We arrived in Vicksburg, Mississippi earlier than we had planned so we went to check out the Cedar Hill Cemetery. I love cemeteries and their quiet beauty. One of my favorite things to do is photograph cemetery angels and interesting headstones. I am a volunteer cemetery photographer. After taking photos of graves and transcribing inscriptions I post them on Find A Grave. Find A Grave is an incredible resource that helps people to do their family history which I am also passionate about.
Cedar Hill Cemetery is a huge, historic cemetery with graves dating back to the 1840s and it is still in use today. When we pulled into the oldest part of the cemetery the kids were itching to get out and go explore. As the kids and I investigated on foot Hotch trailed us in the van. We searched for the youngest and oldest dead, earliest burials, unique names, beautiful headstones and unusual inscriptions. There are incredible angels and monuments all throughout this cemetery.
These were my favorite "weeping angels" because of their superb, delicate details. I appreciate the time taken to etch lace and dainty flowers on each of them. The artists that sculpted them were truly talented. There was a palpable sense of love and longing near these deceased women's graves.
Another beautiful aspect all throughout the older part of the cemetery was stunning iron rod fences surrounding family plots.
I loved this cemetery! It was a truly peaceful resting place. Look how gorgeous these family plots are. They were fenced or walled off. It was so fun walking up stairs or through gates to check out the headstones.
As the sun set it cast long shadows that crept along the grass toward us.
Loved this family plot and these beautiful headstones. The sunlight looked amazing shining down on them. The Spengler family lost their wife/mother and four sons/brothers all within the years 1876-1879. Such sadness.
The further back into the cemetery we drove the more Confederate flags we saw marking Confederate soldiers headstones.
In 1862 the United States Congress established a National Cemetery System which determined that only "soldiers who shall die in the service of the country" can be buried in national cemeteries. Since Union soldiers were the only soldiers considered as part of the United States of America during the Civil War they are the only soldiers buried or re-interred in national cemeteries like the Vicksburg National Cemetery. In response the Ladies Confederate Cemetery Association or Ladies' Memorial Association created "Soldier's Rest" and re-interred Confederate soldiers who fought in the Vicksburg Campaign. (There are actually three Confederate soldiers that were unidentified and were mistakenly buried in the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Two have been identified and they have remained buried in Vicksburg National Cemetery.)
As we looked toward Soldier's Rest we saw a sea of 1600 white headstones and a beautiful monument dedicated to the Confederate Dead.
The Confederate Dead monument is quite a sight and it reads,
In Memory of the men, from all states of the South, who fell in the defense of Vicksburg during a siege of 47 days-May 18 to July 3, 1863. A defense unsurpassed in the annals of war for heroism, endurance of hardship, and patriotic devotion.
"We care not whence they came,
Dear in their lifeless clay,
Whether unknown or known to fame;
Their cause and country still the same,
They died-And they wore the gray."
Here is a view of Soldier's Rest from the other side of Cedar Hill Cemetery.
It really was neat to visit this historic cemetery.
Hope to go back and photograph it further on another date.
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