Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-07-26
The National Cemetery.

be intelligently and we'll kept, by Mr..
J. H. Page, the atfabe superintendent,
who very kindly gave us minute de-
scriptlon of this beautiful camping
ground of the Union dead.
The enclosure is rectangle 1910 feet
east and west by 800 feet north and
south, contains a little over seven
acres and was purchased by the United
States in 1868, for the sum of $4,000.
The main entrance is in the centre of
the west side, from Dufrocq street, which
runs along its front, From tins entrance
an avenue 80 feet wide extends through
the enclosure to the centre of the east
side; space feet wide in the centre Of
this avenue is covered with shells, form
ing distinctive and very attractive fea-
ture. Along the sides of the avenue a
line of oaks, interspersed with shrubbery
and plants, afford ample and pleasant
shaIe and make the walk or drive de-
lightful.
The ground in the centre of the Gene
terry is low aud was formerly marshy, a
small stream running through it Oblique-
ly from southwest to northeast. This
was remedied by building large oval
| ~, To- ~ IL,
running into it, An open drain
running north and south, and discharg-
ing into Florida street, also carries off
an immense amount of surface water and
this low ground has thus been rendered
capable Of cultivation and is now nicely
laid out with plants and shrubs.
The flagstaff is erected in the central
avenue, near the Lodge and is set in
handsome iron socket or base. In the
same avenue and about $50 feet from the
entrance "a FOUNDER seige gun, plant
ed on end and surmonnted by an inch
shell, is set in the centre of o mound. A
like gun monument stands equidistant
from the east end
Two Thousand nine hundred aud sixty
four bodies are inferred here. Among
those known to our citizens are Capt. S.
| Il. Robbins, Civil Engineer, Quarter
masters Department, United States army
who died during the epidemic of 1873,
as also the Jodds-father and son--con-
tractors for the construction of the hand
some brick wall enclosing the grounds.
A headstone marks the place where Rob-
BINS lies, while two wooden stakes de-
note the resting place of the Jodds. The
enclosing wall, however, is an everlast-
ing monument to their memory, as also
that of the Captain, who, although au-
thorised to stop the work then going on
under his supervision and inspection,
fell martyr to his devotion to duty. A
splendid specimen of manhood in ply
sique and stature, he possessed also great
nobility of heart and won for himself
many dear friends by his genial DISPOSE
ton.
The neatness and order which obtain
in all matters, give evidence of constant
attention. The walks are kept in excel
lent order and We noticed no stained or
discOlored headstones, such as are met
with in other cemei cries and give otfense
to the eye by the seeming neglect. We
are informed that they are given atten-
ton and cleaned whenever discoloration
takes place.
About S55, 900 have been expended in
bringing this place up to its present con-
dition. Besides being delightful spot
to pass an hour or two, the Cemetery is
an ornament to our city. TO such of
our citizens as ride by, daily, it affords
aquiet drive among beautiful shade trees
The Superintendent informs us that the
gates will be opened to all desiring to
enter the grounds; they are only kept
closed to prevent the entrance of stray
cattle.
Park settees are placed in different
portions Of the grounds for the CONVENE
ence Of visitors desiring to rest in the
shade.
Az ire entrance We were confronted by
porter inviting visitors to the Office Of
the superintendent Lodge,a also re.
quest to register our names in book
kept for the purpose, which we did. The
manner in which we were received
proved conclnsively that we we're not
regarded rs Intruders.
We must not fail to remark that the
drinking water at the Cemetery is cx-
cellent. Obtained during the winter
rains, kept in an underground cistern, it
10 both cool and clear and decided i'm
provement upon that contained in wood
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