The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-11-13
THE GRAND ARMY.
Are the Graves of Our Dead Desc
Grated?
HEADQUARTERS NOTES.
Interesting Correspondence Concerning the Bodies
OF the Union Dead at Erankiin-N0n-Pa rtisanshp
OF the G.A.R.-Contributioa to Memorial Post.


Interesting Correspondence Concerning the Bodies
ofthe Union Dead at Frankiin-Non. craftsmanship
OF the G.A.R.-Contributio to Memorial Post.
TOLEDO, o., Nov. 1.
The visit Of Commander in-Chief Kountz
10 the South has been indirectly instrumental
in settling the runlor that the bones OF the
Union dead on the battlefield of Franklin,
where so many of our brave boys gave up their
lives have been ruthessly exposed 10 view by
the ploughshare and the spade and the ground
desecratcd where they lay. 1t is, perhaps. not
generally understood that the remains of our
fallen heroes on this battle-ground, as from the
bloody fields of the South generally, have been
removed 10 the National Cemeteries, and so any
attempt to cultivate the ground has not been
looked upon as an ofIense. The entire CORE
spondence, growing out of the rumor and the
prompt action of the COMMANDMENT Chief III
response to a comrades inquiry, is Of SO inter
esting a character that it is given entire. Prior
to his departure Commander kountz received
the following inquiry concerning the
GRAVES AT FRANKLIN.
WILLIAMSBURG. o., Oct. 8. 1884.
Commander in Chief, AR. Toledo o.
DEAR CoNRADE: As you are going South in
few days 1 would ask you TO stop at Franklin,
Tenn Go TO the Carter farna, where the bloody
battle fought, and look around over the FARM
near barn that has been built since the war.
who were buried where this barn stands. II is on
q side hill, and in digging out the foundation for
the barn they dug this trench open, and there were
still pieces of blue clothes in the trench. was
there last week. and told this by good people,
who know this TO he true and IL should he looked
into at once. ! have notified Robert s. Lincoln,
Secretary of War. Should you go before hear
from tie Secretary of War you viii please stop and
see TO this matter. 1t is disgrace TO this Govern
nlent TO allow this matter to stand. The bones of
our fallen comrades SHOULD be gathered up and
buried. Yours, in f., c., and L.,
Co C, soth Ohio: member j. II. Jenkins Post, No.
242, and late of Robert B. Beath's staff.
CARTER FARM INVESTIGATION.
Commander-in- Chief Kountz having referred
the above letter to Comrade 4. w. Wills. Of his
STAFF, attorney law, Nashville, Tenn, and
the officer detailed by Gen. Thomas to locate
and purchase National Cemetery lands, he re-
eeived the following reply, commenting upon
the letter of A. b. Carter, proprietor of the
Carter Farm. Both will be read with very
great interest:
NASHVILLE, TENN, Oct. q, 1854
Gen. Jso. s. KoUNTZ.
COMMANDMENTS Chief GAR, Toledo, o.
GENERAL: In returning the inclosed letter from
Comrade Barnes, which you handed me upon The
occasion OF your visit to Nashville the Goth inst,
with request that investigate the matter, have
the honor to report that j at once forwarded the
letter TO DIR. d. b. CliTe, OF franklin. Tenn, a near
resident of the Carter farm, an unfiinchi1g Union
man throughout the war, and a devoted friend TO
memory of the fallen braves. i requested the Doc
tor 10 Mr.. Carter and look into The matter fully
inelose the result in Mr. Carriers letter of date
October "a, 1884 and beg further to report that
upon receipt Of MIR. Carters letter visited Frank
lin in person and made personal investigation,
and find the facts stated by Mr.. Carter TO be true
t9 every particular. j was satisfied that Conrade
Barns was in error as read his letter, and
rs stated 10 you, for the reason that have been
on the battlefield of Franklin probably
twice every year since the war. / have known Mr..
Carter intimately for the past 20 years. and know
that he is a thorough gentleman in every sense
Of the word, and would never suffer the bones of
any soldier, regardless OF the side upon which he
fought, To be exposed 1t is well known 10 me
and TO the citizens of Franklin that before the
bodies of any soldiers We're removed from the bat
uefeld of Franklin to the National Cemetery this
same Mr.. Carter, with his own hands and assisted
by his own employees, frequently
COVERED THE REMAINS OF OUR DEAD
rs the rains would wash the dirt away. Tho Union
dead were removed with great care in 1866, u and
3, and it Is more than probable that some bones
were left and in some instances doubt a body
may not have been discovered, but no Govern
ment earth ever exercised such care and caution
In the removal Of her dead rs this great Govern
meDt of ours. / know whereof i speak for the
duty of locating and purchasing National Gene
terry lands in the Southwest when still officer of
the army. sDi constructed the cemeteries at
Shiloh and Corinth.
trust You will communicate these facts at once
to the Hon. Secretary of War, Comrade Barns
states in his letter that he wrote him on the sub
tect. and it would be well for Comrade Barns,
suggested by Mr.. Carter in the future when such
reports made 10 investigate them " Oh the spot"
particularly when he happens TO be in the imnie-
date locality, as he admits in this Mr.. Carter
takes great pleasure i'm showing any over The
battlefield, and takes great interest III preserving
every yestige of the terrible battle. On one side
Of his house there is not brick but that was torn
and shattered by the bullets, and frame house still
standing is literally perforated with bullet holes.
II this matter has been published or exposed i'm any
way. beg that these letters may be published in
cur Grand Army paper THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
q Washington, %. c.
Very respectfully, in f., C. and L.,
A. w. WILLIE,
(Bt. Lt.-Col u. s. Vols
A. ID. c., GAR.
THE CARTER LETTER.