er part of July, and while
there I assisted in disinterring the remains of five of my comrades, of
the 12th N. Y. Cavalry, who were killed in a charge near that place in
July, 1863, and give them a christian burial.

The following letter, which was written at the time and was published in
the city papers, gives a brief description of the funerals:

CAMP NEAR TARBORO, N. C., May 17, 1865.

MR. SAMUEL MILLER:

MY DEAR SIR--I have just returned from assisting in performing the
last sad duties to the heroes who fell in the gallant charge near
this place in July, 1863. I personally superintended the disinterment
of the bodies, and readily recognized your brave boy by his hair,
teeth, and the shape of his head. I also recognized the body of
William Davis. Capt. Simeon Church was there, and recognized his twin
brother, Capt. Cyrus Church, and others who were present recognized
the others.

Six were buried in one grave, and all were in a perfectly nude state,
the fiendish brutes having appropriated to their own use every
article of wearing apparel. We had a coffin made for each one. When
disinterred they were placed in coffins made of white wood, and their
names written on the covers. The bodies were brought into camp, when
the funeral procession was formed in the following order, viz:
First, the regimental band; next, forty men mounted on white horses,
with drawn sabres; next, the chaplain; next, the ambulance, with the
bodies of Capt. Cyrus Church, and Sergt. John P. Miller and William
Davis, with six officers acting as pall bearers by the side; next the
officers of the regiment; next twelve men mounted on bay horses, with
drawn sabres and commanded by a Sergeant; next the ambulance
containing the bodies of S. Mulligan, H. Rood and David Carl, and in
the rear the dismounted men of the regiment.

At 2 o'clock the procession moved with sabres reversed, the band
playing a solemn dirge, and marched to a beautiful burying ground in
the village, where the Episcopal burial service was read by Chaplain
Palmer of our regiment. We are thankful that we have at last had the
mournful privilege of giving a christian burial to our fallen
comrades.

Appropriate headboards were placed at the graves. The coffins were
made small enough to be placed in other coffins for removal. I