Confederate Monument in Harrodsburg
Encyclopedia
The Confederate Monument in Harrodsburg, located at the entrance to Spring Hill Cemetery in Harrodsburg, Kentucky
, is a statue listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. It depicts a life-sized older Confederate cavalry
man standing ready.
The monument depicts Captain Gabe S. Alexander, who served in John Hunt Morgan
's 2nd Kentucky Cavalry. The pedestal has an engraved Southern Cross of Saint Andrew
, commonly called the Confederate battle flag, on its front. Below the cross lies the dedication plaque, and below that an engraved wreath
encircling a sword and scabbard
. On the rear is an engrave Third Confederate Flag in the midst of cannonballs and battle smoke. Also on the rear is a verse from the Bivouac of the Dead
, written by Kentuckian Theodore O'Hara
, which six other monuments in Kentucky also have a verse from. When dedicated in 1902 by the United Confederate Veterans
, speeches were made in favor of the Confederate cause and condemning revisionist history that defamed the Southern experience in the Civil War
.
The verse from The Bivouac of the Dead is:
Harrodsburg once saw Morgan's forces enter the town during the war. Instead of conflict, the town's ladies laid out a gigantic picnic on their lawns for the men, who had just raided through Glasgow
, Lebanon
, and Springfield
. The only other action Harrodsburg saw during the War was when Braxton Bragg
had his men withdraw from the Battle of Perryville
through the town.
On July 17, 1997, the Confederate Monument in Harrodsburg was one of sixty different monuments related to the Civil War in Kentucky placed on the National Register of Historic Places
, as part of the Civil War Monuments of Kentucky Multiple Property Submission. Harrodsburg's is one of 23 that were statues, of which eight were erected in cemeteries. The Beriah Magoffin Monument
, within Spring Hill Cemetery as well, is also part of the Civil War Monuments of Kentucky MPS.
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Harrodsburg is a city in and the county seat of Mercer County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 8,014 at the 2000 census. It is the oldest city in Kentucky.-History:...
, is a statue listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. It depicts a life-sized older Confederate cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
man standing ready.
The monument depicts Captain Gabe S. Alexander, who served in John Hunt Morgan
John Hunt Morgan
John Hunt Morgan was a Confederate general and cavalry officer in the American Civil War.Morgan is best known for Morgan's Raid when, in 1863, he and his men rode over 1,000 miles covering a region from Tennessee, up through Kentucky, into Indiana and on to southern Ohio...
's 2nd Kentucky Cavalry. The pedestal has an engraved Southern Cross of Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew , called in the Orthodox tradition Prōtoklētos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. The name "Andrew" , like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the 3rd or 2nd century BC. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him...
, commonly called the Confederate battle flag, on its front. Below the cross lies the dedication plaque, and below that an engraved wreath
Wreath
A wreath is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs and/or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring. They are used typically as Christmas decorations to symbolize the coming of Christ, also known as the Advent season in Christianity. They are also used as festive headdresses...
encircling a sword and scabbard
Scabbard
A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, knife, or other large blade. Scabbards have been made of many materials over the millennia, including leather, wood, and metals such as brass or steel.-Types of scabbards:...
. On the rear is an engrave Third Confederate Flag in the midst of cannonballs and battle smoke. Also on the rear is a verse from the Bivouac of the Dead
Bivouac of the Dead
The Bivouac of the Dead is a poem written by Theodore O'Hara to honor his fellow soldiers from Kentucky who died in the Mexican-American War...
, written by Kentuckian Theodore O'Hara
Theodore O'Hara
Theodore O'Hara was a poet and an officer for the United States Army in the Mexican-American War, and a Confederate colonel in the American Civil War...
, which six other monuments in Kentucky also have a verse from. When dedicated in 1902 by the United Confederate Veterans
United Confederate Veterans
The United Confederate Veterans, also known as the UCV, was a veteran's organization for former Confederate soldiers of the American Civil War, and was equivalent to the Grand Army of the Republic which was the organization for Union veterans....
, speeches were made in favor of the Confederate cause and condemning revisionist history that defamed the Southern experience in the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
The verse from The Bivouac of the Dead is:
- To fight in a just cause and for our country's glory is the best office of the best men.
Harrodsburg once saw Morgan's forces enter the town during the war. Instead of conflict, the town's ladies laid out a gigantic picnic on their lawns for the men, who had just raided through Glasgow
Glasgow, Kentucky
Glasgow is a city in and the county seat of Barren County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 14,200 at the 2000 census. The city is well-known for its annual Scottish Highland Games. In 2007, Barren County was named the number one rural place to live by Progressive Farmer magazine...
, Lebanon
Lebanon, Kentucky
Lebanon is a city in Marion County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,331 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Marion County. Lebanon is located in central Kentucky, southeast of Louisville. A national cemetery is located nearby....
, and Springfield
Springfield, Kentucky
Springfield is a city in and county seat of Washington County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,634 at the 2000 census. It was established in 1793 and probably named for springs in the area.-Geography:...
. The only other action Harrodsburg saw during the War was when Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg was a career United States Army officer, and then a general in the Confederate States Army—a principal commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War and later the military adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.Bragg, a native of North Carolina, was...
had his men withdraw from the Battle of Perryville
Battle of Perryville
The Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills, was fought on October 8, 1862, in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, Kentucky, as the culmination of the Confederate Heartland Offensive during the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi won a...
through the town.
On July 17, 1997, the Confederate Monument in Harrodsburg was one of sixty different monuments related to the Civil War in Kentucky placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, as part of the Civil War Monuments of Kentucky Multiple Property Submission. Harrodsburg's is one of 23 that were statues, of which eight were erected in cemeteries. The Beriah Magoffin Monument
Beriah Magoffin Monument
The Beriah Magoffin Monument, in Spring Hill Cemetery of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, commemorates Beriah Magoffin, who was governor of Kentucky when the Civil War started...
, within Spring Hill Cemetery as well, is also part of the Civil War Monuments of Kentucky MPS.