Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Salisbury National Cemetery Annex
Salisbury National Cemetery was established by Confederate authorities to serve as the burial ground for captured Union soldiers incarcerated at the prison in Salisbury. The practice of prisoner exchange kept the prison populations down until 1864, when exchanges ended. By fall 1864, the number of soldiers at Salisbury prison doubled from 5,000 to 10,000. It suffered from one of the highest prison death rates, with as many as half the men dying of starvation or disease.
Recent historical research has led to a dispute over how many men are believed to have died during the last year or so of the war and are buried in the cemetery. The dead were buried in 18 trenches measuring about 240 feet long, located at the southeast end of the cemetery. Colonel Oscar A. Mack, the inspector of cemeteries, said in his report of 1870–1871, "The bodies were placed one above the other, and mostly without coffins. From the number of bodies exhumed from a given space, researchers estimated that the number buried in these trenches was 11,700. The number of burials from the prison pen cannot be accurately known." The figure of 11,700 was accepted for many years. However, the actual number of burials is probably lower and it is doubtful we will ever know exactly how many unknown remains are buried there.
An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers were likely buried here after dying at Salisbury Prison. Even in the years immediately after the Civil War, the federal government was unable to verify the number of dead or compile a credible list of interments to a degree that would have allowed them to inscribe names on a single memorial or on individual headstones. The most accurate government-issued document associated with these burials is found in the Roll of Honor, No. 14, compiled by the U.S. Army Quartermaster General's Office, and published in 1868.
After the war this was designated Salisbury National Cemetery, and another 412 remains were relocated here from Lexington, Charlotte, Morgantown, and other places. The cemetery was dedicated in 1874, a wall was built around the perimeter the following year, and by 1876 the headstones and a monument were in place. Salisbury National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Monuments and Memorials In June 1908, the state of Maine erected a 25-foot high granite monument topped by a soldier, to commemorate its soldiers who perished here.
The Federal Monument to the Unknown Dead is a granite obelisk that was commissioned by Congress in 1873. The government contracted Alexander McDonald of Mount Auburn, MA, to build the monument by December 31, 1876. The monument, measuring 50 feet tall with a base of 18 feet, was built to honor the unknown soldiers who died in the Salisbury Confederate Prison.
The Pennsylvania Monument was erected in 1909, and stands 40 feet high on a granite base that is 20 feet by 20 feet. This monument was erected to commemorate the patriotic devotion, heroism and self sacrifice of the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania volunteers who died while confined as POWs in the Confederate military prison at Salisbury. Dedicated November 16, 1910, according to speakers at the ceremony, the 736 men honored represent the largest number of Pennsylvania dead buried in any cemetery.
The All Wars Monument is a cast-stone monument located near the flagpole, which contains plaques of each service designation (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard). The Rowan County Veterans Council donated it on May 27, 1990.
A memorial in honor of the 4th Marine Division was erected in 2002.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Salisbury National Cemetery Annex, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Medal of Honor Recipients Landsman Lorenzo Deming (Civil War), U.S.
Navy, U.S. Picket Boat No. 1. Plymouth, NC, October 27, 1864. Deming served on the U.S. Picket Boat No. 1 which was destroyed in action with the Confederate ram Albemarle. He was incarcerated at the Confederate prison at Salisbury, and when he died February 8, 1865, he was likely buried in the trench as an unknown. He is honored with an older private memorial marker and a government-issued Medal of Honor headstone in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain, CT.
Other Burials Marshall C.
Sharp (ca.1895–1946) was born in North Carolina and enlisted in the U.S. Army before 1914. He served in two regiments open to black enlisted men, the 9th U.S. Cavalry as a cook and in Company K, 10th U.S. Cavalry. In late 1919, Private First Class Sharp returned from the Philippine Islands where he was stationed with the 9th U.S. Cavalry, and in 1920, he was living on "enlisted men's row" at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, still in military service. Other tours of duty are unknown at this time, but Sharp is recognized as a Buffalo Soldier for his years in the segregated cavalry regiments. He was honorably discharged in 1923 and lived in Los Angeles, CA, for the next twenty years working as a cook and laborer until his death on June 19. He is buried in Section A, Site 680.
Eligibility for burial at Salisbury National Cemetery Annex
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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
Directions to the Salisbury National Cemetery at 202 Government Avenue are as follows:
The closest airports are Greensboro and Charlotte. From Greensboro: From Interstate 85 South, take Exit 76B. Turn right on Innes Street. Then turn left on S. Long Street. Follow S. Long Street for four blocks then turn right onto W. Monroe. Follow W. Monroe one block and turn left onto S. Railroad Street. Half a block down S. Railroad Street on your left will be Government Road. Follow Government Road to the cemetery.
Floral and grounds policy
Our floral and grounds policy exists to reflect the honor and respect we hold for our Nation's Veterans, by preserving the dignity and solemnity of their final resting place.
These items are welcome:
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 Salisbury National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Salisbury National 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 Salisbury National Cemetery Annex (by straight-line distance):
- Salisbury National Cemetery — Salisbury, NC (2 mi · closed)
- Danville National Cemetery — Danville, VA (87 mi · unknown)
- Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery — Spring Lake, NC (93 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Salisbury National Cemetery Annex have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Lyerly Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 523 South Main St. in Salisbury, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including viewing rooms, chapels, and small private room for viewing. Professional offerings include cremation, traditional burial, and memorial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,380. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,290, while direct cremation is available from $1,380. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Methodist and Baptist.
Powles Staton Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 913 West Main Street in Rockwell, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home chapel and reception area. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation services, and personalization, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,075. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,420, while direct cremation is available from $3,075. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Lutheran, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, and Evangelical.
Lady's Funeral Home & Crematory is a premier funeral home located at 268 North Cannon Boulevard in Kannapolis, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel, on-site crematory, and reception hall. Professional offerings include traditional burial, combination funeral service, and graveside service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,430. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,795, while direct cremation is available from $2,430. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Nondenominational Christian, and Presbyterian.
Eaton Funeral Service is a premier funeral home located at 325 North Main St. in Mocksville, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including 175 seat chapel, 3 staterooms, and arrangement room. Professional offerings include memorial options, honoring veterans, and preplanning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,790. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,350, while direct cremation is available from $1,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist and Church of Christ.
Piedmont Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 405 South Main Street in Lexington, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site chapel and on-site crematory. Professional offerings include cremation services, traditional funeral service, and memorial service, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,775. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,495, while direct cremation is available from $1,775. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian and Episcopal.
Graham Funeral Home, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 635 Wilkesboro St. in Mocksville, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including kid's room. Professional offerings include funeral services, green burial, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,395. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,395. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically United Methodist and Christian. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.9-star Google rating across 75 reviews.
Clark Funeral Homes, Inc. is a premier funeral home located at 923 Indiana St. in Kannapolis, NC. The property features well-appointed spaces including modern facility and chapel. Professional offerings include traditional funerals, pre-planning, and cremations, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,775. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,715, while direct cremation is available from $1,775. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically All Religions (general statement), African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion), Baptist, Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of Christ, Presbyterian, and Lutheran. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.6-star Google rating across 21 reviews.
Davidson Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 301 North Main Street in Lexington, NC. 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 $2,045. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 160 reviews.