Sacrifice Poster

The POW prison located in Salisbury North Carolina during the war between the states became a most horrendous place beginning around 1864 when overcrowding became an increasingly large problem. Disease, exposure to the elements, lack of proper nutrition because of supply blockades by the Union and demoralization due to their environment sent hundreds and hundreds of Union soldiers from the Pennsylvania and Maine regements, among others, to their graves. Because of lack of space and the overwhelming influx of the dead daily, proper graves were not used, instead 18 trenches were dug behind the prison and the bodies were buried there. Today monuments stand among the site in tribute to the dead. 18 markers with the title of Unknown Soldier are positioned ahead of where the trenches are located and no other graves are placed in that area. The site is now home of a National Cemetary, like the one at Arlington, in which our service men and women are laid to rest among their fallen comrades of wars and eras past, but not forgotten by those who know the cost of freedom and value it's protectors.