Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1878 — The Dead of Shiloh. [ARTICLE]

The Dead of Shiloh.

The dead were buried on the spot; the wounded removed to camp; the rebel camp destroyed, with a large amount of property, and this was the last of the fighting at Shiloh. The losses sustained by both armies exceeded the frightful number of 25,000 men. Four years after the battle, a writer, visiting Shiloh and Corinth, gave a hideous picture of the condition of things. He stated that 12,000 Confederate soldiers lay unburied on the two fields. After the battle of Shiloh, Gen. Grant ordered the dead of both armies to be buried. The inhumation, however, consisted of little more than a thin covering of earth, which the heavy rains have, long since, washed off, and the remains of brave men, who periled all for their country’s sake, lie exposed to the elements. This fact is disgraceful to the Government and the people, and should be remedied with the least possible delay. Instead of squandering means over idle parades, it should be our duty and pleasure to give the bleaching bones of our gallant dead the rites of decent burial. It is respectfully aud earnestly suggested that Congress adopt some measure for the preservation of the remains at Shiloh—that a cemetery be established aud graves properly marked ; also, that the church of Shiloh be rebuilt as a national memorial.— Col. De Hass, in Philadelphia Times. The custom of kissing the Pope’s toe was introduced about 708.