Tombstones toppled in Confederate soldiers' cemetery: 'It takes a very low moral person to do that

Tombstones were found toppled in a Georgia cemetery where Confederate soldiers are buried, WTVC-TV reported.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

American flags were also ripped apart at Nathan Anderson Cemetery in Ringgold — and a Confederate flag was stolen, the station said.

Ronald Lee Eslinger, commander of Camp 2209 Sons of Confederate Veterans, told WTVC he can't "understand anybody wanting to come in here and do this. It takes a very low moral person to do that." He got a call about the vandalism Sunday morning, WRCB-TV reported.

Ronald Lee Eslinger (Image source: YouTube screenshot)

"There’s several broken tombstones and several that have been knocked over," Eslinger added to the station as he walked around the hillside.

Members of Eslinger's family are buried in the cemetery, WTVC said, and he's been dedicated to its upkeep. The Sons of Confederate Veterans are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the vandalism, the station reported.

Not just for Confederate soldiers...

Also buried at Nathan Anderson Cemetery are Native Americans, slaves and Union soldiers as well, WTVC said, adding that an archaeological survey four years ago revealed unmarked graves of 70 to 80 Union soldiers. Eslinger told the station those plots are marked with American flags.

He added that vandals didn't target Confederate soldiers but rather showed a lack of respect for the military, WTVC reported.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Eslinger said the damage will cost $2,500, WRBC noted.

“This is somebody's loved ones, and it will break somebody's heart," he added to the station. "I know it broke mine."

(H/T: The American Mirror)