Created in 1857 between the towns of Kansas (now Kansas City) and Westport (now a neighborhood in Kansas City), this cemetery was to be used by both towns, thus the name: Union Cemetery. Many prominent historical figures (at least by local standards) are buried here: George Caleb Bingham, Alexander Majors, Allan B. H. McGee, Milton Payne. These famous folk and more are listed in a handy brochure available near the front gate, with a map to facilitate a "walking tour" of their graves. More infamously, a "Civil War Dead Marker" erected by the U. S. Government here marks the common grave shared by Confederate soldiers captured during the Battle of Westport who died as prisoners of war; and a few other graves contain the remains of Confederates who died after the war. Several of these fly the Stars and Bars of the Confederate States of America (also known as "Slave States"). At least one veteran of "Quantrill's 1 MO CAV CSA" is buried here, and some wag (not me!) has marked his grave with an American flag, presumably in pursuit of poetic justice. But I took these photographs over the Memorial Day weekend, 2014, to well, memorialize, and express some measure of gratitude, to the men who, neither famous or infamous, sacrificed their lives, limbs and happiness to preserve the United States in its darkest hour and thus secure freedom for all of us. We owe these guys.
When I've been able to decipher the grave markers, I have included their text in the captions, especially when I have been able to confirm my impressions with information from online rosters of the units. If you believe I've read something incorrectly or you are able to decipher something I've left unread, please let me know.
Like I said, we owe these guys.