The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-26
DEAD SOLDIERS REINTERRED.
/ Remains of Seventeen Transferred
| from old Fort COnchO to San
AntOniO.

San Antonio, Tex. Aug. 2.-(Special.) -
The last of the dead troopers of the United
States army who have for fifteen years
been Wondering into dust under the sod
of the old and abandoned Indian post of
Fort Concho. near San Angelo, have been
laid away in the national cemetery in this
city. They were soldiers of the Sixteenth
infantry and of the Tenth cavalry, who
had passed away either on the field of ac-
ton with the Indians or during the years
of peace that closed the short but stir
ring history of Fort Concho. There were
seventeen remains, fifteen being those of
soldiers and two of children. There Were
no ceremonies, no salute. no taps. Au-
gust Miller, the venerable superintendent
of the national cemetery. and Mexican
grave digger were the only witnesses.
The remains were shipped from San An
gclo in Il freight car, the remnants of each
corpse being placed in separate box
When the gruesomc cargo arrived here it
was loaded upon Il large government
wagon and hauled off TO the national Gene
terry, where seventeen graves had stood
open for days awaiting the arrival of the
dead. The Identification of the remains
were very unsatisfactory, the headsOncS
of the graves and the markings on the
collins having in most instances passed out
of existence. OF the remains themselves
only few heavier bones were left. Act
ing Quartermastcr Siebett of San Angelo.
under whose supervision the removal of
the remains was conducted, was able TO
furnish only Il partial record of identili.
cation. From this record il is learned
that six of the remains are those of sol
diers of whom neither names, rank nor or
gunizations are known. The remaining
bodies are described thus: Michael Cnryin.
Sixteenth United States infantry, i. ii.
H.. Sixteenth United States infantry; Sam
Wood, private, Company III. Sixteenth
United States infantry; unknown, private,
Company ii. Sixteenth United States in
fantry; 1T Buchli. corporal, Company ii.
Sixteenth United States infantry;
Chapman. corporal Company Il, Sixteenth
United States infantry; TT Sedger, hos,
pital steward, United States army; nm
known. Tenth United States cavalry un-
known Tenth United States cavalry: An
ME Meyer, child, died June -. 1877; Mag
gle Hayes, child. rt. ...--..
Fort COncho was one of Il series of In
dian posts established from San Antonio
west along the famous old Buttoriield
stage line to California and the north
west 1t was established in 1867. and was
garrisoned by six infantry companies
and four companies of the Tenth cavalry:
The fort was situated on two forks of
the Coucbo river i'm the heart of the Co
manche Indian country and its forces were
constantly called upon to pursue the ma
rauding bands of Indians who carried on
their raids 10 within few miles of the
fort itself. After the Comanches ceased
their depredations the country rapidly
settled up and Fort Concho was soon af-
terward abandoned as being Of no further
service in that section. On abandoning
the fort the remains of 105 Of the soldiers
and members Of soldiers families buried
in the post cemetery at COncho were re-
moved TO San Antonio for reinterment.
The seventeen bodies which have just
been reinterrcd in this city were in some
manner overlooked. The existence OF these
neglected graves was brought to the atten.
ton of the authorities at Washington, ana
the remains were ordered reinterred III inc
national cemetery of this city.