GENERAL INFORMATION

The Mobile National Cemetery is administered by Barrancas National Cemetery. Please contact them at the telephone number listed above.

The cemetery is located on both sides of Virginia Street. The Post Section, Memorial Section and Sections 1 through 4 are located on the east side of Virginia Street. Sections 5 through 8 are located on the west side of Virginia Street.

Military Funeral Honors
Arrangements for military funeral honors are the responsibility of the funeral director or the family. The Barrancas Cemetery staff will provide the contact telephone numbers upon request.

Local Military and Chaplain Telephone Numbers:
U.S. Air Force - (850) 882-2156 - Chaplain and Honors
U.S. Army - (334) 255-9081 or 9311 - Chaplain and Honors
U.S. Coast Guard - (251) 441-6014 or 535-4591 - Honors
U.S. Marine Corps - (850) 452-2341 - Chaplain / (850) 452-3588 - Honors
U.S. Navy - (850) 452-2341 - Chaplain / (850) 452-3716 - Honors
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HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Mobile National Cemetery was established in 1865 after the Port of Mobile fell into Union hands under the assault of Rear Admiral David Farragut during the Civil War.

Two years after defeating the Confederate fleet at Vicksburg, Farragut was summoned from his New York home to lead an attack on Mobile Bay, the last Confederate stronghold in the Gulf of Mexico. Mobile was not only protected by Fort Morgan and a fleet of wooden vessels, but also by the formidable confederate ship, the Tennessee and a field of explosive mines called torpedoes. Undaunted, Farragut readied his fleet for battle. Using a strategy that had worked before, he ordered his wooden ships lashed together in pairs, one large ship and one small ship. In this manner, if the larger frigate was disabled in battle, the smaller vessel could tow it to safety.

Farragut’s fleet of wooden ships, along with four small ironclad monitors, began the attack on Mobile Bay early in the morning of Aug. 5, 1864. When the smoke of battle became so thick that he couldn’t see, Farragut climbed the rigging of the Hartford and lashed himself near the top of the mainsail to get a better view. It wasn’t long before the Tecumseh, one of the monitors leading the way, was struck by a torpedo and sank. In a state of confusion, the fleet came to a halt in front of the powerful guns of Fort Morgan. Realizing the fleet was reluctant to move forward due to the “infernal machines,” Farragut rallied his men to victory, shouting: “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!”

The Union fleet steamed through the minefield, blasted Fort Morgan, and captured the Confederate ironclad Tennessee. Mobile Bay fell into Union hands in one of the most decisive naval victories of the Civil War.

When Union forces first took Mobile, they interred their casualties in portions of the city-owned Magnolia Cemetery, but following the Army’s request for additional burial space, Mobile provided the Union troops with three acres. The first interments were remains from surrounding military sites and forts. An inspector’s report of the cemetery, dated February 1871, states that of 841 burials only 124 were identified. In 1872, the Army ranked Mobile a first-class cemetery, a categorization probably based on size and activity; by 1876 it was reassessed as a second-class cemetery.

In addition to the number of Civil War dead, a number of Apache Indians are buried in Mobile National Cemetery. After Geronimo’s surrender, members of the Apache nation were first sent to Florida, then transferred to Vernon Barracks. During their time at the barracks, 13 fell ill and were subsequently buried here, including Chappo, the son of the great Apache leader Geronimo.

Mobile National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Monuments and Memorials
The 76th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment Monument was erected in 1892 by survivors of the Battle of Port Blakely, Ala., in honor of their fallen comrades.

The Confederate Fortification Monument marks the remains of an old Confederate breastwork. The granite monument was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1940.
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NOTABLE BURIALS

Medal of Honor Recipients
Private First Class John Dury New, (World War II) 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Peleliu Island, Palau Group, Sept. 25, 1944 (Section 7 Grave 2147).

Other Burials
Chappo, son of Apache Indian Geronimo, Section 1, Grave 621-B.

Larry (Lanny) Fun, cousin of Geronimo, Section 3, Grave 656-C.

841 Civil War dead, which includes 628 Union soldiers, 23 civilian employees of the U S Army, 112 Unknowns, and 78 US Colored Troops representing 10 Infantry regiments from various states.

There are also 4 Confederate soldiers interred in the cemetery.
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FLORAL/GROUNDS REGULATIONS

Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.

Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.

Artificial flowers will be permitted on graves only during the period from Nov. 10 through March 15.

Potted plants will be permitted on graves only during the period extending 10 days before through 10 days after Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Christmas.

Christmas wreaths, grave blankets and other seasonal adornments may be placed on graves from Dec. 15 through Jan. 10.

Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects and similar items are not permitted on the graves. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not permit adornments that are considered offensive, inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery or considered hazardous to cemetery personnel. For example, items incorporating beads or wires may become entangled in mowers or other equipment and cause injury.

Permanent items removed from graves will be placed in an inconspicuous holding area for one month prior to disposal. Decorative items removed from graves remain the property of the donor but are under the custodianship of the cemetery. If not retrieved by the donor, they are then governed by the rules for disposal of federal property.
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