STORIES BENEATH THE STONES

Richmond National Cemetery

JoAnn Meaker

Beyond the gates of this historic cemetery, opened in 1866-67, the visitor discovers row upon row of white headstones, all of which are lined up in military precision. Each is inscribed with a soldier's name and regiment, and each one of them has a story to tell.

Following years of research utilizing a multitude of documents and other source materials, JoAnn Meaker explores both the history of the cemetery and the lives of the Civil War soldiers who are at rest here. 

Part One of the book includes chapters devoted to descriptions of battles, various causes of death, brothers at war, poet-soldiers, letters written home and curiosities, coincidences and anecdotes.

In the extensive alphabetical list that encompasses Part Two the author examines the lives of each individual buried here. After scouring through census lists, genealogical data, government records and websites, she presents us with the human side of the story, the facts about those who lost their lives in the war.

This one-of-a-kind effort is sure to be appreciated and valued by descendants, historians and genealogists, as well as those with an interest in the Civil War and historic cemeteries in general.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

PART ONE

Chapter 1  History

Chapter 2  Killed in Action

Chapter 3  Diseases

Chapter 4  Unusual Deaths

Chapter 5  Brothers in War

Chapter 6  Poets

Chapter 7  Letters Home

Chapter 8  Those They Left Behind

Chapter 9  Curiosities and Confusion

Chapter 10  The Unknowns

Conclusion 

PART TWO

Alphabetical List of Soldiers

Endnotes

Specifications

Format: 8.5" x 11" paperback on permanent paper, printed in the United States
Pages: 334
ISBN 10: 1-939995-21-3
ISBN 13: 978-1-939995-21-6
LCCN: 2017020590
Price: $28.95 (Bulk order rates are available upon request)

About the Author

Award- winning author JoAnn Meaker was born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island She then spent almost thirty years in the town of Ontario, in Upstate New York, before relocating to Richmond, Virginia where she currently resides with her husband.

Her love of history was sparked by the discovery of a hidden Manor House in Ontario. Wanting to learn more, she attended one of the local historical society’s meetings and eventually joined the group, became a member of the board, and then served as its president for six years. The society owns and operates a nine-building historic museum focusing on the Civil War time period and for several years JoAnn coordinated Civil War re-enactments at this location. For the town’s bicentennial celebration, spanning a two year period, and aided by the town’s historian, Meaker wrote a series of newspaper articles featuring the history of Ontario. During this time she also wrote Images of America: Ontario, an Arcadia Publications Book.

After years of family genealogy work and intense research, JoAnn wrote two historical fiction novels, My Dear Emma and Four Branches. She also wrote a book of short stories, A Line of Shorts, and a children’s fantasy book, Nola’s Gift. Her writings have also appeared in four anthologies.

Meaker is currently the president of Hanover Writers, a chapter of the Virginia Writer's Club.