History of Antietam National Cemetery (page 10)

tees, held their first meeting on the 25th day of May, A. D. 1865, in Hagerstown, Maryland, and at once proceeded to organize by the election of Dr. A. A. BIGGS, as President, and THOMAS A. BOULLT, as Secretary and Treasurer. On the day following its organization, the Board, in its official capacity, visited the grounds and personally inspected them.

The result of this visit and inspection, was the adoption of a resolution by the Board, authorizing the President to purchase additional ground on the east side of the land already contracted for, consisting of about one acre and a quarter, with a view of throwing out a ravine on the west side, which would add greatly to the expense of the preparation of the grounds if retained within the enclosure, and appropriating it as a kitchen garden for the use of the keeper of the Cemetery, when such, an one should be thereafter selected by the Board. The purchase was accordingly made, and thereby the grounds enclosed for the burial of the dead have been more advantageously improved than they could have been had not this additional purchase have been made, and also an economy secured in the avoidance of a heavy expense.

At this same meeting the initiatory steps were taken to secure a list of the names of the dead, and to make a registry of the location of the graves. In the attainment of this desirable and important object, AARON GOOD, Esq. and JOSEPH A. GILL, residents of Sharpsburg, Washington county, Maryland, living in the vicinity of the battle-field, had in a measure worthily anticipated the action of the Board, and with a commendable zeal had, immediately after the battle, devoted their time and efforts to this truly humane and praiseworthy undertaking, with a success which had resulted in the collection of a large number of names and a carefully prepared register of the location of various graves which were scattered over a large section of country miles in extent, and which called for, on their part, great discrimination, patience and perseverance to accomplish. It would be impossible, were we so disposed, to withhold from these gentlemen that cheerful recognition of