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A monument to prisoners lost to inhumanity Salisbury CSA Prison & National Cemetery
Salisbury, Rowan County

"In 18 trenches, just south of this spot, rest the bodies of 11,700 soldiers of the United States Army, who perished during the years 1864 and 1865 while held by the Confederate military authorities as prisoners of war in a stockade near this place"

"This monument was erected by act of Congress approved March 3, 1873 to the memory of the unknown Union soldiers who died in the
Confederate prison at Salisbury, N.C."

Not many years ago American schoolchildren were reasonably well educated about the issues of the War of The Rebellion. They knew of the major battles; Manassas, Petersburg, Gettysburg, and more. Most could recite the words President Abraham Lincoln spoke during the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. They also knew, or at least had some sense, of the carnage found on those battlefields and the atrocities at places like Andersonville and Salisbury.

Today that knowledge is fading from most texts, lost to an educational system that wants to continually 'test' its students without challenging them to comprehend concepts like rebellion, carnage, atrocity, responsbility, and political recourse. When Congress authorized this monument in 1873 the death of nearly 12,000 men in captive wasn't a history lesson. It was only one of many burdens of grief being carried by a healing nation. Although this honors the men buried here, its placement was surely a reminder to the local citizens that much of the guilt for the loss of these many men lay at their feet. They were the losers of the conflict, and responsbile for these unknowns. Maybe that is why the UDC monument that stands prominently in uptown Salisbury carries such a defiant tone, it was a parry to the northern thurst of conscience.

The symbolism of the large obelisk is impressive. The top is inscribed with 'Pro Patria', meaning For One's Country. Below that is a curtained list over the number 11,700; representing that while these names are unknown the total was determined to be about 11,700. And below that is a shield adorned with the stars and stripes of the Union, and headgear representing the fallen as warriors. All of this is probably lost to our youth today. We may teach reverence for our dead, but fail to have them look for the symbols that say so much more than we can. Nor can we expect them to understand the reference of another inscription; "For our country 'tis a bliss to die", because we no longer teach from the revered text of Homer. Whoever designed this mounument was from an era we no longer appreciate, nor fully understand.

Over 120 years later the wounds and the acrimony are gone. This is evidenced by a small bronze plaque that provides visitors a diagram of the burial area - placed by the United Daughters of The Confederacy.

"Maine's tribute to her soldiers who died while prisoners of war at Salisbury, N.C. 1864-1865"

"Neither hunger,thirst, nor offered bribes,
affected their loyalty."

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

"They fought for peace,
- for peace they fell,
- they sleep in peace and all is well."

 

The people of Maine hint at some of the secrets known only to the survivors of Salisbury prison. Social values were tested here and they proudly state their men met the challenge and stood with honor.

At the soldiers feet, on every side of the pedestal, a bas relief honors the infantry troops, navy sailors, cannoners, and mounted cavalry toops. Seige mortars are mounted at each of the four base corners of the memorial.  

 

 

"Many Pennsylvania Soliders Are Buried Here"

"They were citizens of a state whose founders came across the sea and established a Commonwealth where all men would be equal and, under just laws, free to enjoy their inalienable rights in the pursuit of happiness, unmolested by King or Noble or prejudiced class. They used the sword only to preserve the peace and unity of their country. Twice on the soil of their state were crucial struggles for the Republic. First at Valley Forge that tested the courage and fortitude of the Patriot army; then at Gettysburg, that proved the nation could not be broken. Respecting the example of the Romans, who never raised emblems of triumph over a foe, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania erects this monument to perpetuate the memory of the dead and not as a commemoration of the victory.

Their memory cannot be forgot; forever shall men's hearts revere their loyalty, and hold this spot sacred because they perished here."

"This monument is erected by authority of an Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, approved June 13, 1907."

"To commemorate the patriotic devotion, heroism, and self-sacrifice of the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania volunteers who died while confined as prisoners of war in the Confederate military prison at Salisbury, North Carolina, during the War of The Rebellion and were interred among the unknown Union soldiers and sailors in the eighteen trenches at the southeast side of this monument."

 

 

"Dedicated to the men and women of Rowan County who served this country with honor"

"This memorial was made possible by generous friends through the efforts of the Rowan County Veterans Council dedicated
May 27, 1990"

This cemetery is still accepting our dead, veteran and active duty casualties. Indeed, a few of the most recent interrments were of those fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan. The new dedications are less stilted and more straightforward. It's almost as if we accept our casualties as part of the progression of each era. There is less reflection upon the cause and more emphasis on the service and the loss. Only time will prove which perspective is more appropriate.