Civil War general's skull taken

Civil War general's skull taken; police say part of satanic ritual

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000624&slug=4028439

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The skull of a Civil War general known as an "evil genius" was stolen from his grave in a crime that authorities believe may be part of a satanic ritual.

The remains of Gen. Elisha Marshall were dug up between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the city's Mount Hope Cemetery, police said. Some bones were found near the grave site along with satanic symbols.

The grave robbery occurred during summer solstice - the day with the longest period of sunshine when police said they typically find evidence of satanic activities.

Marshall was born in Rochester in 1829 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He fought Indians in the West and fought in some of the bloodiest Civil War battles.

Marshall's unit fought in the second battle of Bull Run and at Fredericksburg. He was injured twice and was named a brigadier general for his bravery.

When Marshall was trying to organize the 14th New York Heavy Artillery regiment in Rochester, he managed to divert recruits from another regiment, leading a historian of the other regiment to describe him as an "evil genius."