The Markers
The government issue markers present in Rosehill’s soldiers’ lots, and in other areas around the cemetery, vary significantly, largely because the marker model has changed over time.
Before the Civil War, the government provided garrison commanders and post cemeteries with wooden boards with rounded tops for soldier burials. The markers possessed a simple inscription with a name and a registration number. These wooden markers were used in the first Civil War cemeteries and the newly created National Cemeteries. The five-year life expectancy of these markers made their continued use on the approximately 300,000 soldier graves unpractical.
In 1873, the Secretary of War adopted the first design for stones to be erected in national cemeteries. The slab design of marble or durable stone was to be four inches thick, 10 inches wide, and 12 inches in height. The top featured a slight curve and the front a sunken shield. Inscriptions included grave number, rank, name and state.
In 1903, the model was altered to improve durability. The height of the stone was increased to 39 inches and the width to 12 inches. The model has remained largely the same since, but discrepancies in material and manner of inscription exist.
A majority of the markers in the primary soldiers’ lot were replaced in 1993 by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. The markers in the secondary soldiers’ lot were also recently replaced, but reflect a slightly different marker style.
