Fort Jackson National Cemetery

Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Located within the grounds of Fort Jackson in Columbia, this small, historic cemetery serves as the final resting place for veterans from the American Civil War through modern conflicts. Established in 1865, it is one of the original national cemeteries created to honor Union soldiers who perished in the region. The site is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs under the National Cemetery Administration.

History

The cemetery was established in 1865 on land that was part of a former plantation, directly adjacent to the newly constructed Fort Jackson military installation. Its initial purpose was to reinter Union Army soldiers who had died in hospitals and prison camps in the Columbia area following the March to the Sea by General Sherman's forces. Many of the early burials were of soldiers from states like Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania who succumbed to disease or wounds. The site was officially designated a national cemetery and has been administered by various federal agencies, including the War Department and later the Veterans Administration, throughout its history.

Notable interments

While primarily containing the remains of Union soldiers from the American Civil War, the cemetery also holds veterans from later conflicts, including the Spanish–American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Among the interred are several recipients of the Medal of Honor, though their specific identities are part of the broader historical record of valor. The graves represent a diverse cross-section of the American military, with markers for individuals from various infantry, artillery, and cavalry units who served their nation.

Location and visiting information

Fort Jackson National Cemetery is situated on the grounds of the active Fort Jackson military base in Richland County. Access to the cemetery is controlled by the installation; visitors must pass through the fort's main gate and present valid identification to enter. The cemetery is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk, and the staff of the National Cemetery Administration provides assistance for locating gravesites. Its proximity to Columbia Metropolitan Airport and major highways like Interstate 77 makes it accessible for family members and historians.

Monuments and memorials

The cemetery features a central flagpole and a historic U.S. Colored Troops memorial that honors the service of African American soldiers during the American Civil War. A prominent feature is the Fort Jackson memorial, which lists the names of individuals interred at the site. The grounds also include a small commemorative plaque dedicated by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the standard VA signage that marks all national shrines.

Administration and operations

The cemetery is administered by the National Cemetery Administration, a branch of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Day-to-day operations, including grounds maintenance, interment scheduling, and record-keeping, are managed by a dedicated staff. Burial eligibility follows the standard criteria set by the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the site coordinates closely with the U.S. Army garrison at Fort Jackson for access and security. As a closed cemetery with no new interment space, its primary operational focus is the perpetual care and preservation of the historic grounds.

Category:National cemeteries in South Carolina Category:Richland County, South Carolina Category:American Civil War cemeteries