Alexandria Freedmen's Cemetery was established at the urging of Rev. Albert Gladwin, the civilian Superintendent of Contrabands. Brigadier General John P. Slough, Alexandria's Military Governor, seized a parcel on South Washington Street, Alexandria, VA, and established a cemetery for former bondsmen. Archeologists have confirmed the location of the cemetery, now under a street and a gas station parking lot. Many of those buried were "Contrabands", enslaved people fleeing to Union-held Alexandria to seek freedom and protection.