The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-04-14
Communicated.

The Legislature Of Maryland during the ses-
sion Of 1865, appropriated 81, 900, for the pur-
chase OF a suitable site on the Antietam battle
held, as National Cemetery for the burial OF
those who fell on that bloody day. To carry |
out the purpose of the Legislature ia enclosing, |
laying outs ornamenting the spot selected,
Dr. A. A Higgs Of Sharpsburg, Messrs. Thos
a. boulit OF Hagerstown G. e. Fulton OF BaltI- |
more and Gen. Edw. Shriver of Frederick, were
appointed Trustees on the part OF the State
Otner States represented among the dead were
invited to join with Maryland in the noble work
by sharing the expense and appointing each Que
Trustee.
In pursuance OF the act ofthe Legislature, Gov.
Bradford selected and purchased beautiful site
for the purpose mentioned, on the Boonsboro
and Sharpsburg Turnpike, near the latter place.
The spot comprises ten acres on commanding
elevation, from the centre of which the eye takes
in the entire battlefield 1t is the highest point
in the vicinity and was itself the scene of some
of the fercest fighting on that famous day.
huge rock projects near the centre of the
lot, called " Lees rock, y from which the Rebel
chieftain viewed the varying fortunes Of the day,
until the advance of the Union army drove him
and his host beyond the town of Sharpsburg =
Standing on this rock and facing Northward,
the spectator sees in the distance the residence Of
Mr.. Pry. used by Gen. Mcclellan as his Head
Quarters during the battle. To the left is " The
Old Church. which was so merciessly riddled
by the cannon, and sweeping around to the
right you have I" The Old Road - mentioned in
the reports Of the fight, where SO many Rebels
met their fate, with succession of high bills
from which the enemy were driven by the Corps
of Sumner and Hooker, stretching away to the
right, where Burnside so CALAMITY held the
bridge across the Antietam creek. Directly in
the rear is Sharpsburg with the Head Quarters of
Gen: Lee, and which was 6ercely Shclled by
the Union batteries after the Rebels were driven
back. Lutheran church standing in the rear
of the Cemetery was SO badly shattered that it
was torn down to prevent it from falling.
But few marks Oh the conflict remain. The
fences are replaced, the shattered buildings re-
paired, the roar OF cannon and the clash of arms
have subsidized into the quiet notes OF peaceful
industry, and the ground which SO lately drank
up the blood Of our fallen patriots has grown
green with the promise of rich harvestS.
The estimated cost of the work, Including the
removal of the dead, with the building Of a
Keeper lodge and proper ornamenting of the
ground is about $s5, OOO The Legislature of
Maryland at its last session, appropriated SIS, 900
additional, making SIS, 900 in ALL and the bal
ance Is apportioned among the several States ac-
cording TO their representation III Congress
number OF the States interested have already
made their appropriations and it is confidently
hoped the others will soon follow.
DR.. A. A. Biggs has been chosen President Of
the Board ofTrusteeS and General Superintendent
of the work, and Thomas A. Boult, Esq, Secre-
tary and Treasurer. These gentlemen, with the
funds ut their command, are pushing the work
forward with the most commendable energy. A
large part Of the grading is already completed
and considerable portion of the wall put up.
The wall will be massive enclosure of heavy
blue limestone quarred in the immediate vicini-
ty four feet high with a stone coping. The
work is being done in the most substantial as
we'll us economical manner. No part of the
work is given out by contract, but is mostly be-
ing done BY returned soldiers, employed and su-
perinteded by the local Trustees, Messrs. DR.,
Biggs and Thos. A. Boullt The lime used in
the wall is burnt on the ground of stone quarried
within the enclosure
| 1t is proposed to divide the ground into such
number of circular platS as there are States rep
resented among the dead, giving to each space
| proportional to the number TO be buried. 1t
will be suitably ornamented with trees and shrub
berry, laid off in walks and carriage drives, and
it is hoped, at some future day, 10 erect monu-
ment in commemoration of the heroic dead
The design as we'll as the situation, is most beau
titul and TASTEFUL and when completed, the An
tetam Cemetery will be a lasting monument
alike to the sacred dust which it encloses and to
the patriotic liberality and perseverance of those
under whose supervision the work is being done.
1t is estimated that between 1000 and 5000
| loyal dead, lie scattered over space of twenty
| miles, buried in fence corners, under trees and
by the roadside. Many of these have been disin-
| TERED and taken home by their friends. Over
| 1000 of the remainder have been identified by
name, regiment and State, and the work ofiden-
| LITIGATION is not yet complete The act of Legis-
iature provides that the Confederate dead shall
also be collected and buried in a part of the
| grounds separate from those of the Union army.
| The removal of the dead will begin as soon as
the Cemetery is ready. The National Govern
| ment is extending liberal aid to the work. The
Secretary of War has directed that all the collins
needed shall be furnished free of cost and an Of
| ficer with sufficient number of men has been
detailed to assist in the Refinement 1t is ex-
pected to dedicate the cemetery on the 18th of
| September next the fourth anniversary Of the
| battle
There is no more beautiful trait in the huma
character, than this feeling of generation for the
| honored dead. In all nations and ages it is the
same. The grandest and most durable remains
of antiquity, are the massive pillars and monu-
ments reared in commemoration of those who
fell IN defence of their country. Nations and IA.
| ces have passed from existence empires have
crumbled into decay vast cities have been lev
eled with the dust but deep down under the
accumulated debris Of ages, stand the silent re-
| cords of the heroes of the past imperiShabe as
the granite upon which they are inscribed =
And what can be more touchngly beautiful;
than that kindly pity which throws its veil over
our fallen enemies, SO that even amid the keen
sorrow for our own dead and the exultation
which we feel at their mighty work even while
we gather their sacred dust beneath the shadow
of monument, we forget not to guard and pro-
tect the remains of those at whose hands they
fell p?
In the coming years, when we who do this
work of love shall be gathered unto earth, like
our brothers fallen on the battlefield lei it be to
posterity an enduring monument of the glory of
true patriotism and silent but eloquent memo
rial Of the infamy of Treason.
Laures of light and tears of truth,
Flowers of love, immortal youth
Shall be for those who armed like men
And fought, but came not back again.