Private George Tupper

Private Tupper's record of burial in the 'Burial Registers for Military Posts, Camps, and Stations, 1768-1921' - Reads: 'Buried inside the Fort / Tupper, Geo. N. / 1 U.S. Arty [1 st U.S. Artillery] / Oct 6, 1873'

courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

A Soldier’s Story at Fort Jefferson

In 1873, Private George Tupper, a 22-year-old U.S. Army soldier, died at Fort Jefferson during a devastating yellow fever outbreak. More than 150 years later, National Park Service archeologists identified his original burial site within the walls of the fort — the only known service member buried there.

His story offers a personal connection to the people who lived, served, and died at Dry Tortugas.

Who Was Private George Tupper?

George Tupper was originally from Hyde Park, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in Boston on October 16, 1872, and joined Battery M, 1st U.S. Artillery.

Army records describe him as:

• 5 feet 8 inches tall
• Gray eyes
• Brown hair
• Fair complexion

When he enlisted, he listed his occupation as a “book binder.” A commanding officer later described him as an actor.

Tupper was stationed at Fort Jefferson during his first year of service.

 

A newspaper article in the Harrisburg Telegraph (Harrisburg, Pa.) dated October 18, 1873 (page 2) describing Private Tupper's burial inside Fort Jefferson due to an incoming hurricane.

NPS Photo

Yellow Fever at Fort Jefferson

In 1873, a yellow fever outbreak swept through the isolated island fort. Between August and October, 14 people died, including the hospital steward and matron.

Private Tupper died on October 6, 1873, just shy of completing his first year of service. He was the final death associated with that outbreak.

At the same time, a Category 3 hurricane approached the Dry Tortugas. The storm made burial in the post cemetery on a nearby island impossible.

Historical records state Tupper was buried in a “lime pit, near the parade,” and note that he was “the only remains buried within the fort limits.” While civilians were also interred within the parade grounds, Tupper is the only documented service member buried inside the fort’s walls.

He was later exhumed and likely reinterred at Fort Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.

 

The Discovery

In June 2024, National Park Service archeologists conducted a survey on the parade ground in preparation for the possible installation of a new radio tower. The work was required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which ensures federal agencies consider potential effects on historic properties before beginning projects.

Using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and limited excavation, archeologists identified subsurface features and documented intact archeological deposits.

While investigating one of those features, they identified an empty grave believed to be Tupper’s original burial site.

Although the area had long been considered heavily disturbed by past development, the survey revealed intact archeological resources.

 

Personal items discovered during the project.

National Park Service

Artifacts and Daily Life at the Fort

During the survey, archeologists recovered artifacts that help tell the story of life at Fort Jefferson in the 19th century. Personal artifacts identified during the survey offer insight into the daily lives of those who lived and served at Fort Jefferson.

a. Shell button (9.41mm), dates to no later than 1950
b. Shell button (15.34mm), dates to no later than 1950
c. Limestone marble
d. Brass Union General Service Button features 'spread eagle with shield, dates to 1820-1902
e. Brass fastener
f. Iron double D ring buckle
g. Porcelain button (10.74mm), dates to no earlier than 1840
h. Porcelain button (11.08mm), dates to no earlier than 1840
i. Porcelain button (11.00mm), dates to no earlier than 1840

 

Glass vessel fragments discovered in the excavation.

National Park Service

Recovered Glass Fragment Artifacts

Glass artifacts were also recovered during excavations at Fort Jefferson, representing a range of colors and forms. These fragments include both flat window glass and thicker vessel glass, suggesting a variety of uses on site. Differences in color and composition reflect common manufacturing techniques and materials from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

One notable find from excavation is a pale blue-green bottle fragment with beveled edges and the letters “ER’S” embossed on it. It has been identified as part of an Ayer’s Sarsaparilla bottle, a popular medicinal drink made between 1852 and 1870. Similar bottles have been found at Fort Jefferson before and are on display in the fort’s museum.

 

Why This Matters?

Archeological surveys are often completed before construction projects. While they may seem routine, they ensure that important cultural resources are identified and protected before ground is disturbed. The identification of Private Tupper’s burial site underscores the value of this work. More importantly, it allows Dry Tortugas National Park to share the story of a young soldier whose life — and death — became part of the fort’s history. Private George Tupper served less than a year at Fort Jefferson. His story now helps visitors understand the human experience behind the brick walls of the fort.