HARLAN, Ky. (AP) — A federal agency is stepping in to prevent a Revolutionary War soldier’s grave from sliding into the Cumberland River in eastern Kentucky.
News outlets report the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will spend between $3 million and $5 million to fix sinking ground at the historic Wix Howard Cemetery at Loyall, where Samuel Howard; his wife, Cloey; and their infant son are buried.
Earlier this year, a cave-in created a 5-foot shear within 18 inches of Howard’s grave.
Corps Deputy Project Manager Mike Wilson says engineers hope to remove the remains by the end of the year and return them after repairing the hillside.
Local historian James Green III tells the Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/2cVeaCG ) Howard witnessed the British surrender at Yorktown before helping settle Harlan County. He died in 1840.