Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Armistead L. Boothe

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead?  Armistead L. Boothe

In 1968 the Alexandria City Council passed a resolution for the condemnation of land for  the establishment of a historical park at Fort Ward.  The resolution included two adjoining properties, northeast of the park road, owned by Cassisus McKnight and Edward M. Robinson.   As the City’s “taking” moved forward Mr. McKnight and Mr. Robinson were represented by Armistead L. Boothe an attorney for the legal firm of Boothe, Dudley, Koontz, Blankingship and Stump of Alexandria.  

On May 2, 1968 Mr. Boothe wrote to Dayton Cook, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works asking for information on title reports and plat descriptions.  He also noted that “ I understand that part of these properties may be occupied by a family cemetery.  Would you kindly advise if this is be true and let me know if it poses any problems.  Specifically, does the City want to remove the bodies or will it keep the graveyard as part of the park”.

In 2010 the Fort Ward History Work Group requested information on this communication between Mr. Boothe and Mr. Cook.  The Office of the City Attorney indicated that the City finds no records of the correspondence.  Subsequent verbal and written requests to the Office of Historic Alexandria and City Council by the Fort Ward HIstory Work Group have not been replied to.