Stonewall Jackson Cemetery by Cory Smith

    When visiting the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery, one can’t help but marvel at the sight of the old markers that surround the grave of the Confederate general.  The tombs range in size and quality, from giant pillars to a mausoleum, or they are just simply the traditional grave markers.  Inscriptions on the graves tend to vary as well, with some having a more elaborate piece written about the person buried while others simply state a last name.  The cemetery seemed to have grown plenty over time, as the markers stretched far down the hillside towards the nearby hospital.  It was obvious that the older graves were situated at the front of the cemetery near the road, while the newer tombs were farther down the hill.

          

               Nevertheless, the center of attention in the cemetery was the giant statue of General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, leader of Confederate forces who was killed during the Civil War.  The statue has his marker along with his infant daughter, his wife, and other relatives encompassing the base of the statue.  The statue itself is facing south, which is interesting to think about because Jackson played such a prominent role in defending the livelihood of the South.  Finally, the statue is also facing away from the VMI campus, as if Jackson serves as a defender of this proud military institution as well.

           

               There are many markers such as the one found at the bottom of this obelisk around the cemetery.  They designate that the person buried at that spot fought as a soldier in the Confederate army, and are usually accompanied by a Confederate flag.  There are many reminders of the Confederate South found in the town of Lexington, and this is one example of how people still remember the South's past.

                  This obelisk is one of the tallest I noticed at the cemetery.  One can notice the economic differences in the families that are buried in the cemetery just by the sheer size of their burial markers.  Larger graves like these designate a wealthier or more important figure, whereas some of the smaller markers are usually reserved for the families that kept their markers simpler to avoid the costs that arise with death.

                      

                  I found this marker particularly interesting because of the perplexing angle it is rising up from the ground.  While the other markers were fairly perpendicular, this one seemed more affected by the environment surrounding it and tilted as a result.  There is also a tree to the left of this grave whose roots may have forced the marker to tilt.  Otherwise, the ground around the marker is relatively flat, which does not help contribute to why this marker is tilted.  Any ideas?