Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Confederate Mound
Oak Woods Cemetery is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Established by the Oak Woods Cemetery Association in 1853, the cemetery is an early example of the Lawn-Park cemetery form. Reacting to criticism that rural cemeteries were "cluttered and crowded", cemetery designer Adolph Strauch introduced more formality to the layout of Oak Woods, while reducing the size of trees and shrubs, replacing the atmosphere of a natural garden with that of a park. In time Strauch became one of the most influential cemetery designers of his day, in part due to his work at Oak Woods. Many local politicians of note have been interred here, including two Governors of Illinois, two Mayors of Chicago, U.S. Congressman James Mann, and Walter Gresham, Secretary of State to President Grover Cleveland.
Confederate Mound is located in Section K, Divisions 1 and 2. The plot contains burials of Confederate dead originally interred in the city cemetery, and in grounds near the hospital at Camp Douglas, a prisoner-of-war camp located in Chicago.
The end of the Civil War led to the abandonment of Camp Douglas and the transfer of the Confederate dead to Oak Woods Cemetery in 1866. The following year, Oak Woods received the Confederate remains from the City Cemetery. According to contemporary military records, 3,384 bodies from City Cemetery were re-interred at Oak Woods. At the time, no individual headstones marked the location of the graves. As a result, in the late 19th century a number of Confederate associations began fundraising campaigns to erect a memorial to the dead in the cemetery. Their efforts were rewarded when President Grover Cleveland and his entire cabinet attended the dedication of the 40' tall bronze-and-granite monument on May 30, 1895.
An act of Congress in 1903 provided federal funds for the improvement of Confederate Mound, including the marking of Confederate graves and the raising of the monument and mound. These appropriations led to the placement of six bronze plaques on the monument, which list the names of 4,243 known Confederate soldiers interred here, along with an inscription regarding the funding of the monument.
Twelve unidentified Union guards who died at Camp Douglas are also interred in the plot. Their graves are marked by individual unknown headstones.
Monuments and Memorials The memorial consists of a bronze figure of a Confederate infantry soldier, arms folded across his chest, hat in hand, and kit hanging at his side, standing atop a square granite column. The figure is adapted from a painting entitled "Appomattox" by John A. Elder. Three bas-relief panels at the base depict "The Call to Arms" on the east side, "A Veteran's Return Home" on the west side, and "A Soldier's Death Dream" on the south side. The monument marks the trench burials of the Confederate dead from Camp Douglas. The Confederate Veterans Association, along with other Confederate veterans' organizations, raised funds to erect the monument. General John C. Underwood, head of the United Confederate Veterans division west of the Alleghenies, designed and solicited contributions for the monument. The bronze plaques listing the names of buried Confederate veterans were added around 1910-1911, and may have been part of a new base design.
In addition to the monument, four artillery monuments and a cannonball pyramid were erected in Confederate Mound in the 1860's.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Confederate Mound, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Under Development.
Eligibility for burial at Confederate Mound
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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 Chicago-O'Hare Airport: Take I-190 East which turns into I 90/94 (Kennedy Expressway) merge onto I-94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) East exit at 59B to S Yale Ave, travel south to Marquette Rd/67th Street and turn left and travel to Oak Woods Cemetery on the right. Confederate Mound is located on the grounds of Oak Woods Cemetery. There is no entrance here.
From the East or West: Take Interstate 90 to Interstate 94 South and exit at 67th Street. Take 67th Street east to Cottage Grove Avenue. Continue four more blocks on 67th Street to the entrance near South Greenwood Avenue.
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 Confederate Mound.
A National Cemetery System Confederate Mound 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 Confederate Mound (by straight-line distance):
- Fort Sheridan National Cemetery — Fort Sheridan, IL (32 mi · unknown)
- Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery — Elwood, IL (38 mi · open)
- Mound Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — Racine, WI (67 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Confederate Mound have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Cage Memorial Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 7651 South Jeffery Boulevard in Chicago, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel and reception hall. Professional offerings include funerals, obituaries, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,595. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,895, while direct cremation is available from $1,595. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian, Catholic, Jewish, and Islamic.
Calahan Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 7030 South Halsted Street in Chicago, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including legacy center and offices. Professional offerings include payment options, planning ahead, and live funeral webcast, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,000. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,800, while direct cremation is available from $2,850.
Taylor Funeral Home, Ltd. is a premier funeral home located at 63 East 79th St. in Chicago, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including multiple funeral home locations, cemetery, and monument company. Professional offerings include funeral service, memorial service, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,400. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,500, while direct cremation is available from $2,400. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Protestant Christian (Baptist, Christian Methodist Episcopal).
Cage Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 7651 South Jeffery Blvd. in Chicago, IL. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $3,510. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.4-star Google rating across 36 reviews.
Brookins Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 9315 South Ashland Ave. in Chicago, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel and reception hall. Professional offerings include personalization, honoring veterans, and preplan online, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,700. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,800, while direct cremation is available from $2,250. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian (United Church of Christ).
Dalcamo Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 470 West 26Th Street in Chicago, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including two-chapel parlor. Professional offerings include funeral service, memorial service, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,140. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,500, while direct cremation is available from $2,140. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
Cannon Funeral Home Services is a premier funeral home located at 47 W. Polk Street 271 in Chicago, IL. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
Andrew J. McGann & Son Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 10727 South Pulaski Road in Chicago, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including celebration of life center, flexible chapel space, and coffee lounge. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and celebration of life, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,500, while direct cremation is available from $2,250. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Asian Funeral Traditions, Buddhist, Catholic, Hispanic Funeral Traditions, Hindu, Muslim, Christian (Protestant), Jewish, and Black Funeral Traditions.