The National tribune., 1885-07-23
NEGLECTED GRAVES.
A Story from Mississippi Which Should at Once I
Investigated.

A Story from Mississippi Which Should at Once be
Investigated.
To THE EDITOR: A correspondent of the
Times Democrat, of New Orleans, La, thus writes
from Beloxi, Miss, under date of June Is, 1885:
Ship Island is one of group Of low sandy islands
lying off the Mississippi coast and separating the
strong waves of the Gulf from the more placid
waters of Mississippi Sound, forming at once q
breakwater and safe harbor. with sufficient depth
and ample room for the combined navies of the
world to ride at anchor in safety. The natural
trend of the island is from east to west 1t is IL
miles long by half mile wide at its greatest breadth
The pass through which vessels enter from the
Gulf is at the west end, and between this and Cat
Island, which is six miles distant.
After giving its earlier history, he continues ::
In 1862, the fleets of Farragut and Butler cast
anchor here, and the tents of all New England were
pitched upon the sands. Fresh from their Green
Mountain homes, most OF them young and unused
to the hardships of the camp, it
Is no wonder so many sickened and died, and
were buried among the sand dunes of the northern
shore. But why they have been SO long neglected
and forgotten know not and must leave the SUBJ
ject TO others TO explain.
About mile east Of the lighthouse. on the north
shore. is a range of sand hills on which the
Federal graveyard, inclosed by paling fence, and
here, in rough collins, were the soldiers buried
Cemetery at New Orleans when it was established
/ know not. 1t is a fact however, that they were
neglected and, perhaps, forgotten
Upward of a hundred feet of their resting place
has washed into the sea; the wind has blown the
sand from their graves, and left not only their
collins exposed but
THEIR BLEAcHED BONES,
polished by the drifting sand, strew the ground in
all directions. The day was fearfully hot as
walked among them and gazed upon their grim
ming skulls, whose eyeiess sockets filled with sand
presented CHASTITY and horrible sight y =
At time sheadboards marked these graves
yet failed to find but one among all these bones
and this bore the following inscription, cut in the
wood, no doubt, by some comrade:
Il. Miller, burlington, Me. Age, 20.
Long rows of collins and THEN fragments are seen
in place. with their heads to the west undoubt-
eddy they were originally placed but the lids
removed and they filled with sand. dug
down in one of them with my hands, but found no
bones, and as there are many hogs the island,
doubt they have displaced them. Legs of panta-
looms, sleeves of coats, and portions of vests lie
about, with here and there a military button still
attached. to show the wearer's avocation.
Some four or five years ago Mr.. McCabe Ordnance
Sergeant at the fort received order from the
Secretary of War to make personal examination
of the place and write him the condition of the
yard and all matters pertaining thereto. This
understand, the Sergeant did, but heard nothing
further about it,
Such is the story, emitting the comments of
the writer, told in the Times Democrat of June
81. Is it true? Is any part of it rue?-JAs.
BREWSTER, 33d Ill.