National cemeteries were first developed in the United States during the Civil War. Due to mounting war casualties, in 1862, Congress empowered President Abraham Lincoln, “to purchase cemetery grounds and cause them to be securely enclosed, to be used as a national cemetery for the soldiers who shall die in the service of the country.” This small but significant new presidential power was given in “An act to define the pay and emolument of certain officers of the Army, & for other purposes," also called an omnibus act. This was the first U.S. legislation to state and solidify the concept of a national cemetery.
In the Little Rock area, the Union Arm buried their dead in the southeast corner of the new city cemetery. Later, the federal government purchased additional land adjacent to the original burials and the 12.1 acre property was designated Little Rock National Cemetery.
Created by woodwalker9
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