Learn more about the American Civil War at http://www.americancivilwar.ca Oakland cemetery exemplifies the 19th century "rural garden" movement that was a backlash against the busy, overcrowded city cemeteries. Characteristic of these garden cemeteries are shady trees, flowers and pathways that were meant to be enjoyed by the living as well as provide a beautiful, final resting place for loved ones. Oakland cemetery started in the 1850's with an original 6 acres of land purchased by the City fathers. Oakland was renamed in 1872 due to the large number of oak and magnolia trees growing on its grounds. The cemetery is best known for being the final resting place for over 3,000 Confederate soldiers who were disinterred from nearby battlefields. By the early 1870's, the cemetery had expanded to 48 acres due to the pressures of the Civil War. With the onset of the Civil War, the City added land to bury soldiers who died in local hospitals. Atlanta hospitals overflowed with men wounded in battles and the largest number of wartime hospitals were within half a mile of the cemetery. As deaths mounted, the land around the cemetery was secured as a Confederate burial ground. After the war, several thousand soldiers who had fallen in the Atlanta campaign were moved from battlefield graves to Oakland. The cemetery reached its present size by 1867. Confederate Memorial Grounds This section is the final resting place for approximately 6,900 Confederate soldiers including 3,000 unknowns. When you enter from the main gate, the massive spire of the Confederate Obelisk provides an orienting landmark. The 65-foot monument was made of Stone Mountain granite and dedicated on April 26, 1874 by the Atlanta Ladies Memorial Association. For many years it was the tallest structure in the city. Also included are the headstones of 16 Union soldiers who died in local hospitals. Another area of marked Confederate graves lies along Oakland's southern wall. Lion of the Confederacy To the Northeast of the Obelisk, lies the most famous marker being the massive "Lion of Atlanta" guarding approximately 3,000 graves of unknown Confederate soldiers disinterred from the battlefield. The Confederate section of Oakland is home to an estimated 6,900 burials, of which about 3,000 are unknown. The Lion was modelled after the Swiss "Lion of Lucerne"and was carved by T. M. Brady in 1894 from the largest block of marble quarried from Tate, Georgia. The dying lion rests on the Confederate flag they followed and "guards their dust," in the words of a commemorative poem. To the Northwest, very close to the obelisk itself, are buried four Confederate generals, John B. Gordon, Lucius J. Gartrell, Clement A. Evans, and William Wright. Two historical markers in the cemetery explain its connection with important events during the Civil War. The Great Locomotive Chase The first is the site where seven spies of the Great Locomotive Chase were hanged near the south-east corner of the cemetery. On April 12, 1862, Union soldiers known as Andrews Raiders, led by civilian scout James J. Andrews, commandeered a train at present-day Kennesaw, GA and raced north to Ringgold, GA to cut telegraph lines doing as much damage as possible while pursued by other locomotives. They were captured and condemned as spies. Seven were hanged and temporarily interred in Oakland cemetery before being moved to the National Cemetery at Chattanooga. Andrews was tried in Chattanooga and found guilty. He was executed by hanging on June 7 in Atlanta. Andrews was hanged in downtown Atlanta and there is a plaque marking this historic event at the corner of 3rd Street and Juniper Street. On June 18, the seven others who had been convicted as spies were returned to Atlanta also hanged. Confederate Headquarters The second historical marker is north of the Bell Tower where a two-story farmhouse stood in the summer of 1864. It was a headquarters for Confederate commander John B. Hood during the Battle of Atlanta, which was fought to the east of the cemetery on July 22. In 1976, Oakland was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Oakland cemetery provides a look at the rich and vibrant Civil War past of the city of Atlanta and provides guided walking tours, twilight tours, and even boats a visitors centre and museum shop. It is an important part of Altanta's history and a must-see stop for any serious Civil War aficionado.

• published: 21 Feb 2012
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