Soldiers' National Cemetery

About Soldiers' National Cemetery

Soldiers' National Cemetery stands as one of America's most sacred spaces. It was here, on November 19, 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address — 272 words that redefined the meaning of the Civil War and American democracy itself. For Pine Ridge campers, this hallowed ground lies just 20 minutes away and deserves a quiet, reflective visit.

The cemetery was established in the months following the Battle of Gettysburg to provide a proper burial for the Union soldiers who fell during the three-day engagement. Over 3,500 Union soldiers from the battle are interred here, arranged in a distinctive semicircular pattern around the Soldiers' National Monument at the center. The design was revolutionary for its time, giving equal prominence to every soldier regardless of rank.

Beyond the Civil War burials, the cemetery grew to include veterans from subsequent conflicts. Today, over 6,000 soldiers and veterans from the Civil War through the Vietnam era rest within its walls. The carefully maintained grounds, marked by rows of white headstones and mature trees, create an atmosphere of dignified tranquility.

The Lincoln Address Memorial marks the approximate location where Lincoln spoke. Standing here and reading his words on the bronze tablet is a powerful experience. As a Pine Ridge seasonal camper, you can visit during different seasons and times of day — early morning and late afternoon light create particularly moving atmospheres among the headstones.

What to Expect

• The Gettysburg Address Site: A memorial marks the approximate spot where Lincoln delivered his 272-word address on November 19, 1863. The full text is inscribed on a bronze tablet.
• Civil War Burials: Over 3,500 Union soldiers from the Battle of Gettysburg are interred in a distinctive semicircular arrangement, with every soldier given equal prominence regardless of rank.
• Soldiers' National Monument: The central monument, dedicated in 1869, features a figure of Liberty atop a column surrounded by allegorical figures representing War, History, Peace, and Plenty.
• Veterans of Multiple Wars: The cemetery expanded beyond its Civil War origins to include veterans from the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam — over 6,000 total.