Monument and graves of the Civil War Medal of Honor recipients who took part in the Great Locomotive ChaseGraves stretching to the top of the hill in the center of the cemetery.View across the cemetery to Lookout Mountain, the site of one of the battles in 1862.Plaque about the Chattanooga National CemeteryGate on Bailey Ave
The cemetery was established in 1863, by an order from Major General George Henry Thomas after the Civil WarBattles of Chattanooga, as a place to inter Union soldiers who fell in combat. 75 acres (30 ha) of land was initially appropriated from two local land owners, but later purchased. It became Chattanooga National Cemetery in 1867. By 1870 more than 12,000 interments had been made, most of whom were unknown. Many nearby battlefield burials were also reinterred in Chattanooga, including nearly 1,500 burials from the Battle of Chickamauga. Franklin Guest Smith, who served as secretary and member of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Commission from 1893 until 1908, played an important role in preserving and expanding the cemetery, and a monument at the cemetery was dedicated in his honor.[1]
During World War I (78) and World War II (108) German prisoners of war who died while in captivity were buried in Chattanooga National Cemetery. After the war, the German government paid to have other POWs disinterred from Hot Springs National Cemetery and moved to Chattanooga.[2]
Originally the site was expected to close for new burials in 2015. However, due to a recent expansion project that will add the capacity for more than 5,000 interments, the cemetery is now expected to be available for burials until 2045.
Notable monuments
A 40-foot high memorial archway, constructed in 1868.
Master Sergeant Ray E. Duke, for action in the Korean War. Also, recipient of Republic of Korea's version of the Medal of Honor (the Merit Taegug Medal)
