Florence, South Carolina: Grave of Woman Who Pretended to be a Man
Florence National Cemetery contains the unremarkable tombstone of the remarkable Florena Budwin, who successfully disguised herself as a Union soldier during the Civil War.
Florence National Cemetery
- Address:
- 803 E. National Cemetery Rd, Florence, SC
- Directions:
- Florence National Cemetery. From downtown Florence turn south onto US Hwy 52/S. Irby St. Drive a half-mile. Turn left onto Cherokee Rd/Hwy 21-13. Drive a about a mile to the cemetery.
- Phone:
- 843-669-8783
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Visitor Tips and News About Grave of Woman Who Pretended to be a Man
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This was a fascinating history lesson. Very easy to find, and the graveyard is clean and serene. Most definitely worth a stop!
[CeCe, 01/06/2013]
Florence National Cemetery The Florence National Cemetery has two sections on opposite sides of the road. One side has the older graves, the other the newer. The older side is definitely more unique. Some of the graves date as far back as the Civil War. There are also several makers for mass trench graves. There's even a special marker for a woman who disguised herself as a man, hoping to find her husband who had joined the Union troops. She was found out when she became sick, and when she died, they buried her with full military honors.
If you visit, be sure to knock on the door of the building. Whoever is working will be more than happy to show you around and tell you stories. The kids were amazed at being able to see such old graves, and to hear the stories of the heroes. It was a field trip the kids will never forget for sure.
[Danielle O., 11/22/2012]Florena Budwin eventually found her husband, but both ended up in the notorious Andersonville Prison (where he died). She is supposedly the first woman to be buried in a national cemetery.
Nearby Offbeat Places
- Confederate Tributes to the Pee Dee, Florence, SC - 1 mi.
- Atom Bomb Fragments, Florence, SC - 1 mi.
- Atom Bomb Dropped Here, Mars Bluff, SC - 6 mi.
- In the region: Largest (Real) Tire in the World, Bladenboro, NC - 61 mi.
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Florena Budwin disguised herself as a man and fought for the Union Army during the Civil War.