Orphans Memorial - Forest Hill Cemetery

In 1866 the Harvey Hospital was converted into a home for the children of Union soldiers whose parents were either killed or unable to care for them. For nine years the Soldiers' Orphans Home cared for these children; during this time eight orphans died at the home. These orphans were buried here in the Soldiers' Lot, and the Soldiers' Orphans Monument was erected and dedicated on Decoration Day (now Memorial Day) in 1873. The tall marble obelisk is inscribed with the children's names.

Oblisk & eight small headstones honoring children who died at the Orphans Home

Children of men killed during battle and their mothers either died themselves or were unable to support them. In 1866, the Harvey Hospital was transformed from a soldiers' hospital to an orphanage. 683 children lived at The Soldiers' Orphans home over the course of its nine years, its mission to care for children age 4 to 14. Eight of the children were buried here, the youngest only four years old and misidentified on the large obelisk.