fredericksburg national cemetery

Walking through the cemetery and understanding the impact of the battle that accounts for the bodies here, along with the magnitude of the gravestones, leads one to be reverent, reflective, and humbled by anyone that fought for the country that we live in today!

Arrived at this cemetery at the end of the Sunken Road walking tour. It is beautiful and peaceful here. However, it is overwhelming to realize how many unidentified soldiers are buried here, sometimes as many as 5 per plot. We spent time walking and reading the different markers.

Stopped by the cemetery at the end of sunken road walking tour. Interesting to see all the unlabeled graves. My son stated "it hurts my heart to see all these graves". If you hope to get a view of town, no luck. Too many trees. Chantham has the view.

The area is a quiet park with a small museum, history about the battlefield, and the cemetery on a hill. I like to take long quiet walks there, just thinking and meditating.

I have spent a lot of time here because I am a volunteer for the Find a Grave webs site in taking pictures of markers. It is absolutely beautiful especially on military holidays when they have the flags on each marker. The Park Service personnel are very helpful in telling you not only about this cemetery but the surrounding ones as well and of course the battlefields. The short film is very interesting if you have little or no knowledge of the Battle of Fredericksburg. To think of the destruction during the war and seeing it now. As a service member I was transferred to Fort A. P. Hill (yes Army) in 1985 and was informed to settle in Stafford County because of the school. At this time many of the downtown businesses moved to a new mall or closed. I have to say that the government body of Fredericksburg during the past 25 years has done an outstanding job in keeping the downtown area alive. It's not to far from the cemetery. While there is no fee for the cemetery there is a small fee for the movie and of course they will gladly accept donations. There is also a tour offered.

Sad and speechless walking through the graves and realizing that only 3,00 of the 35,000 buried there are identified. Civil War robed a lot of families of their sons, brothers, neighbors and husbands.

Heartbreaking to know that so many union soldiers lost their lives in December 1863. Also, to walk through the cemetery and see so many unmarked graves, only 15% of the men buried there have been identified.

A perfect resting place for a National Cemetery. The initial walk is a bit steep, but after that the serene atmosphere invites a quiet stroll through the stones. An awe inspiring luminary is created by the Boy Scouts and Park Service every Memorial Day weekend. It begins at sundown, taps are played every hour and tours through the cemetery tell notable stories abut some buried there.

The visitor's center at the Fredericksburg National Cemetary gives a great overview of the battle along with a short movie. Even if you knew nothing about the battle the information provided here in thirty minutes or less will give you a good knowledge and let you better appreciate what you are looking at while touring. The self-guided walking tour of the sunken road and cemetary shouldn't be skipped. Actually standing behind the stone walls alongside the road and looking out over the landscape below gives you a better understanding of what actually happened here. The walk to the top of the hill is not strenous at all and the views from the spot where the Confederate artillery was located is great.

Hubby and I are both interested in Civil War history, so this battle site was a must see. Nearing the hill, you can almost feel the enormity of the events that occurred 150 years ago. I was astonished to learn that more than 20,000 are buried here, but that the identities are known for only 3000 of those who died. Visitors are free to amble past each somber row of tombstones and pay their respects at the gravesides of those fortunate enough to be named. This area isn't wheelchair accessible, as it's situated on a fairly steep hill, with steep stairs leading to the top.You can also walk the Sunken Road, adjacent to the cemetery and absorb some history of the Battle of Fredericksburg. Free parking is plentiful behind the Visitor Center, and there's no admission fee. The gates close at dusk. Civil War devotees shouldn't miss this important site.

This was my second visit to Fredericksburg National Cemetery, along the Sunken Road, and I can't imagine not visiting this significant location. It takes little imagination to ponder the souls of the interred here and like all of old town Fredericksburg, the knowledge of walking in the steps of the past is prevalent throughout. I did note that from my previous visit some 21 years ago, the cemetery grounds weren't as well cared for (it needed desperately to be mowed). Our teens enjoyed climbing down the steep steps and the photos I took of them at a slight distance, give the appearance that they were ready to leap off an edge of the hill.

The cemetery is part of the self-guided walking tour of the Sunken Road. The story of the Sunken Road is interesting and shows the ineptitude of Gen. Burnside. Walking through the Cemetery gives a good perspective on the Confederate position during the battle. My excellent rating reflects the visit to the Battlefield Visitor Center & the tour of the Sunken Road.

the cemetary being situated on top of Marye's heights is both historic, scenic and hallowed - short walk from the visitor center and well worth the small climb up the hill

Unfortunately we visited Fredericksburg National Battlefield & Cemetery during reconstruction...I can only imagine how it will be when it is completed....Amazing to walk in the footsteps of Civil War history.

I honor the men who died, but unless I am an descendant of one of them I just don't get visiting a cemetery. But then I don't like ghost tours, either.