Battleground National Cemetery

Address:6625 Georgia Avenue
Washington, District of Columbia
Tel: (202) 895-6070

Commemorate those who died protecting the Union at the Battleground National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The cemetery marks the defeat of General Jubal A. Early's Confederate campaign to launch an attack against Washington during the Civil War. The one-acre Battleground National Cemetery, one of the smallest national cemeteries in the U.S., contains a variety of monuments to pay tribute to those buried there.

In July 1864, General Jubal Early battled the Union's General Horatio Wright at the Battle of Fort Stevens. The battle brought a close to Early's campaign to invade the Union and attack Washington and marked the only time in American history when a sitting president was under fire in combat. Shortly thereafter, the Battleground National Cemetery was established to memorialize the 41 of the 373 Union casualties of the battle.

The Battleground National Cemetery contains numerous monuments to pay tribute to those lost in battle. The entrance to the cemetery is flanked by two six-pounder guns from the Civil War era, and near the entrance are monuments dedicated to units that fought in the battle, including the 25th New York Volunteer Cavalry Monument and the 98th Pennsylvania Volunteer Monument. In the center of the cemetery is a flagpole surrounded by 41 regulation marble headstones, to the east of which stands a marble rostrum used to conduct yearly Memorial Day services, with the four granite pillars dedicated to the four volunteer companies who fought at Fort Stevens. After paying their respects at the Battleground National Cemetery, visitors can find plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance, ranging from fast food to Chinese cuisine.

To get to the Battleground National Cemetery, take I-495 to exit 31A, then continue straight onto Georgia Avenue. The cemetery is located at 6625 Georgia Avenue.

Visit the Battleground National Cemetery and pay tribute to heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend the Union.