Fredericksburg National Cemetery Headstones are Unique

The design of cemeteries dedicated to the war dead as we know them today originated in the 1870's, Jean Huets said.  "Most important were the headstones," she said,

At Fredericksburg National Cemetery, the headstones are unique among Civil War type national cemeteries.  According to Huets:

"[Samuel] Bridges won the contracts for supplying marble headstones in every national cemetery, except one: Fredericksburg. There, the stones are granite. Granite being more durable than marble, it was preferred, but more expensive. It is harder, therefore harder to work, and it is heavier, therefore more costly to transport. Only one granite bidder came within the appropriation, Edward P. Doherty, a former cavalry officer who had commanded the expedition that captured John Wilkes Booth."

Read Huets entire story: The Union Dead.

For more on Memorial Day in Fredericksburg, see:

Photos: Memorial Day Ceremony at Fredericksburg National Cemetery

3 Memorial Day Videos

Video: Luminaria at Fredericksburg National Cemetery

14 Memorial Day Weekend Events

Fredericksburg Antiques Dealer Supplied 'Lincoln' Props

Ladies’ Memorial Association Continues 150 Year Memorial Day Tradition

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