Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Ashland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
Ashland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot is located in Section D of Ashland Cemetery in Carlisle, PA. The soldiers buried here were stationed at Carlisle Barracks, one of the oldest military posts in the United States. Initially, the dead from Carlisle Barracks were interred in a post cemetery. In March 1866, the federal government purchased approximately 0.25 acres of land in Ashland Cemetery, and by 1871, the War Department transferred the remains from the post cemetery to the government plot in Ashland Cemetery.
Carlisle Barracks has a long history both as a post and as an educational institution. President George Washington met the garrison here in 1794 before journeying to Western Pennsylvania to quash the Whiskey Rebellion. In the first half of the 19th century, the Army established educational programs at Carlisle Barracks, including the School of Cavalry Practice and the School of Horse-Drawn Light Artillery. Major J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry set fire to the barracks during the Civil War, when the Confederate Army invaded Pennsylvania in the Gettysburg Campaign. In 1879, the War Department transferred control of the post to the Department of Interior, which opened the Carlisle Indian Industrial School on the site. Carlisle Barracks returned to the War Department in 1918, which continued to operate educational programs on the campus. The U.S. Army War College, established in Washington, D.C., in 1903, was relocated to Carlisle Barracks in 1951. Today, the Army War College trains the upper ranks of military personnel.
Monuments and Memorials In 1934, the federal government erected a headstone with the inscription "500 Unknown U.S. Soldiers." Subsequent research identified the remains of 35 soldiers interred in the soldiers' lot. In July 1960 the federal government erected a replacement monument bearing a plaque with the inscription: "500 U.S. Soldiers of the Civil War Are Here Interred. [List of the 35 Names] The Others Are Known But to God." In addition to the mass grave, there are 23 individual graves of soldiers who died at Carlisle Barracks, 19 known and four unknown.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Ashland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.
Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
» Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
Sergeant Jacob Cart (Civil War).
He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company A, 7th Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, for actions at Fredericksburg, VA, December 13, 1862. Cart died in 1882 and is buried in Section 22, Row D, Site 24.
Eligibility for burial at Ashland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot
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Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
From Indiantown Gap National Cemetery take Interstate 81 South to Exit 52. Turn left on High Street and stay in right lane. Follow High Street to Route 74 South. Turn right onto Route 74 South. Follow Route 74 South for 1 ½ blocks and the cemetery will be on your right located in the Ashland Cemetery.
Floral and grounds policy
Contact the cemetery for information regarding the floral/grounds policy.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Ashland Soldiers' Lot.
A National Cemetery System Ashland Soldiers' Lot Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Ashland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot (by straight-line distance):
- Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — York, PA (28 mi · closed)
- Indiantown Gap National Cemetery — Annville, PA (36 mi · open)
- Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery — Owings Mills, MD (57 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Ashland Cemetery Soldiers' Lot have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 2020 West Trindle Rd. in Carlisle, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including visitation facilities. Professional offerings include personalized service, cremation, and traditional burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,280. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,100, while direct cremation is available from $3,280. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Lutheran, Church of God, Catholic, and Presbyterian. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.7-star Google rating across 53 reviews.
Hollinger Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 501 North Baltimore Avenue in Mount Holly Springs, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel. Professional offerings include cremation services, traditional funeral service, and memorial service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,295. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,495, while direct cremation is available from $2,295. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Church of God, Christ Community Church, Evangelical Free Church, Word of Life Ministries, and United Methodist Church.
Buhrig Funeral & Cremation, Ltd. is a premier funeral home located at 37 East Main Street in Mechanicsburg, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including buhrig funeral & cremation, ltd., buhrig's gathering place, and private parking. Professional offerings include personalized service, immediate need, and grief support, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,898. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,243, while direct cremation is available from $2,898. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Churches of God, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, McBIC Church (Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church), Vibrant Church, Trindle Springs Lutheran Church Mechanicsburg, Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, Turning Point Church, and First United Methodist Church. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.7-star Google rating across 74 reviews.
Cocklin Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 30 N Chestnut St in Dillsburg, PA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
Sullivan Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 51 North Enola Dr. in Enola, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory and funeral home facilities. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional burial, and viewing, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,250. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,000, while direct cremation is available from $3,250. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $4,000. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($1,200) and use of facilities for viewing ($900).
Musselman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 324 Hummel Ave. in Lemoyne, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including warm and comfortable facility. Professional offerings include cremation services, planning ahead, and grief support, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,425. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,150, while direct cremation is available from $3,425. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically All Faiths, Methodist, Lutheran, and Nondenominational Christian.
Wiedeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 357 South Harrisburg Street in Oberlin, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including integrated sound and video system and multiple televisions. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, cremation services, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,000. Traditional burial arrangements are offered from $3,075. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically All Faiths and Roman Catholic.
Dugan Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 111 South Main St. in Bendersville, PA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home facility - shippensburg and funeral home facility - bendersville. Professional offerings include personalized service, cremation, and funeral service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,250. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, Brethren, Church of God, Mennonite, Baptist, Church of Christ, United Church of Christ, and Quaker.