Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Rock Island Confederate Cemetery
Rock Island Confederate Cemetery is located just 2,500 yards northwest of Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois. During the Civil War, the federal government established a prison on Rock Island to ease the crowded conditions at other prisons in the Midwest. The first prisoners, taken at the Battle of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, arrived from Chattanooga in December 1863. In a little over two years more than 12,000 prisoners passed through the gates of the prison. As in many other prisons on both sides of the war, smallpox and other diseases presented a significant problem at Rock Island. Located in a low-lying area, the prison suffered from a lack of drainage, which contributed to the unhealthy living conditions. Over the course of the war, hundreds of Confederates died from disease and exposure.
Two separate cemeteries were developed on the island, one for Confederates and one for Union soldiers who served as prison guards. The latter became Rock Island National Cemetery after the war.
As early as January 1864, rumors began to circulate regarding the conditions at Rock Island. Critics of the camp began to refer to it as the “Andersonville of the North.” When burials in the Confederate cemetery were discontinued on July 11, 1865, interments totaled approximately 1,950. Smallpox and pneumonia accounted for most of the deaths in the prison.
After the war, the federal government transferred all the extant prison structures—including the barracks, hospital, and garrison building—to the Rock Island Arsenal. Subsequently, all of the buildings associated with the prison have been destroyed. Today, Rock Island Confederate Cemetery is the last vestige of the Rock Island Confederate prison.
The Rock Island Arsenal, including Rock Island Confederate Cemetery, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
Monuments and Memorials A granite obelisk on a block base was dedicated on Nov. 2, 2003, at the entrance to the cemetery by a local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Engraved in the front of the block is “In Memory of the Confederate Veterans Who Died at the Rock Island Prison Camp. May They Never Be Forgotten…”
There are four 12-lb Confederate artillery monuments within Rock Island Confederate Cemetery.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Rock Island Confederate Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Under Development.
Eligibility for burial at Rock Island Confederate Cemetery
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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
Cemetery is located on the Rock Island Arsenal.
From Quad-Cities Airport and East: Take Interstate 74 West (see note below). Take the 7th Avenue exit, the last exit in Illinois. Turn left (west) at the bottom of the ramp onto 7th Avenue. Follow 7th Avenue west to 16th Street. Turn right (north) onto 16th and follow it to the ramp for the bridge onto the island. Rock Island National Cemetery is immediately to your left after you pass the island guard posts and the Confederate Cemetery is further ahead on your left.
Floral and grounds policy
All items placed on gravesites will be removed as soon as they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations.
A limit of three (3) floral arrangements may be placed on the grave as the conclusion of the committal service.
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 Rock Island Confederate Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Rock Island Confederate Cemetery 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 Rock Island Confederate Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Rock Island National Cemetery — Rock Island, IL (1 mi · open)
- Oakdale Cemetery Soldiers' Lot — Davenport, IA (2 mi · closed)
- Keokuk National Cemetery Annex — Keokuk, IA (89 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Rock Island Confederate Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Orr's Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 1326 4Th Avenue in Rock Island, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including ambrose display room, chapel of tones, and benford slumber room. Professional offerings include cremation, pre-need burial plan, and funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,800. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,900, while direct cremation is available from $2,800. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic.
Rafferty Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 2111 1St Street A in Moline, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including two large chapels, accessible building, and drive-through portico. Professional offerings include funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,130. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,795, while direct cremation is available from $3,130. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic and Unitarian.
Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 6601 38th Ave. in Moline, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home building, on-site crematory, and serene atmosphere. Professional offerings include traditional funeral services, cremation, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,275. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,450, while direct cremation is available from $2,275. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Congregational, Evangelical Free, and Seventh-Day Adventist.
Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd is a premier funeral home located at 1500 6Th Street in East Moline, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including arrangement center, business office, and chapel. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation services, and personalization, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,440. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $2,294. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist.
Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 701 12Th Street in Moline, 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 $1,590.
Sullivan-Ellis Mortuary Ltd is a premier funeral home located at 1902 3Rd Avenue in East Moline, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including viewing rooms and chapel. Professional offerings include funeral service, memorial service, and burial, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,495, while direct cremation is available from $1,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, and Methodist.
Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home Inc is a premier funeral home located at 614 North Main Street in Davenport, IA. The property features well-appointed spaces including large chapel, visitation room, and arrangement office. Professional offerings include traditional burial, cremation, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,575. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,915, while direct cremation is available from $2,575. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic.
Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory Milan is a premier funeral home located at 201 E. 4th Avenue in Milan, IL. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.