Fayetteville Confederate Cemetery: A Hallowed Ground

Nestled on a peaceful hill overlooking Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Confederate Cemetery is a solemn and reflective site. Established in 1873 by the Southern Memorial Association (SMA), it is the final resting place for Confederate soldiers who died in battles and skirmishes throughout Northwest Arkansas. Many of these soldiers fell at the battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove. The cemetery's grounds encompass 3.5 acres and are characterized by rows of graves shaded by mature trees. A stone wall, constructed in 1885, surrounds the cemetery, and a monument erected in 1897 stands at its center, featuring a statue of a Confederate soldier. The cemetery is divided into sections for soldiers from Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, and Louisiana. The Southern Memorial Association, founded in 1872 by women like Mrs. Sallie Cox, played a crucial role in ensuring the proper burial and remembrance of Confederate soldiers. The SMA contracted to gather Confederate remains from battlefields like Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove for reinterment in the Fayetteville cemetery. The cemetery was dedicated on June 10, 1873, marking the SMA's first anniversary. Visiting the cemetery offers a chance to reflect on the Civil War and its impact on the region. The annual Southern Memorial Day Ceremony is held in June.