Burial scheduled: Third Union soldier discovered in Second Manassas surgeon's limb pit will be interred will full military honors at Arlington on Nov. 4

National Park Service archaeologists with human remains at Manassas in March 2024 (NPS)

An unknown Civil War soldier whose remains were found in a surgeon’s limb pit at the Second Manassas battlefield will be buried with full military honors Nov. 4 at Arlington National Cemetery, officials announced Monday.

The closed funeral will include an escort for the teen soldier who died in August 1862 at the Virginia battlefield. The remains of two other soldiers found in the pit were buried at Arlington in 2018.

“On Nov. 4, Arlington National Cemetery will honor this Union soldier with the solemn dignity, care and respect earned through his service to our nation,” said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of Army National Military Cemeteries and the Office of Army Cemeteries, in an Arlington news release. “Although the identity of this soldier is unknown, his sacrifice has not been forgotten. His reinterment affirms our enduring obligation to ensure that every service member receives an honorable final resting place.”

The National Park Service in August announced the March 2024 discovery of the young man, saying he was apparently buried in a New York infantry jacket.

The limb pit was discovered in 2014 during excavations associated with water pipe maintenance at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Two bodies and seven (possibly eight) amputated limbs were removed in 2015. The burial occurred near the site of a field hospital.

The entire pit was not excavated at the time, apparently because of time and funding limitations. While archaeologists believed there were more partial remains, they did not expect a whole set to be found when they returned in 2024.

Archaeologists found six brass New York State Excelsior coat buttons and seven brass cuff buttons with the soldier, who may have been a teenager. (NPS photo, above)

NPS documents studied by the Picket indicate the excavation yielded four new surgically amputated limbs and the body of the soldier. “Found in direct association with this soldier's interment was a rubber pocket comb,” the agency said.

The Army has requested the comb for the burial. (Photo above, National Park Service)

Monday’s announcement said honors will include a casket team, firing party, bugle, folding of and presentation of the flag, a marching element, military band and caisson. An Army Arlington Lady will accept the flag on behalf of the unknown soldier’s family.

The boy soldier will be buried in Section 81, near the other two soldiers, who were laid to rest in September 2018.

Officials did not disclose who will be present at the funeral ceremonies, saying services will be closed.