The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-09-02

QfeQ eololef RfANoe-0x nunuTe0 Auo my u
them toeether-out in our grave yard. Side
BY side, in rows Of Fifty perhaps, with The
clovered walk between; every graveheap -
much like every other grave-heap - can be;
but with the head,marks and hfe-sorrow in
some heart to distinguish them. It u veil
that they are now being'so cared for By the
Government to whose rescue in their life they
came well that the graves are being marked
with head boards and foot boards, with the
name, company and regiment Of the soldier
inscribed on the former.
The City administration gave one Of the
handsomest portions Of the Cemetery to the
Government for the burial Of its dead. 1t
will be fenced into . lot by itself; mort Of
the material for this purpose il now
on the grounds. Captain j. W. Pessmsh, Of
the Quartermaster's Department., who has
the work in charge, is having the graves cared
for and marked BY erecting the head and foot.
boards We we're there recently. The work
il being we'll done. Captain Pesrman IL
manifesting proper interest in the matter.
The Government did we'll TO select him for
the work.
The graves are all numbered. Down at
the lower side, at the edge of the hill-crest,
this begins; a semi-circuiar row the outer
one, but all the other rows straight. Some of
the graves have no name upon them; there is
no record Of their occupants; no way to dis
tinguish them; ashes with ashes; dust to
dust; they were soldiers, and they sleep now
that all. But it's sad; that d" UNKNOWN"
only that and nothing more. There comes
here the mother, wife, child, eager to see but
the mound under which slumbers the loved
unto the great awaking They search among
all the marked graves; among them all the
wanted name doesn't appear. But here ia .
nameless one among it, fellows. This it must
be- Love and Sorrow would kneel here. No;
here is another nameless one, and yet snoth-
mighty grief There were i'll defined
warnings and uncertainty before; that nm
certainty must continue henceforth; 1t 10 q
spirit>sadness forever. God pity them; there
Is no uttp tUT IL IhuSH - WV ~ w
GREETED that these blanks should be. the
strictest search has not been able to make it
otherwise. And there are not many of them.
Captain Pearman informs us that the records
here are the fullest and most accurately kept
of any that he has found in the State.
Among the grsyss are some Of rebels. On
either side are Union soldiers. The graves
are all cared for alike. Some bavs suggested
their removal from among the Union spl
diers God forbid! Probably had thought
been taken at the time they would have heen
buried by themselves, but as it is, let them
rest. There is no strife among the dsdd.
Heaven help u.s. shall We, the living, carry
bitterness beyond the grave! Nay, verify
Let us oppose Injustice and Wrong in the
living; let us not wrong humanity in the name
of charity; nor, with tenderness for eFriig
bnt persisten.y unrepentant brethren, 10
grievous wrong to millions, to the Govern.
ment, to civilization, to the principles of free
government, to the American people, Amefi
can liberty, aud Gods justice. But as God
is good. and Love divine, and gentleness
noble, aud the Death-land Heavens own
province. when the suemy's weapons have
fallen from his grasp, when he strives no nore
then hence all bitterness; this clay wreck even
is divine.
There are few score graves of negro soil
diers. They ere together, aud cared for as
the others.
With admirable consideration, a spot cent
trally situate in the cemetery has been left fof
the erection of O monument. This 10 . trib.
ute OF regard due to the loyal, heroic dead
from the loyal, appreciaiive living. We hope
ere long to see. movement inaugurated
which shall result in the erection of hand
some monument.
We are glad that our soldier cemetery is
receiving this attention. Captain Pearman
deserves great credit for the efficient dis.
charge of his duties. As we honor the sol 4
diers of the Union for their sacrifices and
services, and great achievements, let their |
memories be cherished; let their graves be |
we'll preserved. The Government will do |
tins. 1t desires, also, record of deceased |
soldiers, with their places of interment I'll
parties and papers in localities where sol
dlers are buried will address Captain Pear
man or write to the officer in charge |,
Of this work in the district, giving name of
soldier. with company and regiment aud date |
Of death, they will enable the Government to |
perfect the records, and be doing a public |
good.