Alexandria National Cemetery

Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville was authorized by an Act of Congress on February 22, 1867, and the United States, through the Secretary of War, took possession of the property in April 1871 from the Succession of Franco Poussan. The parcel contained 8.24 acres and was valued at $1,200.00 by United States District Judge W.B. Woods pursuant to an order of the United States District Court signed May 21, 1875. The cemetery was originally enclosed with a picket fence, later replaced with a brick wall in 1870. A lodge was built in 1879, rebuilt in 1931, and a sun porch was added in 1938 by W.P.A. labor. The flag mound and flagstaff were replaced in November 1950. Initially there were 1378 interments, including 871 unknown and 507 known. Later transfers placed 1537 unknown Civil War soldiers originally interred at Fort Brownsville, Texas, in one common grave, 25 unknown soldiers from post and private cemeteries near old Fort Jesup, Louisiana, in a second grave, and 16 unknown soldiers originally interred at Fort Ringo, Texas, in a third grave. During World War II, five German prisoners of war were interred there. In 1973, responsibility for operation of the cemetery was transferred to the Veterans Administration.

Pineville, Louisiana · United States