Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-07-30
The National Cemetery.

National Cemetery, which we found to
be intellicently and well kept. 10y Fir.
j. H. Page, the afable Superintendent,
who very kindly gave us aminute de-
seriptlon 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 ofs36O0.
The main entrance is in the centre Of
the west side, from Dufrocq street, which
runs along its front. From this 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 tea-
ture. Along the sides of the avenue a
line of oaks, interpreted with shruboery
and plants, afford ample and pleasant
shade and make the walk or drive de-
lightful.
The ground in the centre of the Gene
terry is low and was formerly marshy,
small stream running through it obllque-
" from southwest to northeast. This
was remedied by building large oval
brick culvert with lateral tile drains
running into it. An open drain
running north and south, and dlscharg-
ing into Florida street, also carries of.
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 i'll the central
avenue, near the Lodge and is set in q
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 surmOunted by an : inch
she'll is set in the centre Of mound. 4
, like Gun monument stands eguidiStant
from the east end.
Two thousand nine hundred aud sixty
four bodies are inferred here, Among
those known to our citizens are Capt. 5.
E. Robbins, Civil Engineer, Quarter
masters Department, United States army
who died during the epidemic Of l61c,
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
s note the resting place OF the Jodds. The
enclosing wall, however, Is III eYerIast
ING monument to their memory, us alsC
that of the Captain, who, although an
n thorised to stop the work then going OF
| under his supervision and inspection
= fell martyr to his devotion to duty. !
, splendid specimen of manhood i'll ply
: si0ue and stature, he possessed also grea
T.. nobility of heart aud won Tor hjluSe!
r MANY dear friends by his genial DISPOSE
n ton.
r The neatuess and order which Obtain
e in all matters, give evidence of constan
attention. The walks are kept in excel
lent order and we noticed no stained q
discoIored headst0neS. such as are me
: with in other cemeteries and give otfpns
to the eve bv the seeming neglect. "
are informed that they are given atten
: ton and cleaned whenever diSCOl0ratl0
" takes place.
,hont ~ oOo Iove hoau evrpnded !
" hringing this nlace I'M to its nrpsent cor
=, J;+;on Boo;Jos be;rc q do,iabtfrl snc
TO pass an hour or two. the Cemetery
an ornament to our city TO such {
!, our citizens as ride by daily, it afford
! quiet drive among beautiful shade trees
The Superintendent informs us that til
gates will BE- opened 10 all desiring t
enter the grouudS: they are only krr
1