Conversation so far:
Where was the burial?
the Washington Arsenal.
Who was there?
Herold's body was next, followed by Powell's.
Surratt's body was cut down at 1:58 P.M.
Were they hanged?
The bodies of the executed were allowed to hang for about 30 minutes and soldiers began to cut them down at 1:53 P.M.
Why were they hanged?
CANNOTANSWER.
What year was it?
CANNOTANSWER.
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
The coffins were buried against the prison wall in shallow graves, just a few feet from the gallows.

Question: Why were they like that?
Self-contained rewrite: Why were the coffins at Washington Arsenal buried against the prison wall?