The "Confederate Mound," located on the north side of Section 32, is the final resting place of 1,616 Confederate prisoners of war. These soldiers died while confined at Camp Morton (located on the site of the old Fair Grounds, then located just north of the city-at what is now 22nd and Delaware Streets), from 1862-65. Most of these prisoners died at City Hospital and were originally buried in City Cemetery, later known as Greenlawn. Greenlawn became full and eventually closed. The area was zoned for industrial use and all non-military burials were removed by 1924. The War Department had the Confederate dead removed to Crown Hill Cemetery in 1931.
A two-year project to identify these veterans was lead by Stephen Staletovich, an Indianapolis police officer. As a result, ten bronze plaques mounted on granite bases were placed at the site. Each bears the names of all Southerners who died at Camp Morton. The monument and plaques were rededicated on October 3, 1993 in a ceremony that included representatives from 14 former Confederate states and territories.
Each year on Memorial Day, numerous Civil War reenactment units honor these soldiers in a special ceremony held in front of the Confederate Mound at 1:45 p.m. Included in the ceremony are numerous rifle and cannon salutes.
If you would like more information about the Confederate Burials, Crown Hill offers a soft cover 8½ x 11 inch bound book for sale that details the history of these soldiers and Camp Morton, along with the first and last name of each soldier, their rank, military unit, date of death, and state where they are from. This book, titled Confederate Burials in Crown Hill Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana, is available for $10.00 at the main office during business hours, or by mail for $12.50 (credit card required). If you would like to have one mailed, please e-mail us at info@crownhill.org and include your name, address, phone number, credit card number and expiration date. Be sure to mention that you'd like to order the Confederate Burials book.
