Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1906-11-15
Point Lookout Cemetery.
COMMUNICATED

Nh. EDITOR Sometime ago, In
the course OF conversation. my az
tention was called to the condition
Of the Confederate Cemetery at Pt.
Lookout. and also to the failure Of
the excellent suggestions contained
In an article on this subject written
] by gentleman think Of that VII
clnity rand which appeared 10 your
paper. 10 produce any response.
The cemetery. uadersiapd. il
50 honeycombed with burrows 81
different animals thar the monu-
nent il 10 danger Of falling and
the general appearance 81 the lot
is so diIapIdated that instead Of d
memento Of gratitude to those who
are buried there and appreciation OF
their sacrifices. tho condition Of the
monument and surroundings are a
standing reproach TO the pnbIic
spirit Of our citizens and especially,
70 those who profess 70 sympathlze
with the principle for which these
men gave UP their lives. That they
did not die In battle is no reason
why they should be forgotten. The
circumstances surrounding their
deaths far more forcibly suggests
not only heroisn, but sincere devo-
tion to the cause they espoused, and
the principles advocated, certainly,
at that time by nearly every ciiizeni
Of our county flor less than score
would cover the exception than If
they bad fallen with their backs to
the Geld and their feel 10 the foe b
for, Ia the excisemento Of battle many
men, the majority. may say. are
blind 20 the Dangers they incur. or
II they consider them, confident 10
their ability 10 return bl0wfor blow,
they glory 10 them. But these men
bad no such satisfaction, nor did
they. liks sons 81 their comrades
have the satisfaction, when 81 was
accomplished which human endur.
ance and self devotion could achieve
Of retiring TO their bones Is spend
lhe remainder oi their DAYS amouQ
lhesr friends Inssead. having had
the misfortune d being taken priss
Noners. they we're hurried 70 the
unsAniiary surroundings Of mill
Itarg prison. % . barren neck Of
land. seemingly selected on account
Of lis unfitness, exposed ID The rays
Of : scorching sun. which heated
The sandbank % which they were
relegAted almost 10 the condition or
40 open furnace, and Ia She winter
subjected 10 the opposite exiremeol
discomfort incident TO the exposed
location Of their prison Many of
these men were already suffering
frun wounds received upon the field
which were aggravated BY lhe con-
dIlIons existing in their nncomfor.
Able surroundings others. who
Preached there ID full health, Ia q
short time, because Of these condi-
lions, contracted diseases which g.
cut short their lives and, il
reports are true, and ! have never
heard 81 them having been disprov-
cd, subjected 70 many Unnecessary
hnrdships and humiliatIons Their
| fate surely challenges the sympathy
Of every man and woman who has
any regard for human suffering and
iortitude. And, let us remember,
thai each one Of these men was
somebody's husband, son Or broth
or. and that many Of those who were
their mothers. wives and sisters
have themselves passed out Of This
life without knowing the the time Or
circumstances 81 their death Or the
place where their remains are laid
away
When these things are taken into
consideration, and also the fact that
the commanding officers Of these
military prisons were authorized TO
administer the oath Of allegiance to
The United States 10 any Confsder.
ate prisoner who desired 10 take II,
and that taking this oath would SCI
cure Tor the prisoner Immediate re-.
lief from his privations and proper
care for him, Il sick. Or with pa
role to 60 from the prison, when he
pleased. II we'll, and that they all
preferred TO endure their suiferinqs
and pFivaiions and death itself with
out hand or voice Of those they
loved to soothe their dying houEs,
rather than purchase relief at the
price 81 treason TO the principles
they proiessed, | think tits yslsinR
but little Of the surviving advocates
Of those principles and Of their des-