The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-04
CONFEDERATE CEMETERY.
Only Five Graves Marked ID the 0ne at
spotSylYania.

Editor cf The Times.
Sir.-I am not sure that it is generally
known that there IS 4 Confederate CsInc-
terry at Spotsylvania Courthouss. VIZ.
was not aware of the fact, CT else hal
forgotten it, until l came here 4 little
wore than two years ago
The cemetery is inClosed with u barbed
wire fence. and has IN arch over a
double .ron gate, and over the arcti il
large letters appear the words .'Confeder
ate Cemetery
l have been informed that about 800.
OF the BOYS in gray were put in the
trenches III that cemetery. There are
some trees in the enclosure but few
slabs to mark the resting places OF tho
patriotic dead. 1t is said that some wern
taken UP after the war and removed to
their homes and reinterred.
There are only five stones in the who's
cemetery to designate the sacred dust.
The first l notice is II. G.. Franklin with
nothing to Indicate where he from.
or when and how he died. Possibly his
loved ones did not give other data
The second stone bears this inscription:
Lit. w. &. Hutton. Co. y. Ala Bat.
Killed at Battle OF characteristics.
May ), 1862; Aged % Years" Poor fellow.
He was a long way from home, loved
ones, and native land, and fell in tho
vigor of young manhood!
The third slab is marked: 'Thos. J.
Hardin, Col. 18th Reg't. Miss Vol. Born
in Monroe Co, Ky. Jul. 18th, 1S29. Fell
in Battle OF SpotsyIyania. May L, 1861.
lie. too. sleeps a long weJ from his home
and will not be gathered TO his loved
ones till the roll call OF the resurrection
is sounded.
The fourth tombstone has on it: "Chas.
G. Stewart, Co. E. 31st Va. Reg't. c. s.
Tie fell in his n2tice State.
The fifth monument has this inscriptions:
I'm Memorlam john W. Livingston, Grti
Ga Rcgt. Killed May 10. 1868. \ True
Patriot, y Sincere Christian" This ends
the list. and 50 far as we know slabs
marked unknown might be erected at
the heads of all the balance.
1t is sad to think of the hardshipd
through which these poor boys went, and
God only knows the cold and hunger they
often endured, and yet they are sleepinE,
in the dust with unmarked graves, anal
occasionally o bone is seen on top tho
ground have afteu thought tho
Southern States should improve thesu
GENE terics.
when sec tho stones in the national
cemeteries designating every man. his
State, etc. so far ds possible, and where
it is impossible then a nice stone marked
Unknown l think OF the poorly-kepE
cemeteries Of the dead who wore the
II 4sotlL ~ tttARN< t4t''tt7<i-A4
OF dollars 10 erect monuments TO PreSt~
dent Davis and others. while the men
who had to suffer from hunger. cold.
nakedness and fatigue. and worst of all.
had TO stand in front OF canons, mus
kets and bayonets with the Ieadea hail
falling around them thick and fast, CIV
ing up their life blood FOR the lost
cause so unhonored?
| nm. glad | have never been in war.
hut RI for the noyS I'M
were in the front. and ! wish that
headstones could have been placed at tho
graves of the comrades who fell in battle
TO designate the sacred dust. until
the bugle call of heaven shall call them
before the Judgment bar OF God.
REV. j. w, HICKMAN.
Spotsylvania, Va. Jan 80, 1902.