Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it encompasses 66 acres (27 ha), and as of the end of 2006, had 24,525 interments.

[2] The cemetery is also nearing compliance with the National Shrine guidelines, due to its use of college students during the summer to reset and realign stones.

The cemetery was established in 1863 as a place to inter the remains of American Civil War Union army soldiers.

Its initial placement interfered with the expansion of the Arsenal's facilities, so it was moved to a location on the northern end of the island.

There are plans for further expansion of this cemetery including an additional pavilion, more land, and a wall for cremations near the tank track.