The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-29
DIsHoNoRED AMERICAN SOLDIERS.


The American people have become so ac-
customed to the annual observance of Me-
morial day that it does not occur to them
that thousands of American soldiers may
be sleeping in unknown and unmarked
graves in a foreign country, yet such is the
case. OF the thousands who were killed or
who died of disease in Mexico during the
war with that country all were buried with
cut any attempt at Identification, and their
graves have remained unmarked and neg
lected The case may be stated even
stronger, for in some instances the bones
of those thus buried in unmarked graves
have become exposed to view and to dis
honor. This is the case near the city of
Saltillo, where the bodies of more than five
hundred American soldiers killed in the bat
tie of Buena Vista were buried. The scene
of the battle was about fourteen miles from
Saltillo, and after it was over the American
dead were brought from the battlefield and
inferred in a desolate spot on the outskirts
of the city. The burial ground embraced
about two acres, and was inclosed with an
adobe wall built by the surviving comrades
was marked. Perhaps it was typical of the
times perhaps of the loose management
that characterized the Mexican war in
some other respects, that the administration
which prosecuted the war made no at
tempt to provide decent burial for the dead
soldiers nor ever marked one of their
graves. A correspondent writing from Sal
IL dot hoe ; he
neglected spot where the victims of the bat
tie of Buena Vista were buried:
The little cemetery has received absolute
~ no attention at the hands of the United
States government or any one else since
that time, over fifty years ago. The adobe
wall has crumbed into dust in many places,
and broad wagon road now runs dag
particle of vegetation. But the most horri-
bile thing about the place is that the ground
is Uttered with fragments of bones, which
time and rains have brought to the surface
from the shallow graves. Besides this, one
side of the cemetery is bordered by deep
half century have at times flooded this
stream, with the result that the bones of
many of the heroes have been washed away
and the bed of the stream is strewn with
pieces of human skeletons
Nothing like this has occurred in any war
since the one with Mexico. Beginning with
the CIVIL war the government mas PROVIDED
national cemeteries for it's dead soldiers.
and has given honorable burial TO all who
were killed who died in the service ex-
cept such as were buried by friends, and
has marked their graves either with their
names or as Unknown" The remains of
all those killed in the recent Santiago cam
paign. If not sent home were inferred in
Cuba at government expense and their
graves suitably marked This is as little as
a government can do in honor of the MEM
DRY Of those who die in defense of the flag.
About two years ago the United States
consular agent at Saltillo called the atten-
ton of the State Department to the con-
dition of the American soldiers cemetery
near that city and suggested that the mat
ter be laid before Congress with a view of
having an appropriation made for renter
ring the bones and improving and beautify-
ing the place No attention was paid TO the
suggestion, and the neglected condition OF
the spot has continued until 1t has become
worse than any pauper burial ground. 1t is
owned by Mexican, and it is said could be
bought for a moderate sum. The present