The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-03-06
A NATIONAL CEMETERY.
4 rIsa for a soIdIer., era,srard in AlasEa.

4 Plea for n Soldiers Graveyard In Alaska.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: | beg leave
to submit matter which may interest many
of the old soldiers of the country. When the
transfer of Alaska was made TO the United
States, Capt PETROL. OF the Russian army.
acted as Commissioner for tho Car. and Gen
Lowell II. Rousseau for our own Govern
mont. That act was witnessed by about $50
soldiers Of the Army of the United States un-
der Gen. JET. G. Davis. and a portion OF the
Navy, which had accompanied and transported
the cxpcditionary force. The troops remained
In occupation until 1879, when the sole control
was left with the naval authorities until 1891
when a form Of civil government came in.
Many Of tho soldiers, marines, and sailors
who were here ia the meantime had served
CALAMITY during the civil war in the Union
Army aud Navy and some Of them died when
ola duty here 4 knoll about throo.quarters of
mile northeast OF the town OF Sitka was So
lected "a tho cemetery for the remains of these
men. 1t was q beautiful spot as nature left ID.
At tho highest point overlooking the hcauti-
fully island.gtudded bay, stands gigantic hem
lock, whose low branches droOp over the spot
where rest 81 men who served their country
faithfully. Two smaller yellow cedars stand
near by. and shelter the spot with their ever
green foliage Years ago. a neat fence iuclosed
the place. Boards were erected at tho head OF
each grave, with the name and rank of the sol
der aud sailor. After all it became n neglected
spot. When / came here last fall / found the
wooden Enclosure all gone 10 decay. The
boards at the graves were rapidly disappearing,
aud the inscriptions, in paint,were almost oblit-
Grated The graves were oVCrgrown with the
tail, coarse grass which fourshes in this humid
aud rainy climate, and with bramblos and hazel
bushes, until one could hardly tell that human
beings were resting there in their last tual
sleep. The scene presented WAS a disgrace 10 "A
Government like ours which processes 80 great
an interest in the welfare and the memory OF
her soldiers, II was disgrace TO the Federal
civil officers who had exercised authority In
tho Territory since the organization of civil
government in 1854. As soon as / discovered
this condition Of affairs, and saw the previous
neglect OF the graves of some of my unknown
comrades in the service | at once addressed n
letter to the Quartermaster-Ge General of tho Ar
my, nj Washington, requesting that the place DO
declared National Cemetery, and cared for as
such The letter was kindly referred To the
Deputy QuaItermasterG General at San Fran
cisco, who IN replying TO my letter to the Quar-
termaster.Gencral made the inquiry whether
III would not lie more feasible and practicable
10 remove the remains of these u soldiers and
sailors to the National Cemetery at san Fran
cisco for final aud definite interment. This
seemed imprcticabe. The name and rank of
each one had been carefully preserved by old
~,
permanently residing here, and the means of
an accurate Identification of each grave was at
hand from the same source These names and
rank were furnished tho Deputy Quartermas-
ter-tchernl AZ San Francisco months ago aud
to-day tho bi-mOnthly steamer brought from
that city, consigned by him, II sets of head and
foot stones OF marble, appropriately inscribed
10 be placed over the graves OF these men So
long neglected. The sailors and marines on
duty here in connection with the Pinta, and
old soldiers OF the Union army aud members
OF the Grand Army OF tho Republic united in
putting around the cemetery Il new neat nco-
sure. The ground has been cleared of its un-
signify lncumbrance and "a new road across the
intervening swamp, connecting with the Gen
Davis road, has been constructed All that ro.
mains now TO complete tho restoration is the
placing OF the grave Stones, which will be done
by the sailors Of tho l'inta, who will cheerfulIy
discharge this duty. Ii has been arranged that
the United States Judge for Alaska for the time
being, shall be the permanent custodian Of the
premises, with the charge OF its oversight and
preservation, 1t is q romantic aud attractive
spot Fr0m.the highest knoll one can sec across
The beautiful bay, with its score of islands aud
islets, To tho west aud s0uth-to the west far
into the Pacific Ocean 10 tho northwest. IA
miles away, rises the magnificent cone of Mount
Edgecombe an extinct crater. whose blue aud
purple sides radiate the most brilliant colors i'm
the glow of sunset. Across the bay southwark
range OF high mountains rises close by the
edge Of the water, aud terminates in scores of
pyramidal bare, rocky peaks; while to the east
and southeast, 0yerhanging the spot with its
deep shadows is Mount Verstova, with its lofty
summit crowned with an enormous triangular
arrow head OF gray granite and brown porphyry
It's lit aud quiet resting place after stormy
and boisterous career on sea and on laud.--J.
III. *, Sitka, Alaska.