Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission, Inc.

05/24/2026

Many thanks to our friend Don Box for his excellent photography of Saturday's ceremony.

05/23/2026

2026 Mound City National Cemetery Memorial Service

05/22/2026

05/14/2026

Let's make America proud!! Come join us at the Mound City National Cemetery for the annual Memorial Day program. Since its creation in 1862 as a burial place for Civil War soldiers, the official 1864 designation as a national cemetery, and through today communities have come to honor the ultimate sacrifice paid by our veterans. Help us honor their bravery! This year we've got quite a program! Hope to see you there!

05/12/2026

Flag Placement
Thursday, May 21st
4:30 PM
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Volunteers Welcome!

02/23/2026

One of the greatest pleasures of winter is losing oneself in stories of another time. This one is well worth the read 💙 Leander Stillwell was 18 years old when he left his Jerseyville, IL farm, the only son, to join the 61st IL Infantry. Gaining his father's permission (only after the crops were in!), he worked his way through the Western theatre and was eventually promoted to 1st Sargeant, Co.D.

A boy thrown quickly into manhood, he names his musket Trimthicket, learning to shoot at enemies the same way he did squirrels and hazel nuts back home...low and purposefully.

He talks about putting green hickory leaves in his cap to keep his head cool on marches through hot, humid Mississippi, and living through the heart break of finding his hometown sweetheart married to another.

Life goes full circle for those who stumble through it. His last page sums it best. Check out the photo. Happy reading!

Ps, members of the 61st IL are buried at the Mound City National Cemetery and some were treated at our hospital.

01/24/2026

Brigadier General William Hervy Lamme Wallace (W. H. L.) led the famous 2nd brigade at Ft. Donelson and the 3rd brigade at Shiloh before being shot on the battlefield in the famous Hornets Nest. His relationship to southern IL starts in Villa Ridge where he set up and precisely drilled the 11th IL regiment before taking their positions at Bird's Point. He chose Villa Ridge for its natural springs and generous woods, allowing his troops to avoid much of the water-borne, crowding illnesses found at Cairo. But today I want to more draw attention to his wife, Martha Ann (Dickey) Wallace. As we end January in the snow and begin to creep into the month of love, I thought a little romance wouldn't go amiss for our heroes. Click on the pictures for their story.

01/01/2026

Closing out the year with a glimpse back 164 years to Dr. Horace Wardner. Volunteering with the 12th IL Infantry, Dr. Wardner served in the battles of Belmont, Ft. Henry, Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Iuka, and Corinth. After Shiloh he was promoted to staff surgeon and assigned duty as Medical Director for the Army of Tennessee under Gen. Grant. After October 1862, he was reassigned to the United States General Hospital at Mound City. He served at Vicksburg on Grant's personal staff and then returned to Mound City hospital until the end of the war. He was then placed in charge of the medical department of the Cairo post until 1866. He liked Cairo so much he stayed and established St. Mary's Infirmary and, later became the superintendent of the Southern Insane Assylum (now known as Chaote) in Anna, IL.

As we whisper into 2026, may you build a happy, healthy future and leave a legacy that friends 100 years from now can say 'Wow! They did that! ' Happy New Year everyone!

12/19/2025

The Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission extends its sincere thanks to photographer Don Box. Twice each year, Don travels hundreds of miles from his home in Springfield, Illinois, to generously give his time and talent—photographing our Wreaths Across America and Memorial Day events and helping ensure these moments of remembrance are never forgotten.

12/13/2025

2025 Wreaths Across America at Mound City National Cemetery