Grafton National Cemetery a place to ponder Civil War

Posted on April 21, 2011 by civilwarweek

Railroad tracks at Grafton, West Virginia today.

GRAFTON, W.Va. (AP) — Historians say it’s important to remember Civil War soldiers were real people whose lives remain relevant today. And they say Grafton National Cemetery is a good place to do it.

Chad Proudfoot of the West Virginia Historical Society says the soldiers were fighting for a cause they believed in, and that’s a timeless value.

The cemetery was created in 1867. Shepherd University history professor Mark Snell tells West Virginia Public Broadcasting that Grafton was chosen because of its proximity to battles.

The town was also a major stop on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

Among the monuments is a 12-foot obelisk that looks like it was draped in a flag.

It’s in memory of Pvt. Thornsbury Bailey Brown, the first Union soldier killed by hostile fire on May 22, 1861.

About civilwarweek

Member - Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force, Civil War reenactor and historian since 1993, holds Bachelor's Degree in History from Concordia University-St. Paul, currently pursuing Master's Degree in History at St. Cloud State University and is author of the forthcoming book, "Muskets and Memories: A Modern Man's Journey through the Civil War."
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One Response to Grafton National Cemetery a place to ponder Civil War

  1. Pingback: On This Date in History - May 22, 1861 - 1st Union Casualty of Civil War | thisweekinthecivilwar

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