Of Bones and Skeletons: Battlefield Clean-Up During the American War of Independence

Battlefield clean-up is a topic rarely covered by modern historians, yet following almost any military engagement, there are corpses to dispose of. Who does that? Can we tell who buried whom? When? How many hours, days, months later? Where? Individually or in mass graves? In natural crevices? Lakes? Naked or dressed? Officers and other ranks together or separate? How long do they remain in the ground? Are they ever found? Who would dig them up and why? Can we identify them? What happens with the skeletons?

This talk by historian Robert A. Selig will address these and related questions concerning the disposal of human remains on eighteenth-century battle-fields along the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail from Boston to Yorktown.

Doors open at 5:00 pm; come early to view our exhibits! Talk begins at 5:45 pm.

$10 for CMCH members, $15 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served. Please let us know you’re coming by calling (860) 236-5621 x238 or emailing rsvp@chs.org.

Questions? Contact Natalie Belanger, Adult Programs Manager, at natalie_belanger@chs.org.

About the Speaker
Robert A. Selig is an independent historical consultant and author who serves as project historian to the National Park Service for the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail.

Image: George Moutard Woodward, “The beauties of War!” (S. W. Fores, 1799), Brown University Library