Private, Confederate State of America Army Born in Canada,
Cronan served the Confederacy and was killed at the Battle of
Spotsylvania. He was buried in Arlington Cemetery, shortly
before it became a cemetery for Union soldiers, thus having a
double distinction of being a Canadian and a Confederate buried
in Arlington National Cemetery. Less famous than the others, but
truly unique is the life of the late Jerry Cronan. One of 40,000
Canadians who had fought in the American Civil War, Confederate
Private Jerry Cronan died of wounds suffered in the Battle of
Spotsylvania. He is the only Canadian Confederate who is buried
in Arlington National Cemetery. Shortly after he was buried,
Arlington became a cemetery for Union soldiers. Thus, Private
Cronan has a dual claim to fame, as a Canadian and as a
Confederate buried among the victorious enemy. Courtesy of the
National Library of Canada Posted: 30 June 2002 Updated: 27 May
2003 Updated: 6 September 2004 Updated: 19 June 2006