General Orders Number 80 - Winchester National Cemetery, VA - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

Cast iron marker, dated 1875, outlining the Rules of Conduct for entering and using the National Military Cemeteries.

Winchester National Military Cemetery was established in 1866, and transferred to the Federal Government in 1870, so this sign was an original marker.

Marker text reads:

General Orders No. 80 War Department Adjutant General's Office
Washington, September 1, 1875

I.
Information having been received of desecration of soldiers' graves by picnic parties in a National Cemetery and by vending refreshments therein, it is hereby ordered that hereafter no such practices shall be allowed in any National Cemetery, nor any adjoining ground within the control of the United States.

II.
Visitors will not be allowed in the National Cemeteries
Before Sunrise or After Sunset.
No refreshments will be taken into the Cemeteries.

III.
In National Cemeteries where Driving Is Permitted:
The Speed Must Be Confined to a Walk.
If it is found difficult to enforce this rule at any Cemetery the gates will be closed over the carriageway and all driving prohibited.

IV.
These Orders will be conspicuously posted at the main entrance of each National Cemetery,and will be rigidly enforced by the Superintendents.

By Order of the Secretary of War E.D. Townsend, Adjutant General

Actual articles are 965 and 967.

Group that erected the marker: War Department URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link] Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: 401 National Ave # A, Winchester, VA USA 22601

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