 5,000 interments, ensuring the cemetery remains active for burials until approximately 2045. It continues to be a site of active remembrance, hosting annual Memorial Day traditions that draw thousands of visitors to honor the legacy of those buried within its gates, as described in [Chattanooga National Cemetery](https://www.visitchattanooga.com/listing/chattanooga-national-cemetery/849).
People associated with Chattanooga National Cemetery
James J. Andrews
Civilian Scout and Spy
Leader of the 'Andrews Raiders' during the Great Locomotive Chase in 1862. He was executed by Confederate forces and later reinterred at the cemetery.
Major General George Henry Thomas
Union General
Known as the 'Rock of Chickamauga,' he issued the order to establish the cemetery in 1863 to honor his fallen soldiers.
Montgomery C. Meigs
Quartermaster General
The architect of the national cemetery system who oversaw the early development and logistical planning of the Chattanooga site.
William Price Sanders
Union Brigadier General
A notable Union officer buried at the cemetery who died from wounds received during the Siege of Knoxville in 1863.
Things to know
Andrews Raiders Monument
A granite monument topped with a bronze replica of the locomotive 'The General,' dedicated to the participants of the Great Locomotive Chase.
Memorial Archway
A 35-foot-tall stone arch built circa 1880, featuring Doric columns and serving as one of five historic monumental entrances in the South.
Section H
The specific area of the cemetery where the executed Andrews Raiders are buried, including some of the first recipients of the Medal of Honor.
German POW Graves
A section containing the remains of 78 German prisoners of war from World War I who died while held at nearby Fort Oglethorpe.
Footage filmed here
Licensed, downloadable clips captured at Chattanooga National Cemetery.