The Resaca Confederate Cemetery was founded on October 25, 1866. Four hundred and fifty soldiers are buried here and four hundred and twenty four are unknown. So sad that there are that many unknown........This cemetery and one in Winchester, Virginia were both dedicated on the same day, with each group thinking that they were the first confederate cemetery.
This particular cemetery is designated for the soldiers that fought in the... Battle of Resaca which took place May 14 and 15, 1864. The Green family returned home after the battle and were in disbelief make shift graves scattered all over the yard at their plantation home. The dead were buried hastily by the Confederates who did not have time to properly bury the dead during the Civil War. Some of the graves didn't have enough dirt to cover the bodies and bones were protruding out of the ground. Mary J. Green was struck by a sense of duty and wanted to give the fallen soldiers a proper burial.
She published several articles in the local Southern newspapers and asked many of their friends for donations. She raised $2,000 dollars. A large amount during that time. She also went to the Georgia assembly and legislature raising an additional $3,500. Her father donated 2.5 acres of land for the cause.
Her mother, sister, and several servants helped her gather the bodies. The cemetery is arranged with the unknown soldiers in the center of the cemetery in a circular pattern around a large granite cross. The remained dead that could be identified are buried on the outer perimeter of the circle . The graves are organized by state and are in sections.
Only one woman and non soldier is buried there. Mrs. E.J. Simmons of Calhoun, Georgia. She was president of the historical society who made improvements to the cemetery and had a stone monument placed in the cemetery that reads...........
This particular cemetery is designated for the soldiers that fought in the... Battle of Resaca which took place May 14 and 15, 1864. The Green family returned home after the battle and were in disbelief make shift graves scattered all over the yard at their plantation home. The dead were buried hastily by the Confederates who did not have time to properly bury the dead during the Civil War. Some of the graves didn't have enough dirt to cover the bodies and bones were protruding out of the ground. Mary J. Green was struck by a sense of duty and wanted to give the fallen soldiers a proper burial.
She published several articles in the local Southern newspapers and asked many of their friends for donations. She raised $2,000 dollars. A large amount during that time. She also went to the Georgia assembly and legislature raising an additional $3,500. Her father donated 2.5 acres of land for the cause.
Her mother, sister, and several servants helped her gather the bodies. The cemetery is arranged with the unknown soldiers in the center of the cemetery in a circular pattern around a large granite cross. The remained dead that could be identified are buried on the outer perimeter of the circle . The graves are organized by state and are in sections.
Only one woman and non soldier is buried there. Mrs. E.J. Simmons of Calhoun, Georgia. She was president of the historical society who made improvements to the cemetery and had a stone monument placed in the cemetery that reads...........
GEORGIA CONFEDERATE VETERANS
We sleep here in obedience to law;
When duty called, we came;
When country called, we died.
Mrs. Simmons died September 5, 1907. She was buried in the Resaca Confederate Cemetery upon request.
We sleep here in obedience to law;
When duty called, we came;
When country called, we died.
Mrs. Simmons died September 5, 1907. She was buried in the Resaca Confederate Cemetery upon request.
Stacy P L'dford
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