Antietam National Cemetery - Sharpsburg, Maryland

Address:Rt. 65
Sharpsburg, Maryland
Tel: (301) 432-5124

Commemorate the sacrifice of veterans from throughout American history at the Antietam National Cemetery, the final resting place of over 5,000 soldiers who died during the Civil War and subsequent American wars. The 11-acre cemetery, located in Sharpsburg, Maryland, offers visitors an opportunity for solemn reflection, and a variety of outdoors activities.

In September 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the north came to a tragic end at the Battle of Antietam. In one day, more than 23,110 soldiers were killed, wounded or listed as missing. On the fifth anniversary of the battle, after locals had located and marked as many graves as they could, the site was designated the Antietam National Cemetery. Since then, the cemetery has been the final resting place for over 200 veterans and their wives from the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean War.

The Antietam National Cemetery commemorates those buried there with different styles of tombstones, while preserving the beautiful scenery and surroundings of the site. Most of the unidentified graves at the Antietam National Cemetery are marked with small square stones, listing the grave number and the number of unknown soldiers buried there. Other unidentified graves are marked with larger, more traditional gravestones. In the center of the cemetery, a colossal 44-foot granite monument called the "Private Soldier" depicts a Union infantryman. The Antietam National Cemetery is part of the Antietam National Battlefield, which hosts plenty of other activities, including ranger-guided tours and hiking. After visiting the cemetery, visitors can find a variety of restaurants in the Sharpsburg area.

To get to the Antietam National Cemetery, take I-70 East to exit 29A, then take Route 26 South.