BILOXI — Memorial Day ceremonies in Biloxi include the burial of four unknown soldiers whose remains were found during an archaeological dig in Jackson County.

The remains were found by University of Southern Mississippi faculty and students at Greenwood Island in East Pascagoula. The area was the site of Camp Jefferson Davis at the end of the Spainish-American War in 1898. The four unidentified soldiers will join two others who were found within 20 yards of them in 1979.

WLOX reported that plans for Monday morning's ceremony at Biloxi National Cemetery included the arrival of the bodies on horse-drawn caissons with 19th Century style coffins draped in period flags.

"Camp Jefferson Davis represents one era in Gulf Coast history that receives little recognition," said Dr. Marie Danforth, a professor of anthropology at USM.

The remains were found buried in cypress wood coffins, and were identified by Southern Miss researchers as males of European descent between the ages of 18 and 30. Researchers were able to determine the skeletons were veterans returning from the Mexican-American War in 1848. Buttons found on the soldiers' remains helped determine their origin.

Southern Miss researchers have concluded that 90 soldiers died on Greenwood Island. Almost half of those remains have been identified.

Read more about Memorial Day celebrations around Northeast Mississippi in Tuesday's NEMS Daily Journal newspaper. The staff of NEMS360.com and the NEMS Daily Journal wish you a happy and safe Memorial Day. We ask you to join with us in remembering those who paid for our freedom with their lives and those who continue to serve to maintain that freedom.