The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-07-25


ter The indications Of graves in very many
instances were almost entirely ohliterated, be-
inr grown over with grass aud weeds, and not
unfrcQuenily the soil had been cultivated, so
that Il was next 10 impossible 10 locate them
from aux indication on the surface. Relic
hunters had, IN some cases, dug up the bones Of
soldiers and carried away pieces, scattering the
rest over the ground. rendering it ditiicnlt TO
assort individual remains much less TO identify
them Col. Folsom also reports that their la
bors we're increased by the
"ExrREMELY HOSTILE SENTIMENTS OF THE
RESIDENTS
in mary localities, not only to those engaged
In the work, but even to the dead themselves"
Then again, the evils resulting from mex
perience IN the conduct of the war was sorely
felt in the case of the records of the dead, often
times hopCleSsly lost or past correction. In
commenting upon this subject, Maj. L. Ii.
Whitman, who was in charge OF mortuary
records and National Cemeteries in the Depart
ment OF Tennessee at this time, says:
Dcabtless in many instances the mortuary
records were neglected or left incomplete from
the influence of circumstances beyond the
control OF the officer in charge, bat oftener
from inexpcrience and want OF fOretheught,
and sometimes unqnestiOnably from cnlpable
and inexCusable neglect. I'm several cases
large number OF intermcnts were made by con-
tractors aud the records and grave marks were
the work Of illiieraie or careless employees.
Frequently the lists kept by Hospital Stewards
aud QuarJermasters' Clerks. intended 10 be cor
reel haye been rendered OF comparatively lit
tie value from barhar0us spelling aud bad or
careless peumauship. Many burials have been
made hv the troops on detached service or on
the march. The regimental returns alone viii
snow sny official record Of these, and the only
source Of information within reach is 10 be
found IN the inscri ptions or marks at the grave
itself, sometimes half-obliterated penciling
q rough bosTd, or 9 rude carving on q neigh
boring tree.
"In preparing list Of all Union soldiers
who have died or been buried within the limits
OF the Department, ] shall avail myself, AS far
as possible, Of hospital and Surgeons records,
of QUaIteTmastcT's contractors and under
takers lists Of private memoranda kept by
Chaplains Of regiments aud agents of the Sani
tary and Christian Commissions, and then Of
gleanings IN the woods and by the waysde, in
the quiet country churchyard. on the battle
field. and wherever the soldier has fallen and
found a thoughtful eomTade or hand of a
stranger 20 make the rude record, and as a final
and sometimes sole resort in the process of dis
iuterinE the bodies for removal to National
Cemeteries Of the evidence Of identity depOs-
lted in the grave itself"
What was true Of the Department of Ten
nessee was equally true Of other departments,
for tie records Of this department are the most
complete Of any. It is not surprising. there
fore, that SO large s. percentage OF those in
terred ln National Cemeteries is classed as
unknown"
N LOOKING FOR BODIES
each road where the army moved at various
times Was followed, and the entire country
searched. even 10 tracing obscure paths and by
ways Although the parties engaged in this
work were jealous in the discharge OF their
duties thure was no certainty that all the bodies
was made, Tor even 10 this day discoveries Of
remains arc made and the bodies removed TO
National Cemeteries. Yet, since the beginning
Of these operations information has been sought
from all sources that would lead 20 the re-
eovery sud Identification Of any bodies OF de-
ceased Unon soldiers, and the large number
that arc nOw resting within those Enclosures
sttesfs The thorOHghDess with which the work
was done. The average cost Of these transfers,
removals and reiutcrments was about $40 for
each body.
in connection with these operations was pre-
pared the Roll Of Honor" This work was
Published BY aut bority Of the Secretary Of War.
IN = volumes. and contains the names of all
soldiers buried in National Cemeteries and sol
dleTs lots, 20 far ~ they could be identified at
the date 81 publication. These volumes were
cistribHted 10 State and city Libraries through
out the country. Only one edition was pub
lished, and that is nOE exhausted. From causes
inaccurate. But when Congress authorized The
erection 0f beAdsfOBes ia National Cemeteries.
The &9ii o. Honor was taken as 2 guide 10 the
1nteTmeHts therein, and engineers eGupl0yed
by The Guartermasfer's Department were sent
70 tire various cemeteries, with instructions 10
prepare lists Of the iBterments in each and
coBsccHtigely number the graves The Roll Of
Honor vas then compared with these lists aud
with the reports 0f the Adjutani-Generals of
the States for verifcafiOn. Thus corrected.
with such additions and changes as have been
Eubseg uentiy made. it is to-day the oniy record
Of the iutermeats 10 the National Cemeteries
The information therein contained is very val
nable, frequently asked for by friends ard
kindred Vi the deceased, and accessible only at
the Office Of the National Cemeteries at Wash
ingt0n. IL has been estimated by the Public
Printer that their publication IN three COM
plete volumes, 5000 copies each. would cost
$4,000, and It is hoped Congress will early give
its attention 10 the subject
As regards the location Of the National Gene
teFies,
so.rE ARE or MILITARY EXCAVATIONS,
Others on land specifically donated for this
purpose, the larger part on sites that have been
purchassns while IN 4 few cases the property
has beer entered upon by order Of the Secre-
taFy o. War, under the provisions Of the act of
COngress Of Feb. p, 1861, and an sppraisement
made Of Us yalne. The last course WAS found
" &c EA phithAhE5 hll aBaAGDMEQ, The Govern
meut in almost all cases paying FAR in excess OF
the EetGa value Of the land. At Knoxville
Tenn, where the land Of John Dzmeron was ap-
prOpriaied be Board Of 4 AppraiseneEt estimated
y - worth 500 per acre, while IL was valued
~ that vicinity At only 500, or az most $50
per acre. The same thing was true Of the land
Oi j. EHDbs ~ Chattanooga, Tenn. the Board
Of Appraisement fixing the price al ten times
its conceded value In the additions that have
since been made by existing cemeteries. or in
the establishment Of new cemetsFies the Gov
ernmeut has had more latitude in its selection
and has been able 10 acquire land at ifs fair
value, Before the purchase money Is paid
good and valid title must he furnished, and In
ali CASES the states have cedcd jurisdiction over
the property u the United States.
Seventy three Of these cemeteries are under
the direct care Of q Superintendent. appointed
BY The Secretary Of War. These positions are
responsible ones, and are much sought. Ap-
Picants must fulfill the following condition. /:
J. They must have served IN the army OF the
United States, either Regular or volunteer, aud
must have been disabled Tor active field service
IN the line Of duty; but the degree Of disability
must not be such as 20 impair their efficiency
IN charge Of cemeteries.
z. They must be Of steady, sober and correct
habits
2. They must have a fair degree Of intelli-
geDce and education, and must be able 10 write
legibly.
~ sATIsFYIEG THESE CONDITIONS,
the snccessfal applicant is appointed as Assist