Shiloh Cemetery

Friends of Shiloh Methodist Cemetery decided the best way to observe Memorial Day would be to care for the long neglected graves of a serviceman and his family, so four of our volunteers met this morning to do just that. At the small, Carlos Family Cemetery in Macon-Bibb County, our volunteers tackled a tough project and made unbelievable advances before 9:45 AM!

Like many other local cemeteries featured on this page recently, within the last year or so thieves struck the Carlos Family Cemetery, stealing a good amount of the original iron fencing as well as the beautiful, ornamental gate which used to stand proudly on the North side of the site. HOPEFULLY, with visibility into the site unbelievably better and nearby neighbors taking notice of the history lying so close to their doorsteps, the citizens surrounding the cemetery will assist in monitoring and protecting the site in the future!

As you all observe the holiday in your own way, remember to say a prayer for the families of our national HEROES of ALL conflicts, and thank Almighty God for people so willing to sacrifice themselves for their fellow Americans! Have a safe and RESPECTFUL Memorial Day, from everyone at the Friends of Shiloh Methodist Cemetery, Corporation.

It takes an absolute horror of a human being to vandalize the final resting place of another person, ESPECIALLY when those people have been resting peacefully for over one hundred years and DOUBLY SO when some of the graves are marked as veterans graves!! However, just that happened within the last couple of weeks at the Hancock/Shirah Family Cemetery, which is very close to Shiloh!

Unknown vandals entered the cemetery and unearthed EVERY marked grave stone they could find. They spray painted a couple of them, broke one stone, and removed memorial metal crosses from the veterans graves. They then buried all the stones and markers underneath pine straw, leaves and debris before leaving the cemetery in a complete state of disrepair and disrespect!

THANKS to members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, LT. James T. Woodward Camp #1399, within 24 hours of the discovery of the vandalism, EVERY marked stone was back in its original place with the exception of the one which will have to be repaired (For the second time due to vandalism). The cemetery was also raked, cleaned and security measures put in place. The members of the camp are personally seeing to the repair of the damaged stone and memorial crosses, which will be returned to they cemetery soon.

The Warner Robins Police Department was contacted immediately upon discovery of the damage, and they initiated a thorough investigation to include fingerprint processing and photographing all damage. The response was timely and professional, and we anxiously await the results of the investigation.

In the meantime, if anyone uncovers any information regarding the desecration and vandalism to Hancock/Shirah Cemetery, PLEASE contact the Warner Robins Police Department at (478) 302-5378, or dial 911 to have an officer respond and take down the information! PLEASE HELP US HOLD WHOEVER DID THESE UNSPEAKABLE ACTS ACCOUNTABLE, and continue to protect the history and people who made our society what it is today!!

Pictured: Photos taken of damaged and hidden grave stones and memorial decorations, and after shots of the hard work and dedication shown by SCV CAMP #1399 members who helped return the cemetery to as normal as possible under the circumstances.

+++Josh+++

We waited to post this to allow time for a resolution, but the Trustees at Shiloh wanted you to see the battle that’s being fought to protect this sacred ground. Just a couple of weeks ago, we had almost 30 volunteers in the cemetery, working for the entire day. It’s NO SECRET the cemetery is there, and clearly under the care of a lot of dedicated volunteers. However, one week after our work day, we arrived to find a huge area of concrete dumped inside the cemetery grounds and left discarded.

A quick investigation made it absolutely clear the concrete had been the result of home improvements made at one of the neighbors’ homes. The concrete was obviously leftover and carelessly dumped behind the residence, regardless of the cemetery. It was unknown whether the neighbor had been responsible for the illegal dumping, or their contractor, but the action itself was unspeakable.

A report was immediately filed with law enforcement, and an offer extended through the Deputies who responded that the neighbor have the concrete removed within a week. As of 6 days after the report, the Trustees of the Shiloh Cemetery Restoration Corporation are happy to announce the problem has been resolved and all concrete removed!

We would like to thank the Peach County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and professionalism in handling this case. We want it known that anyone who disturbs, damages, or destroys anything within the boundaries of Shiloh Methodist Cemetery will answer for their choices. If the damage can be repaired, we would prefer that happens en lieu of prosecution...but don’t push it. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE DISRESPECT TO THOSE RESTING AT SHILOH.

In response to our post last date regarding the venomous Copperhead snakes encountered while volunteers were working:

The Shiloh Restoration Corporation Trustees respect and value each of your opinions, but understand this.

(1) There were multiple children and elderly people volunteering in the cemetery yesterday, and these snakes posed an immediate threat to their safety.

(2) Yes, education on identifying these types of snakes was conducted on site, so that avoidance may be accomplished in the future.

(3) As trustees responsible for the entire site, we take the safety of not only our volunteers, but our honored guests extremely seriously, and could be considered civilly liable for injuries which occur on site. Therefore, the snakes were safely dispatched to eliminate the immediate threat. Any non-venomous snakes discovered in the cemetery are left to do whatever snakes do from day to day, and have nothing to fear from our workers. When you have your own project, property and are personally responsible for the safety of those on site, you may do whatever you deem necessary at the time to resolve the matter your way. We respectfully ask that while we honor your opinion as to what we should have done at our project, that you respect our solution to our own problem. Thank you and have a wonderful Sunday.

- The Shiloh Restoration Corp. Trustees

You can see from the conditions OUTSIDE these family plot enclosures what a fine job our volunteers did today cleaning up our historic cemetery!

Pictured center:

SCV Camp #1399 Member Tony Selph with the newly installed veterans headstone for his 2nd Great Grandfather, Pvt. Thomas A. Johnson.

Surrounding Compatriot Selph are members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, SCV Mechanized Cavalry, and ladies from The Order of the Confederate Rose.

Second picture:

Direct and In-direct descendants of Pvt. Thomas A. Johnson.

BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES!