Si Cantwell in the October 31st Wilmington (NC) Star News reports that tombstones are being raised an realigned at the cemetery. Over the years, little depressions have formed around the the gravestones, causing them to become uneven and some leaning over.
The cemetery was created in 1867. By 1870, there were2039 internments, 698 known and 1,341 unknown. These were all Union soldiers as Confederates were buried at Oakdale and other cemeteries. The remains were removed from Wilmington City Cemetery, Fort Fisher, and other sites around the area.
There are also the graves of 28 Puerto Rican workers who died in the 1918 flu epidemic. They were among a group of 1.900 Puerto Ricans going to Fayetteville to build Fort Bragg. The epidemic broke out on Nov. 14th on the government ship City of Savannah docked in the Cape Fear River.
Today, the cemetery covers 5.1 acres and 6,200 veterans and spouses are buried there.
Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
