Little Rock National Cemetery

The Little Rock National Cemetery is out near where we had lunch today. During the Civil Way, Arkansas seceded from the Union. Following the Battle of Pea ridge in 1862, Union soldiers captured Little Rock and held the city for the remainder of the war. The land that is currently the national cemetery was located outside the city limits and was used for Union encampments. In 1866, with Union forces still occupying the city, a portion of the land was purchased by the government and set aside for military internments. In 1884 a Confederate cemetery was established adjacent to the National Cemetery. In 1938, the two cemeteries were combined, though the Union and Condederate burials continued to be in separate sections. The cemetery covers over 31 acres and is beautifully maintained.