Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-10-17
The Antietam Cemetery.
DY II X. d.

In our last issue we took OCCASION TO
speak Of the trustees Of the Corporation in
removing Lees Rock from the grounds Of
the Cemetery. Whatever might be the
true history Of that stone, or lis intrinsic
or ornamental value, we thought then as
we think yet. iha, the proceeding was the
result Of that petty malice which generally
chsracterizes those non-combatan, Yam
kees; that class who are trying 10 make
M in vindlcriveness what they lacked in
courage and patriotism during the days
when the armed powers OF the Rebellion
were bruising and beating the Govern
men, until its life was despsired Of. Then
there were blows 10 receive ss we'll as TO
give; now they can exercee Iheir "envy,
haired end malice, " in safety. But 'hcre
is one other matter in this connection, IL
Illustrative of the same New England char.
scteris,ic iha; we wish 10 speak Of. In
1864, when The Legislature Of Maryland
appropriated IS OO0"lo The purchase and
enclosure Of part Of the Battlefield at
Antielam, for the purposes Of State end
National Cemetery" they were careful
10 provide that "ihe bodies Of those in the
army Of Gen. Lee who fell, shall be buri-
ed in said Cemetery, in seperate part Of
the Cemetery efrom those OF Gen. Nc
CleIlan's army who fell" This scl pro-
vided resting place OF safety and respect
ability for all who lost their lives in that
ho, engagement, whether they wore the
coat OF Blue or jacket Of Grey. Have
The wishes Of the State Of Maryland been
regarded! ], is notorious that they have
not. Although four years and a-hai have
passed away during which Maryland has
appropriated 81 ), 900. to this Cemetery /;
although this and other money has been
avishly expended. and the dead Federal
Soldiers collected and paid for by the
head; although Trustees have been ap-
pointed representing every section OF this
Union (excep, the South who have had
meeting after meeting, and pledged them
se,e, 10 the memory Of their departed he
roes in baskets OF wine; although the
President Of the United States has been
there and the Governors Of Loyal States,
and the grounds have been dedicsied and
consecrated. with all the pomp and pride
and circumstance of American ostenIa-
lion; not a Confederate Soldier lies buri-
ed within ,hs, massive wall, Except those
who were removed thsrn and paid for by
contract as Union Soldiers) and the dead
heroes who held ,hs, line OF hills. against
three times their number, are scattered
through field and wood ,unsoUght and un-
cared for; have rotteC with autumn leaves,
or been ploughed under with the grass,
that drew its rankness and richness from
their blood. This ought not TO be.
Surely The people within whose State
this Cemetery lies do not sanction such
conduct. On the contrary. the LegIsls'
,ure Of Marylsnd las, winter apPropTis-
ted $4,000, for the purpose OF removing
the Confederate dead within that enclo-
sure. And YET not single step has been
taken. that we know oil, In that direction.
And this TOO, when the money OF The
people Of Maryland has been freely spent
in collecting and burying soldiers from
the rich Northern States that have not
paid one dollar toward me burial Of their
own sons in ihis CenetWF F-These large,
wealthy Commopweslihs are willing 10
permit The small Southern State Of Mary
land, to take care OF their dead, while the
gentlemen who represent these States 10
the Board OF Trustees are crying out a.
gainst the inIermput Of the Confederate
dead in This holy ground. In referring 10
the report Of the General Superintendent
OF the An,ie.am Cemetery, dated Sharps-
burg, May 4Ih. 1868, We find this SEN
.ence-"I regret 10 inform the Board that
the States Of Vermont, New Hsmpshire,
Delaware, Illinois, Wisconsin and Mchi-
gan hsve not yet contributed 10 The fond
OF the association" He adds that the
Governors Of PennsylvsnisI,he gallant
Gesry-GOt save the mark! and OF Wis.
have withheld The appropriations. because
OF The provision in the Charter with regard
10 the Confederate dead. Is The Hero
Of Snickersvllle" still afraid OF The dead
Confederates, and would he. Fslsisf like,
gain renown, By Plunsing his valiant
sword into their poor decsying bodie. !
Will he no, forgive! Can he not forget
tue days OF his c,mmsnd in Virginia,
when The sound OF StusrtS 6ugle or the
distant hot Of Jackson. guns, scared hi o