This is what is written on the bottom of the monument
Listed here are the names of the Officers , listed men , and the conscripts of the Armies of the Confederate States of American who died of smallpox near this spot between Aug. 1, 1863 and March 31, 1865. These soldiers contracted the disease while been held prisoners of War at the Federal Military located across the Mississippi River in Alton Illinois.
Once infected with highly contagious disease, prisoners was transported to a temporary hospital located on a small Island formerly located immediately up stream of this Monument. There each of these men stoically succumbed to the effects of the disease. For 70 years following the War between the States, the precise location of these soldiers graves was unknown. Then in 1935 a portion of the cemetery was inadvertently discovered during construction of the original lock and dam 26. Today the remains of the Southern Patriots rest beneath the regulation pool of the Melvin Price Lock and Dam. This monument is dedicated to their sacrifice and memory.
The following civilians also fell victim to the epidemic and buried on the Island
Thomas Bradford died Mar. 5, 1865 , Howard Co. Mo.
Oliver Coleman died Mar. 8, 1865 , Carter Co. Mo.
James Kingston died Jan. 27, 1865 , Montgomery Co. Mo
Frances Weise died Jan 25, 1864
Thomas Carpenter died Feb. 26,1865 , Jackson Co. Mo.
William Craddock died Jan 21, 1864 , Laclede Co. Mo.
James L. Knight died Aug. 16, 1863 , Davidson Co. Tenn.
John White died Feb 27,1865 , Benton , Texas
John Cathaday died Sept 28, 1863 , Butler Co. Mo.
James Daniels died Sept 12, 1863 , Reynolds Co. Mo.
Dr. James Maness died Mar. 25, 1864 , Carter Co. Mo.
J.C Wills died Feb 26, 1865 , Jackson Co. Ark.
William Coble died Sept.13, 1863 , Memphis, Tenn.
Barbara A. Dunevant died Sept 28, 1863 , Memphis Tenn.
Lewis C.Shick died Sept 13, 1863, Chicago, Ill.
James S. Wilson died Mar 5, 1865, Howard Co. Mo.
