Alexandria National Cemetery was established by the Union Army in 1862. Of the 3,500+ soldiers buried here, more than 250 are African-American. Many were first buried at Freedmen's Cemetery (1001 S. Washington Street) but later re-interred at the National Cemetery. This database was created after a careful review of Volunteers for Freedom: Black Civil War Soldiers in Alexandria National Cemetery by Edward A. Miller, Jr., located in Local History/Special Collections. Miller's sources included -- but were not limited to -- pension files, military service records, and hospital records. He published earlier research on the topic in Historic Alexandria Quarterly (Fall 1998; Winter 1998). Arranged alphabetically by last name, the database includes information about the soldier’s birth date, birthplace, condition/occupation at enlistment, date/place of enlistment, regiment/company, rank, date/place of discharge, post-military activities, and date of death/cause of death as reported by Miller. Wedding dates, names of wives, and names/birth dates of children are included when available. Researchers will want to examine Miller’s volume for details that are highlighted in the “Notes” column. Photocopies of these biographical sketches are available. Contact the Library for details: Phone: 703.838.4577 ext.213; FAX: 703.706.3912. We are open: Monday-Thursday, 9 am - 9 pm; Friday, 9 am - 6 pm; Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm, Eastern. Please check the Alexandria Library's web page for holiday closures. The database may be viewed on our web site: www.alexandria.lib.va.us/lhsc_genealogy_resources/vols/vols.html Leslie Anderson Morales, Reference Librarian Special Collections Alexandria Library 717 Queen Street Alexandria,VA 22314 (703) 838-4577 x207 http://www.alexandria.lib.va.us/lhsc/special_collections_home.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html