On a recent trip to the Philadelphia area I had an opportunity to visit Laurel Hill Cemetery. Established in 1836 by John Jay Smith, it sits on 78 acres of rolling hills overlooking the Schuylkill River. Having missed many opportunities to visit this beautiful cemetery over the years, the wait was well worth it.
Besides US Major General George Gordon Meade, 39 other Civil War era general officers found their final rest at Laurel Hill. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate one of the most famous interments at Laurel Hill, CSA Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton. Pemberton was originally from Philadelphia but cast his lot with the Confederacy. He would ultimately surrender Vicksburg to Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863. Other notable officers buried at Laurel Hill are Charles Ferguson Smith, Samuel W. Crawford, Rear-Admiral John A.B. Dahlgren and Robert Patterson.
Click HERE to visit my photo essay on Laurel Hill Cemetery.