>Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 20:12:58 -0400 >To: sconnaughton@pwcgov.org, bthompson@pwcgov.org >From: Ann Massengill/John Evans <nicojak@ftc-i.net> >Subject: Confederate graves >Cc: scvihq@edge.net, bristoestation@yahoo.com, shortbus.77@gateway.net, PAIGEBS@AOL.COM > >I have learned that the graves of some 700 North Carolina soldiers of Cooke's Brigade who died at Bristoe Station have been located in connection with planned development. It appears that these remains may not be properly removed and respectfully returned to their native state. This is certainly not what I would expect from the people of Prince William County, and I hope you inform me immediately of the status of this development. > >I would commend to you the procedures approved by Sons of Confederate Veterans for the removal of the remains of those aboard the CSS Hunley and advise you that this group can provide you with excellent advice on respectful disposition, should this development project be approved. > >I will be going to North Carolina this weekend and will check with the Attorney General to determine what the rights of the families and descendants of these soldiers are and what legal action may be required. > > >Ann W. Massengill >(Mrs. John L. Evans) >Chair, Johnston County (NC) Reunion >P.O. Box 1977 >Pawley's Island SC 29585 This letter -- and your contacts are also encouraged -- is in response to this info from Nancy Please in Virginia, a Massengale-from-Nash-County cousin, who notes that among this group is our cousin Gordon Massengale: >The battlefield at Bristoe Station, Virginia, has been proposed for a housing development called New Bristow Village. The Prince William County government is now reviewing this proposal. The developer attempted to find the unmarked civil war graves by randomly digging holes with a shovel, then gave up the effort. The plan calls for roads and houses where Cooke's Brigade charged and suffered over 700 killed, wounded, or missing. Cooke's Brigade was formed by the 15th, 27th, 46th, and 48th North Carolina Infantry Regiments. >If you wish to help prevent the disturbance of these graves, I ask your help to email county officials so that theses brave men of North Carolinia, will not be forgotten. They (the officials) need to be made aware that these graves are important and should not be ignored. Please send your message about the New Bristow Village Development to: > >Sean T. Connaughton was elected Chairman at-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors email: sconnaughton@pwcgov.org >Prince William Board of County Supervisors, Brentsville District Supervisor L. Ben Thompson >email: bthompson@pwcgov.org >Thanks, >in remembrance of their sacrifice, >J. Posey Buckhall > > > This is the first thing I have ever done publicly in the name of the Reunion, and I wanted you all to know it. I have also responded to the note Gerald Baine Jr. sent to the JOCO Rootsweb about the damage to a cemetery in rural JOCO. It is my view that all burial grounds are sacred, and several cases have been successful in Federal Court to prevent disturbance of Native American burial grounds. We have had actions here fight in favor of access to old "slave cemeteries" and helped save the "predominantly black" Holy Cross cemetery at Pawley's Island from absolute extinction when the road was widened. Actually, the extent of that fight was that our friendly neighborhood saint died, and she could have been buried beside her husband on either side -- the Vestry just picked the site right next to the highwyay right-of-way. now if they want to deal, they have to deal with Miss Ruby, a parochial school teacher at Faith Memorial School for 70 years! Seven bishops couldn't deal with her, either! And neither has the highway commission! I plan to continue this advocacy -- not from an anti-development stance but from an attitude of "these grounds are sacred and attention must be paid". There are family cemeteries all over the place -- out on the Banks they are pretty easy to spot because they're in the front yard! I am pretty sure I will get some information (some of it probably helpful) from the good old SCV (they're OK one-on-one but sometimes they started talking like a bunch of New-Age Knights of the Magnolia!). I also want any specific info any of you have on (a) the various laws and customs of removing graveyards, (b) any history you want to give me about Cooke's Brigade -- like how many actual "lost graves" our groups can claim kin to -- and (c) your personal views on how these things should be marked. The removal and return of the soldiers of the Massachusetts Brigades depicted in the movie "Glory!" followed the format I think is appropriate. I know we are not going to prevent development, especially in northern Virginia or on Waccamaw Neck!, but I think the dead are entitled to a marker marking the spot and telling of its historical significance, removal and return of the remains with military honors to the ONS, and access to the historical site... all at the developer's expense of course. We Episcopalians have a service for this that requires a bishop or a canon missioner... it's a nice service. There were several after Hugo. It is the Liturgy for Desecration, which means that after these steps are taken, the high-hat comes along and announces that the ground is no longer sacred. Sort of like a flag-burning. So, count up the number of relatives each of you who already knows this stuff can give me right quick, and I'll discuss how to proceed when I meet with Todd Johnston of the JOCO Heritage Center Monday. If you want to be a charter member of the Reunion corporation, i need you name, physical address, and phone number by 6 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday). Dues will probably be $10 to start. It's a good round number and ought to cover basic expenses. When we are incorporated and have a bank account set up, i'll let you know who will be handling the money and where to send it. annie